Use mobile data capture to streamline everyday retail processes

By Samuel Mueller, CEO, Scandit.

This article is brought to you by Retail Technology Review: Use mobile data capture to streamline everyday retail processes.

Retailers can obtain a wealth of real-time enterprise data with mobile barcode scans.

From capturing product data and cutting down on the costs of fixed POS terminals to simplifying order entry and assisting with efficient deliveries, mobile data capture can transform processes and tasks carried out in retail environments. Here are a few examples of the ways in which mobile scanning could be incorporated to help streamline operations on an everyday basis.

Mobile apps provide store staff with real-time access to vital information at the point of customer interaction. By scanning a product barcode, employees can obtain detailed product data. And by scanning a customer ID or loyalty card, shop assistants can gain instant access to a comprehensive customer history. This allows them to make personalised purchase recommendations and offer individually targeted discounts. As a result, the physical and digital experiences seamlessly blend, potentially leading to larger purchases and higher levels of customer satisfaction.

mPOS

By equipping traditional mobile devices with enterprise-grade scanning capability, retailers reduce or eliminate the need for costly fixed POS terminals. mPOS cuts the overhead associated with implementing, maintaining and upgrading POS hardware. It also frees valuable retail floor space for merchandise displays, picking and packing areas, or stations for customer pickup and return of online purchases. In addition, the checkout process is streamlined. Retailers can process more transactions per hour without having to invest in additional manpower.

mShopping

mShopping apps deliver an advanced digital retail experience to consumers via smartphone or tablet. Customers can create shopping lists by scanning product barcodes at home, on the go, or in store. They can also conduct product research and even complete purchases. Furthermore, mShopping apps can enable customers to apply coupons to a purchase or join a loyalty program with a barcode scan.

Mobile Order Entry

Mobile order entry enables customers, employees, distributors and vendors to scan products and place orders from a traditional consumer device such as a smartphone or tablet. By providing a user-friendly mobile app with a real-time product catalogue, retailers can increase order frequency. In addition to eliminating the cost of providing dedicated scanners or mobile computers, the reliability and simplicity of app-based mobile order entry also increases customer loyalty and satisfaction.

Self-Checkout

Using smartphones and tablets, consumers can scan store items as they shop and obtain product information and check real-time inventory levels and locations. Shoppers can also instantly execute purchases, eliminating lengthy checkout lines. The bonus for retailers is that they can eliminate hardware costs entirely by letting consumers perform self-checkout on their personal devices. Even if retailers make self-checkout available on hosted in-store devices, traditional smartphones and tablets still have a much lower total cost of ownership than dedicated scanners or mobile computers.

Inventory Management

Enterprise-grade mobile scanning allows retailers to track every product across their organisation using smartphones and tablets. The ease of use and portability of smartphones makes them ideal for managing replenishment directly from the retail floor. Automation of inventory counting with mobile barcode scanning greatly increases accuracy while reducing labour and hardware costs. Expensive and outdated legacy hardware can be replaced entirely with mobile barcode scanning software.

Proof Of Delivery

Validating Proof of Delivery (POD) with a mobile barcode scanning app provides numerous benefits to retailers and supports the efficiency of their eCommerce operations. Drivers can scan packages and capture signatures with a single smartphone or tablet. They can also use the same device for geotagging, navigation, communication and other tasks. This eliminates the need to carry multiple devices. Expenses are further reduced by avoiding the higher total cost of ownership associated with dedicated scanning devices or mobile computers.

Increasingly, retailers are looking at new technology solutions to streamline operations in their brick and mortar and online operations. Mobile barcode scanning is one solution that is able to provide a cost-effective and efficient means to meet a wide number of different challenges.