HPE Aruba Networking Doubles Down on Security-First, AI-Powered Networks With Innovations for Retailers’ IoT Data Collection and Edge Processing

Rhea-AI Summary

HPE Aruba Networking has announced new capabilities to enhance retail customer experiences and operational efficiency through improved connectivity and edge computing solutions. The company introduced several key innovations at NRF 2025:

The expanded portfolio includes the 100 Series Cellular Bridge for backup WAN access, the CX 8325H store-friendly switch, and 750 Series wireless access points for IoT data processing. New Central AI Insights optimize curbside operations and detect security anomalies.

HPE is also expanding its Central IoT Operations dashboard, featuring pre-built third-party applications from retail partners. The company showcased partnerships with various IoT solutions providers, including Hanshow, Simbe, SOLUM, VusionGroup, and Zebra Technologies, offering solutions ranging from electronic shelf labels to autonomous item-scanning robots.

Positive

• Introduction of new Cellular Bridge providing backup connectivity for critical services
• Launch of store-friendly CX 8325H switch with reduced power requirements
• Implementation of AI-powered security features for IoT device protection
• Expansion of IoT partner ecosystem with major retail solution providers

Negative

• None.

Insights

Market Research Analyst

The launch of HPE Aruba Networking's retail-focused solutions represents an incremental but not transformative development for HPE. While the new portfolio addresses critical retail pain points around IoT security, network reliability and edge computing, these enhancements are evolutionary rather than revolutionary in the networking space. The timing aligns with the retail industry's increasing adoption of IoT devices and AI applications, but the immediate revenue impact is likely to be modest.

The most compelling aspect is the integration with HPE GreenLake Cloud and edge computing solutions, particularly the new ProLiant DL145 Gen11 server. This creates a comprehensive ecosystem that could help HPE capture a larger share of retail IT spending. The expanded IoT partner ecosystem, including players like Simbe and VusionGroup, strengthens HPE's competitive position against rivals like Cisco and Dell in the retail vertical.

Key metrics to watch:

• Adoption rate among existing retail customers
• Revenue contribution from new IoT partnerships
• Market share gains in retail networking segment

Tech Expert

From a technical standpoint, the new product lineup addresses several critical challenges in retail networking infrastructure. The 100 Series Cellular Bridge provides essential redundancy for mission-critical operations, while the CX 8325H switch's compact form factor and reduced power requirements make it particularly suitable for space-constrained retail environments.

The integration of AI-powered insights for curbside operations and IoT security monitoring demonstrates HPE's commitment to leveraging artificial intelligence for practical applications. However, the real differentiator is the comprehensive security approach, with built-in protections against IoT-based threats and automatic anomaly detection.

For retail IT teams, these solutions reduce complexity through unified management across on-premises, cloud and edge environments. The pre-built third-party applications through the IoT Operations dashboard streamline deployment and management, though the actual performance improvements will depend on specific implementation scenarios.

Helps IT teams secure and manage retail environments with new connectivity solutions to bolster IoT security, while improving user experience and operational efficiency

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show – Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE: HPE) today announced new capabilities to help retail customers improve customer experiences and operational efficiency with connectivity and high-performance edge computing required to modernize retail environments.

At NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show, HPE Aruba Networking is showcasing its retail-ready networking portfolio and demonstrating how reliable and secure connectivity is a critical component of retail modernization from the back office and warehouse, to the front of the store and curbside.

HPE is exhibiting its new solutions for quick, secure deployment in retail environments to improve performance for real-time applications and workloads at the edge. The expanded portfolio includes:

• New HPE Aruba Networking 100 Series Cellular Bridge for easy-to-deploy primary or backup WAN access to provide connectivity when fiber or broadband WAN circuits are unavailable or experience failure. The Cellular Bridge provides customers with better resiliency for mission critical services such as credit card processing, leveraging radio access rather than fiber access. It can also be used for quick deployment of new or temporary locations, like kiosks or pop-up locations, when delays or costs of cabling a broadband WAN connection are not justifiable.
• HPE Aruba Networking CX 8325H, a new store-friendly, half-width 18-port switch that fits into compact spaces, with lower power and cooling requirements, and connects with the HPE ProLiant DL145 Gen11 server for edge computing.
• HPE Aruba Networking 750 Series wireless access points to secure, process, and deliver IoT data in real-time to power AI retail applications.
• New HPE Aruba Networking Central AI Insights that optimize retail curbside operations by increasing performance of Wi-Fi networks when deployed outdoors and can also detect unusual IoT behavior that indicates a potential security breach.

As retailers focus on customer experience that spans in-store and online transactions, it becomes more critical that passerby traffic does not interfere with customer transactions. HPE Aruba Networking Central AI Insights detects any negative impact on the customer experience and can automatically adjust transmit settings to remedy poor performance.

