Transact Campus ID and Commerce Case Study

The University of Pittsburgh and Transact Campus 

The University of Pittsburgh is a public research university with campuses in five cities in Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Johnstown, Bradford, and Titusville. The university has over 33,000 enrolled students.  

Today, Pitt offers a diverse range of Transact services, each designed to enhance the university experience. These products include Transact TSE, Transact Online Photo Submission, Transact Cloud POS, Transact Registers, Transact Kiosks, Transact Mobile Ordering with Just Walk Out technology by Amazon, Transact Off-Campus Merchant Solutions, and more. 

Transact Mobile Ordering integration built for higher education 

At Pitt, they are committed to meeting the evolving needs of our students. Julie Bannister echoed this: "Over the last few years, we have found that students are more on their phones anyway. So, implementing Transact Mobile Ordering with contactless operations, the Amazon Just Walk Out market, and many other products are also leading toward future implementations." This is Pitt's way of ensuring that they are always one step ahead in meeting the needs of their students. 

Transact’s Mobile Ordering app is designed to meet the specific needs of retail operations in higher education. The University of Pittsburgh maintains complete control over the student experience, and the app showcases Pitt's branding.  

Over 19,000 students use the app to order food, pay, and pick up at 28 dining spots. But it's not just for students. Pitt’s staff and faculty also benefits from Transact's solutions. They can use Transact Cloud POS and Mobile Ordering to manage transactions, pricing, items, and reporting all in one place. This system allows them to handle all these tasks simultaneously, providing a convenient way for staff to oversee various aspects of their operations. 

Transact Mobile Ordering isn't just about convenience; it's a smart business move for the University of Pittsburgh. With its wide adoption, Pitt has experienced a significant boost in revenue. Since its launch in 2021, the app has generated over 10 million dollars in sales, marking a staggering 183% year-over-year growth. These numbers testify to Mobile Ordering's success and impact on the university's operations. 

Transact Mobile Ordering has integrated with Amazon to bring frictionless shopping to Pittsburgh University 

Students, faculty, and staff don't need to stand in line to check out at The Market at Towers dining facility using Transact's Mobile Ordering app with Just Walk Out technology by Amazon. Pitt students can scan their Transact Mobile Ordering app at a turnstile to enter the Market at Towers 24/7, choose items, and leave without waiting in line to pay.  

Launched in August 2023, this location has the highest traffic of all Mobile Ordering locations, with 62,366 orders to date in 2024. 

Just Walk Out technology by Amazon, a cutting-edge system that utilizes advanced cameras and sensors, is now at Pitt student's fingertips. This technology allows the user to enter The Market at Towers on the Oakland campus 24/7 by scanning your Transact Mobile Ordering app at a turnstile. Once inside, they can choose items and leave without waiting in line to pay. The system automatically detects the items you take and charges your stored value accounts accordingly, making your shopping experience simple and easy. 

With the implementation of the Just Walk Out technology, the University of Pittsburgh is changing the way students shop. This autonomous market significantly streamlines the purchasing process by removing the need for traditional checkout lines, reducing wait times and congestion in campus stores, and leading to smoother operations. 

Not only does the Just Walk Out technology enhance the shopping experience for our students, but it also brings financial benefits to Pitt. The new technology allows the University of Pittsburgh to maximize staffing and reallocate their duties previously serving as cashiers. Moreover, the automated system reduces the risk of human transaction error, potentially saving money in the long run. 

In Campus ID News recent article, Julie mentioned that implementing “Just Walk Out technology by Amazon has allowed us to reallocate our staffing matrix, removing the traditional cashier and creating Customer Ambassadors. Our staff is now more mobile to stock the store and interact with patrons."  

The University of Pittsburgh gathers data on purchasing habits and popular items, which helps staff make informed decisions about the performance of The Market at Towers on the Oakland campus. Julie says, "Just Walk Out technology by Amazon’s analytics portal provides valuable insight into customer behavior and shopping habits, allowing for a next-generation approach to store programming." 

Pitt's sales have been increasing daily since they opened. This growth is not just a result of the innovative technology, but also the positive feedback from students. Their feedback was instrumental in the decision to open a second location at Pitt's Petersen Events Center, demonstrating the university's and Transact's commitment to meeting student needs.