Edge Computing, AI, and the Future of Retail Innovation – Powered by the Mako 6700

Retail technology is evolving at breakneck speed. In-store experiences now span EV charging, retail media networks, touchscreen ordering, digital signage, and customer Wi‑Fi—while payment innovation continues with AI‑assisted self‑checkout, biometrics, and RFID. Each of these advances depends on fast, secure, and resilient connectivity. As device counts soar and milliseconds matter, retailers are embracing edge computing and AI to process data closer to the source, improve responsiveness, and strengthen security. 

Mako Networks has been building the secure foundation for these experiences for years. Our latest edge platform—the Mako 6700—brings next‑level performance, modular connectivity, and AI‑ready capabilities to modern retail networks. 

The Bandwidth & Security Crunch in Retail 

Today’s stores don’t just sell snacks and fuel; they function as digital hubs. EV chargers require real‑time connectivity for payments and monitoring. Retail media networks stream high‑definition content to screens throughout the day. Ordering kiosks and cloud POS update menus and transact in real time. Customer Wi‑Fi adds another layer of traffic and risk. At the same time, payment and loyalty systems handle sensitive customer data that must be protected without fail. 

Three realities define the challenge: 

• More endpoints, more traffic: Device counts and data volumes are rising, from cameras and sensors to self‑checkout and digital signage. 

• Latency matters: Personalization, fraud detection, and payment approvals often need sub‑second decisions. 

• Security is non‑negotiable: PCI DSS compliance and zero‑trust principles are indispensable as networks expand and threats evolve. 

Why Edge Computing (and AI) Belong in the Store 

Edge computing brings computation and decision‑making closer to where data is generated—often inside the store. By reducing back‑and‑forth trips to the cloud, edge architecture can: 

• Deliver real‑time responsiveness: Promotions and prices update instantly based on inventory, time of day, or local context. 

• Maintain operations during outages: Critical services like payment and self‑checkout continue when the internet connection blips. 

• Enhance privacy and security: Sensitive data (e.g., biometric identifiers) can be analyzed locally, minimizing exposure and attack surface. 

AI at the edge amplifies these benefits. Lightweight models detect anomalies at self‑checkout, optimize digital signage content by time and weather, flag charger issues before downtime, and streamline inventory tasks—without shipping every frame or transaction to the cloud. 

Meet the Mako 6700: Built for Modern Retail 

The Mako 6700 is engineered to power bandwidth‑hungry experiences, secure payments, and edge AI workloads across convenience, fuel, specialty retail, and QSR environments. It’s the evolution of our field‑proven platforms, designed to help retailers scale confidently. 

Key enhancements include: 

• AI Integration: Optimized for edge AI processing tasks such as video pre‑processing, anomaly detection, and local decisioning—reducing bandwidth costs and cloud dependency while improving responsiveness. 

• Virtualization Capabilities: Deploy software into secure virtual containers on the 6700 for rapid rollouts—no extra infrastructure required. Run edge services close to the action, store local backups, and simplify lifecycle management. 

• Expanded Connectivity Options: Fiber, satellite, 5G, and more—choose the access technologies that fit each site. Mix and match primary and failover links to maintain uptime and performance across diverse geographies. 

• High Performance: Boosted throughput, processing, and memory to handle today’s 30+ devices per store—and tomorrow’s growth—with the headroom needed for HD video streaming, cloud POS, and AI‑assisted applications. 

• Advanced Security: Built‑in, automated intrusion detection and prevention to outsmart evolving, AI‑driven threats. The platform supports zero‑trust principles and segmentation to isolate payment, IoT, and guest traffic, aligning with PCI DSS goals and best practices. 

What the Mako 6700 Enables – Practical Use Cases 

AI‑Assisted Self‑Checkout & Loss Prevention
Use local AI to detect item misplacements or unusual behaviors in real time—reducing shrink and false positives. Keep the checkout experience fast while minimizing data sent off‑site. 

Dynamic Pricing & Retail Media Personalization
Retail media networks can use AI to adjust ad content in real time based on customer demographics or weather conditions. 

Predictive Maintenance for EV Charging
Run edge models that monitor charger health and usage patterns. Flag issues early, trigger service workflows, and keep stations available. Payments process reliably with resilient connectivity and segmentation that protects sensitive data. 

Operational Continuity for Cloud POS
When the WAN hiccups, the Mako 6700 keeps priority services running. Segment traffic so POS and payments stay insulated from guest Wi‑Fi and IoT devices, reducing risk and maintaining transaction speed. 

Secure Guest Wi‑Fi without Compromise
Offer fast, reliable Wi‑Fi with strict isolation from payment and back‑of‑house systems. Enforce zero‑trust access controls at every node to comply with security requirements. 

Security & Compliance, Built In 

Security must scale with innovation. The Mako 6700 is designed to help retailers: 

• Segment networks by function: Separate payment, IoT, media, and guest traffic with policy‑driven controls. 

• Apply zero‑trust principles: Authenticate and authorize every device and user—no implicit trust. 

• Automate threat detection: Use built‑in IDS/IPS to identify and block emerging, AI‑driven threats. 

• Support PCI DSS objectives: Reduce scope with strong segmentation and local processing for sensitive workflows. 

These capabilities help protect PII and cardholder data while keeping operations smooth and compliant. 

A Smarter Path to Deployment 

Retail rollouts demand speed and simplicity. The Mako 6700’s virtualization streamlines deployment: 

• Rapid software delivery: Push edge services and updates to secure containers—no additional servers required. 

• Local resilience: Maintain site‑level backups and policies to withstand network interruptions. 

• Centralized control: Manage configurations, policies, and telemetry at scale across hundreds or thousands of locations. 

Future-proofing Your Network 

Edge computing and AI have moved from buzzwords to essential building blocks of retail. The Mako 6700 gives you the flexibility to adopt new payment methods, scale retail media networks, add EV charging, and roll out AI‑enhanced experiences—without sacrificing security or resilience. 

Start with the foundation: 

• Prioritize segmentation and zero‑trust for payments and POS. 

• Deploy AI‑ready edge infrastructure where latency and privacy matter most. 

• Balance edge processing with cloud analytics for strategic insights. 

With the Mako 6700, you’ll be ready for what’s next—whether that’s 5G expansion, new computer‑vision use cases, or the next wave of retail personalization. 

Ready to Stay Ahead?  

Build your network on the Mako 6700 and turn edge computing and AI into measurable outcomes: faster checkouts, smarter content, lower bandwidth costs, and stronger security. 

Questions? Let’s talk: 
Phone: 800.851.4691 (opt 2) 
Email: sales@makonetworks.com