Editor’s note: Today’s blog post comes from Hector Salgado, Customer Engineer at Woolpert. In this blog Hector shares how Vertex AI Search for retail seamlessly integrates with Google Maps Platform to elevate the retail experience for customers.
I represent Woolpert, a proud partner of Google, specializing in strategic consulting across architecture, engineering, and geospatial services. Our mission is to tailor solutions to address the unique challenges faced by our clients. Within Woolpert, you'll find Woolpert Digital Innovations, a specialized division dedicated to bridging the realms of location intelligence and technology. As a global leader in architecture, engineering, and geospatial services, Woolpert Digital Innovations leverages its expertise in geospatial data and cloud solutions to elevate Google Maps Platform and Cloud projects across industries like retail, transportation, and real estate. By harmonizing geospatial understanding with cutting-edge technology, we empower businesses to unlock insights, optimize operations, and thrive in the digital era.
In January 2023, the annual National Retail Federation (NRF) conference–the largest gathering of retailers in the US–brought together over 6,200 brands in New York City. For many, it was a chance to discover innovative ideas and equip themselves with knowledge to propel retail forward. At the event Google shared several enhancements in Vertex AI Search for retail (formerly known as Discovery AI), a solution that offers new ways to enhance the retail experience for both consumers and businesses. We seized the opportunity to develop a demo centered around Vertex AI Search for retail.
Our aim was to showcase how the integration of Google Maps Platform with Vertex AI enriches the retail application, enhancing customer satisfaction through optimized navigation and personalized experiences. As Google partners deeply immersed in Google Cloud products, we viewed this as a chance to highlight our capabilities by pioneering innovative solutions that can reshape the digital retail landscape.
More about the demo
In the demo, John starts by seeking advice on tennis gear, and the AI assistant expertly guides him through recommendations—checking local availability, and even handling color preferences. Ordering through the retailers and receiving customized pick up instructions with walking directions is just the icing on the cake. But the experience goes beyond shopping. John, curious about the nearby courts, asks the AI to identify some court locations. Markers conveniently pop up on a map, and with a single click, each court comes alive with Street View imagery. John can virtually explore the facilities, find the perfect court for his tennis match, and plot his route—all within a seamless conversation. This example isn't just about buying tennis gear—it's about showcasing the power of AI to anticipate needs, personalized experiences, and bridge the online-offline gap. It's a glimpse into a future where shopping and exploration blend together effortlessly.
Why we were interested in Vertex AI Search for retail
Often stressful and exhausting, shopping can feel like a treasure hunt for the perfect item. Browsing for ideas is one thing, but when you have a specific need, navigating endless choices and conflicting opinions can be daunting. This is where Vertex AI Search for retail steps in, powered by robust Google-quality search, browsing, and recommendation engines. Fueled by natural language processing (NLP), Vertex AI enhances your shopping journey by making targeted product searches a breeze. Retailers can seamlessly integrate conversational product search, which uses LLM driven conversations to efficiently help shoppers find the right products for their exact needs. Traditional research can be overwhelming, but with Vertex AI, you simply ask the chatbot. Large language models (LLMs), custom-tuned to each retailer's unique catalog, dramatically improve product surfacing, ranking potential items based on your search terms. The power lies in its versatility. While broad questions are commonplace, Vertex AI Search for retail shines in its ability to deliver unique, niche recommendations for your specific needs, all within seconds.
Why we integrated Vertex AI Search with Google Maps Platform
We’re particularly fascinated by Vertex AI Search’s potential to bridge the gap between online browsing and offline fulfillment. Imagine scenarios where users, instead of grappling with dreaded shipping fees or urgent delivery needs, effortlessly locate nearby stores with desired items directly within the shopping platform. Current location-based inventory displays, while helpful, leave much to be desired in terms of an adequate user experience.
Integrating Google Maps Platform with Vertex AI Search empowers customers to seamlessly ask chatbots for the closest stores with their desired item, while simultaneously requesting directions. No more bouncing between apps, navigating multiple interfaces, or enduring back and forth exchanges. This is where the Routes API and Dynamic Maps can shine, streamlining the customer's user experience with retail. But the capabilities extend far beyond the basic functionality it offers. Vertex AI Search enables users to delve deeper into Google Maps Platform capabilities through conversational interactions, such as accessing store open hours, photos, reviews, and more. Asking for precise directions, virtually touring potential stores via Street View, or even requesting nearby restaurant recommendations, utilizing Places API, for a post-shopping spree.
The possibilities are truly boundless. By fully utilizing the capabilities that Google Maps Platform has to offer, combined with the intelligence of Vertex AI Search, the evolution of retail will be headed towards a direction where both the customer and the enterprise implementing the AI will exceed satisfaction like no other.
The future of retail
The future of retail is here, and it's powered by intelligent assistants, intuitive technology, and the human touch. When Vertex AI and Google Maps Platform take center stage, we embrace a world where shopping transcends mere transactions, and becomes a rich, personalized, adventure for both consumers and businesses alike. For more information, contact Woolpert to explore how we can integrate Google Maps Platform and Vertex AI Search for retail and for more possibilities this integration offers.
For more information on Google Maps Platform, visit our website.
