Productivity, Technology

Excessive technology at the point of sale: its effect on productivity and commercial results in retail chains

The Problem

Retailers today have a series of technological platforms that effectively solve different problems on an individual level. Customer Management Systems (CRM), ERPs, IT Helpdesk, Maintenance Systems, Sales Systems, Business Intelligence Solutions, Store check, and Task Management, to name a few. Usually, all these systems coexist at the store level.

According to a study conducted by Intermedia, mid-sized companies in the United States use an average of 14.3 operational applications. The big problem with this situation is not the number of platforms but the fact that they operate in isolation.

Each platform working as a silo directly impacts in-store teams’ efficiency, as they dedicate a lot of time using these systems and are not focused on what is important: being on the sales floor. In addition, employees must be trained on multiple platforms, which implies investing a lot of effort and resources in the context of high staff turnover in stores.

The Opportunity

It is critical that technology selection is made with a deep understanding of the day-to-day retail operation at the point of sale. The simplicity of use is a crucial factor, as well as the resources needed for training. There are two critical areas we see in this context:

In-store mobility

Retailers want store staff to be on the sales floor focused on managing the critical variables to improve conversion. To do so, all the essential information and management systems must be at the reach of their hands. However, it is not enough for the solutions to be available as a mobile application. It must be easy to use and require as little time as possible to operate. 

Integration capacity

Systems must communicate with each other to make store operations uncomplicated. Store operations are simplified when all processes and communications are conducted through a single user-facing channel. This integration can be at different levels, but the most relevant characteristic is that the user has access to everything needed to execute their tasks in one place. 

Coordination between functional areas (Marketing, Systems, Operations, etc.) is simplified when their management systems are integrated. In simple words, if only there were an application where the user could do everything.

How does Frogmi help you?

At Frogmi, we understand the operational reality of retail and the importance of focusing on sales management. Our Task Management solution allows you to manage multiple activities in one place by connecting to existing systems in the company, significantly improving the productivity of your store teams. If you want to learn more about our solution and how we have helped other companies improve their productivity and sales, click here to schedule a 30-minute demo with one of our sales executives.

Mantente informado sobre las tendencias en la optimización de operaciones en tiendas y más.