General Growth Properties, one of the
nation’s larger shopping mall owners, developers and managers, said it will
deploy a nationwide digital broadband cable infrastructure from Cisco Systems Inc. to link individual
retailers in its regional malls.
GGP said its Internet Protocol (IP)-based broadband cable initiative will
provide a variety of high-speed communication and value-added interactive
services to retailers.
The company’s Cisco-based cable network announcement is part of the first
phase of GGP’s e-business initiative introduced in March.
“As a pioneer in the convergence of traditional retail with the digital
marketplace, GGP is taking advantage of the power of Internet technology by
making the strategic decision to deploy cable networks ” said John
Bucksbaum, chief executive officer of General Growth Properties.
“With IP-based networks from
Cisco, GGP will enhance conventional retailing with new Internet
capabilities, creating unprecedented opportunities for retailers.”
GGP said the new network will provide retailers with the latest data, video
and voice communication tools to conduct business. Retailers will have the
ability to process business data transactions at high speeds; employ
broadcast-quality video applications linked directly to their point-of-sales
terminals, in-store kiosks and computers; conduct video surveillance for
in-store merchandising, loss prevention and consumer response; and transmit
high-quality voice-over the IP platform. Retailers will also be able to
conduct online training courses for employees nationwide.
Financial arrangements with Cisco were not disclosed.
“GGP’s vision of converging online and off-line retailing shows a strong
commitment to bringing the advantages of broadband cable applications to
retailers,” said Kevin Kennedy, vice president of Cisco System’s service
provider line of business.