Dallas-based Theatro has announced a new partnership with Honeywell dedicated to creating joint Software as a Service solutions intended to empower the in-store workforce. Per the agreement, Honeywell is able to resell Theatro’s SaaS subscription services in order to complement its ‘In-Store Connected Retail Solution Portfolio.’

Theatro—named one of the 2019 Best Tech Startups in Richardson by The Tech Tribune—calls itself a pioneer of the world’s first voice-controlled mobile enterprise app platform for the hourly workforce. Theatro works with retailers to bring IoT, wearables, and voice applications together through an SaaS offering to optimize the performance of employees, sales, and operations.

New Jersey-headquartered Honeywell is a Fortune 100 software-industrial company that creates technology solutions globally for a variety of industries, from aerospace to manufacturing to supply chains. Honeywell aims to provide products that improve workplace productivity, safety, and performance.

“This partnership between Theatro and Honeywell will enable retailers to build enterprise-wide communications and collaboration networks to get the best out of their hourly workforce.”
Chris Todd

In partnering, the two companies will provide users with high-quality voice communications on Wi-Fi networks when using the Theatro Communicator, a voice-controlled computer, or the Honeywell Mobility Edge, a unified platform for all mobile computers.

“Building an efficient and rewarding in-store experience requires substantial collaboration among store associates and in-store systems,” said Chris Todd, CEO of Theatro, in a statement. “This partnership between Theatro and Honeywell will enable retailers to build enterprise-wide communications and collaboration networks to get the best out of their hourly workforce.”

Theatro will optimize its mobile application software to work on all Honeywell mobile products, according to a press release.

Theatro’s products are intended to enable in-store personnel’s engagement, informativeness, and efficiency. So, because of the partnership, those using Honeywell devices could leverage Theatro applications to complete day-to-day tasks, like collaborating with colleagues or quickly accessing enterprise information systems.

According to the two companies, workers will then be able to more effectively respond to customers’ inquiries, without ever disengaging.

“Today’s brick-and-mortar retail operations must deliver on customer demand for a seamless experience with reduced staff and increased competition,” Peter Howes, president of Honeywell’s Productivity Products business, said in a statement. “Honeywell’s hardware combined with Theatro’s proven software will help associates provide the right information at the right time, providing immediate satisfaction to customers.”

At the National Retail Federation’s Big Show on Jan. 13-15, Honeywell and Theatro offered a first look of the joint solutions with live demonstrations.

Other North Texas NRF 2019 participants included AT&T, Kibo, Spacee, Glass-Media, Symphony RetailAI, McAfee, NTT Data Services, and Revolution Retail Systems.

Theatro is a “startup to watch”

Theatro was founded in 2012, but has made major headlines in recent months.

In August, the company was named one of the 10 hot AI-powered IoT startups by Network World. The article stated that Theatro’s approximately $9 million in funding, combined with its strong leadership team, made it a “startup to watch.”

Then, in September, the International Data Corporation (IDC) named Theatro as one of four IDC Innovators that have developed new wearable software solutions, specifically recognizing its voice-controlled mobile app platform.

Hourly service workers can be slowed down when carrying devices, so Theatro’s “heads up, hands free” solutions provide an AI-powered virtual assistant that can be accessed via voice commands. And it must be working—Theatro has landed some big-name customers.

“Our unique enterprise solution has helped retailers like The Container Store, Neiman Marcus Last Call, and Total Wine & More to better serve the needs of employees, managers and customers alike,” Todd told IDC, “and we look forward to helping more retailers realize the benefits of hands-free wearable connectivity.”