XBLUE Consulting was founded in 2005 by John Cross who is a specialist in European retail. He worked for IBM where he was responsible for finding and bringing to market in EMEA, new retail technologies and solutions. John was responsible for developing and implementing, for IBM, its highly successful strategies in Europe for Chip and Pin, Self Checkout, Kiosk, Electronic Shelf Label and bar code scanners and many other store-based technologies. John was formerly IT Director of Somerfield Stores. He is immensely experienced in directing and managing major IT functions, including development, services and communications in a dynamic, fast-moving environment. He is practised in developing and implementing practical and effective IT strategies and has a consistent track record of on-time, on-budget project delivery. XBLUE Consulting has extensive knowledge and experience of retail technologies including:- Point of Sale (EPOS)- Chip & Pin payment solutions- Self-service Kiosk solutions- Self Checkout (SCO)- Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL)- Bar code scanners- Cash drawers- Keyboards- Monitors- Digital signage