For the retail industry, IoT devices are often the most vulnerable point of entry for hackers. To protect against breaches and malware, HPE Aruba Networking access points are designed to provide a secure connectivity platform for the increase in IoT devices at the network edge, such as cameras, shelf labels, RFID labels, energy sensors and motion detectors. To protect against security compromises due to IoT devices, HPE Aruba Networking Central AI Insights is also able to detect anomalies in IoT uploads and downloads which may be indicative of a breach.

“Retailers facing challenges in warehousing, inventory control, and omnichannel fulfilment need comprehensive and secure connectivity to enable digital modernization and enhance customer experiences,” said Stuart Strickland, wireless chief technology officer, HPE Aruba Networking. “HPE’s networking solutions bring real-time IoT data processing and AI inferencing closer to the source of data generation to fuel omnichannel shopping strategies that increase revenue.”

Like many industries, retail also suffers from IT resource constraints. Organizations with geographically distributed retail locations such as stores, warehouses, and back offices require management of an increasingly complex network to decrease the number and duration of IT visits. The new solutions announced today enable easier remote management across on-premises, cloud, and edge compute resources by expanding HPE Aruba Networking’s private 5G and Wi-Fi wireless solutions, integrating with HPE GreenLake Cloud as well as HPE’s edge compute portfolio, including the recently announced HPE ProLiant DL145 Gen11 server.

Expanded IoT Operations Dashboard and IoT Partner Portal

HPE is also expanding its HPE Aruba Networking Central IoT Operations dashboard, which allows retailers to take advantage of pre-built third-party applications from HPE retail partners to enhance capabilities of the access points and improve visibility into IoT applications at the edge.

At NRF, HPE is also showcasing new and existing partners and their extensive ecosystem of business solutions – delivered via HPE’s IoT partner portal – helping build a wide range of retail applications such as real-time video for fraud detection, inventory management and promotion, location analytics, and pricing optimization. HPE boasts one of the largest IoT partner ecosystems for retail, with several joining HPE at NRF including:

• Hanshow has developed highly interactive electronic shelf labels (ESL) to facilitate store management, ESLs enhance the consumer shopping experience.
• Simbe is recognized for its IoT platform featuring the world's first autonomous item-scanning robot—to track product location, stock levels, and pricing accuracy.
• SOLUM offers digital shelf labels, electronic signage, and smart facility solutions.
• VusionGroup provides solutions for computer vision AI, IoT asset management, electronic shelf labels, and digital displays.
• Zebra Technologies delivers hardware, software, and services to support omnichannel retailing including wearable devices, RFID scanners, barcode printers, environmental sensors, and intelligent cabinets.

Additional Resources:

• Read more about today’s announcement in the HPE blog, “Introducing retail-ready networks”
• Read more about HPE Private 5G solutions for retail and other industries

Recent HPE Networking News:

• HPE simplifies deployment of private cellular networks with launch of HPE Aruba Networking Enterprise Private 5G
• HPE Aruba Networking introduces high-capacity Wi-Fi 7 access points to improve enterprise security, address AI and IoT challenges
• HPE Aruba Networking strengthens cyber defenses with new AI-powered network detection and response and campus-based Zero Trust Network Access
• HPE ProLiant DL145 Gen11 server engineered for diverse edge locations ensures high performance for demanding workloads

About Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE: HPE) is the global edge-to-cloud company that helps organizations accelerate outcomes by unlocking value from all of their data, everywhere. Built on decades of reimagining the future and innovating to advance the way people live and work, HPE delivers unique, open, and intelligent technology solutions as a service. With offerings spanning Cloud Services, Compute, High Performance Computing & AI, Intelligent Edge, Software, and Storage, HPE provides a consistent experience across all clouds and edges, helping customers develop new business models, engage in new ways, and increase operational performance. For more information, visit: www.hpe.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250113132479/en/

Media Contact:

Ben Stricker

ben.stricker@hpe.com

Source: Hewlett Packard Enterprise

FAQ

What new retail solutions did HPE Aruba Networking announce at NRF 2025?

HPE announced the 100 Series Cellular Bridge, CX 8325H switch, 750 Series wireless access points, and new Central AI Insights for retail environments.

How does HPE's new Cellular Bridge benefit retail operations?

The Cellular Bridge provides backup WAN access for critical services like credit card processing and enables quick deployment of temporary locations when traditional broadband connections are impractical.

What security features does HPE Aruba Networking offer for retail IoT devices?

HPE's access points provide secure connectivity platforms, while Central AI Insights detect anomalies in IoT uploads and downloads to protect against security breaches.

Which major IoT partners is HPE collaborating with for retail solutions?

HPE is partnering with Hanshow, Simbe, SOLUM, VusionGroup, and Zebra Technologies to provide solutions like electronic shelf labels, autonomous scanning robots, and digital displays.

How does HPE's Central AI Insights improve retail curbside operations?

Central AI Insights optimizes outdoor Wi-Fi network performance and automatically adjusts settings to prevent passerby traffic from interfering with customer transactions.