Improved registers come to the Misawa commissary

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stefanie Torres
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Customers at the Misawa Air Base commissary can expect an improved level of service after workers installed the newest advanced technology for the store. 

The Commissary Advance Resale Transaction System (CARTS) is designed to replace the Defense Commissary Agency's aging system of cash registers, according to Mr. Jack Younger, store director at Misawa. 

These state-of-the-art checkout stations were literally put in overnight and will significantly reduce the amount of time at the register and increase safety. 

"The belts are automatic and items are scanned at 360 degrees versus having to show the label one way," said Mr. Younger. "This technology will decrease wait time in the store by 50 percent." 

These new scanners will also detect any recalled items on the market making it safer for consumers. 

"If the item is recalled, the system will see it and the customer will not be able to buy the product," said Mr. Younger. "This will protect our people." 

Hand-held scanners were also installed for those individuals buying bulk items. 

"Lifting is not required for bigger items because the hand-held scanner can reach," he said. "This will reduce any back or leg injuries." 

The registers in the front of the store also have a new electronic check conversion feature that will read the check and the information is transferred electronically to the bank 

"When a customer wants to write a check, the scanner will process it from their bank account and we can give the check right back to them," he said. 

A new 15-inch, color screen monitor allows the customer to view their purchases while blocking out side and over-the-shoulder views to help maintain privacy on all registers.
Staff members have completed training for the new registers and will be there to assist shoppers with using the two self-check-out lines at the commissary. 

"Employees will be there to help with any produce items or any issues. They are all fully qualified for the new machines at Misawa," said Mr. Younger. 

The most noticeable improvements with CARTS is self-checkout registers. 

"Our self-checkout registers feature a quick look-up menu that has pictures of all produce items in the store," he said. 

The commissary has also installed two price-scanning machines so prices can be seen before reaching the register. One is located on the dairy isle and the other is on the pole before the freezer isle. 

"Now if people get confused at the different prices, they don't have to go very far to find a clerk," he said. 

Misawa is the last base in Japan to receive the new check-out stations. The next overseas bases to receive the machines are in Korea.