First Virtual Optical Store Serves Military Personnel
ArmedForcesEyewear. com, the military division of FramesDirect. com (the World's Largest Online Optical Store), will unveil the first Virtual Eyewear Store at Goodfellow Air Force Base on March 24, 2010.
San Angelo, TX (PRWEB) March 8, 2010
In 2009 ArmedForcesEyewear. com (http://www. afeyewear. com) was asked to address the long-standing requests for enhancements to the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) eyewear benefit from advocacy groups to a Pentagon-level panel. The main issue on the table was that military individuals around the world did not have easy access to obtain eyewear, especially while serving in theatre arenas.
With the support of AAFES, ArmedForcesEyewear. com (http://www. afeyewear. com) provided electronic access to AAFES beneficiaries through a customized and exclusive optical website, http://www. armedforceseyewear. com (http://www. armedforceseyewear. com)], allowing military personnel easy access worldwide to over 100,000 prescription and sunglass products via the internet. Immediate response was phenomenal, and service members around the world were able to get replacement eyewear and contact lenses shipped directly from the US, despite the fact that no optical facility was nearby.
Next, the game-changing enterprise was asked to convert FramesDirect. com's patented FrameFinder TryOn technology and biometric algorithm into a self-service unit. The result is a patented virtual try-on system that allows patients to take their own picture, try on eyeglasses and sunglasses, and purchase eyewear securely over the internet in one seamless process. The virtual try-on system gives patients the experience of a traditional brick-and-mortar eyewear store, but can be transported to any location in the world. For the rollout and proof-of-concept test in just a few weeks, an eyewear consultant will be available to address individual questions and evaluate this concept for US Military.
"Military members, retirees, and their families in far-flung corners of the globe may soon have access to outstanding vision support thanks to this cutting-edge effort. The Virtual Eyewear Store unveiling at Goodfellow AFB opens a whole new era and beneficiary domain," says Lt Col Ric Peterson, AAFES Healthcare, Professional Services Group, Headquarters AAFES.
The first prototype version will be placed in the AAFES Mall on Goodfellow Air Force Base. Not wasting any time, ArmedForcesEyewear. com is already working on a second prototype version - a completely standalone unit with an all-in-one integrated design. Additionally, it will incorporate two-way video conferencing allowing those in the military community to interact with live customer support, receive optical guidance in frame selection, and get help with prescription lens ordering from customer service personnel in Houston, TX.
Goodfellow AFB serves as the pilot site for this project, and success in this location could lead to the implementation of additional kiosks in military installations worldwide.
About:
ArmedForcesEyewear. com (http://www. afeyewear. com) is an online optical retailer for active duty and retired military personnel, as well as dependents. The site offers thousands of name brand eyeglasses, sunglasses, prescription sunglasses, and contact lenses at special military discount prices. They also offer a streamlined ordering process, a prescription lens guarantee and dependable customer service.
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