4 Tools to Keep Up with the Speed of Retail

This audio was created using Microsoft Azure Speech Services

Rapid changes in consumer technology have also created a new speed of retail. Technology upgrades for new payment options and tracking inventory are just two examples of deployments needed to ensure the highest level of customer engagement and satisfaction. How can retailers keep up with technology upgrades and keep it simple?

In fact, the larger the retailer, the larger the complexity related to new technology rollouts.  Managing designs, an endless number of suppliers, ordering, shipping, installation and ongoing operations can be a nightmare.  Not to mention, you must prevent any negative impact on customer experience and service as infrastructure is upgraded.

As frequently happens, store associates get called on to resolve store operations issues related to new deployments. With limited staff on site, this leaves customers unattended; deserted customers will often abandon their purchases. Faced with waiting, they would rather find another means to get what they need.

At a time when shopping options are a smartphone click away, removing or limiting complexity from any rollout, as well as choosing the right partners, will help improve speed and reduce risks to customer satisfaction in store.

To help you keep up with the speed of retail, while simplifying your retail technology, we’ve aggregated a comprehensive set of Schneider Electric resources in one place. Check out the new retail content hub. To get started, explore these four tools.

  1. eBook: Retail IT Infrastructure Solutions

IT Infrastructure is the backbone of the retail enterprise. From the corporate and store networks to POS systems and distribution centers, uptime is critical. A comprehensive suite of IT and data center solutions and services is needed to support retail operations such as inventory, workforce and supply chain management, transaction processing, online and store sales and marketing analytics. See how Schneider Electric can help you manage, administer and protect your retail IT enterprise, leverage big data and optimize sales.

  1. Whitepaper: Practical Options for Deploying Small Server Room and Micro Data Centers

Micro data centers can mitigate some of the usual issues associated with the small server that support multiple store locations. The rooms are typically unorganized, unsecure, hot, unmonitored and space constrained. These conditions can lead to system downtime or, at the very least, close calls. This paper discusses making realistic improvements to power, cooling, racks, physical security, monitoring and lighting in small server rooms and branch offices with up to 10kW of IT load.

  1. Tip Sheet: 7 Ways to Slim Down and Manage your IT Deployment

IT managers of small or medium-sized retailers, often deal with cramped or remote IT environments. To make the most of your available space, you need to plan out your physical infrastructure in a way that is cost effective, efficient, convenient and manageable, while ensuring maximum data availability with proper power, cooling, power distribution, and cable management. Here’s how can you slim down and better manage your IT deployment.

  1. Blog: How Fleet Management Services Takes the Guesswork Out of UPS Maintenance

Retailers face all sorts of challenges when it comes to keeping IT environments up and running reliably. Downtime can immediately translate into lost sales. Find out how relying on an expert third-party partner for services like remote monitoring, troubleshooting and reporting and on-site maintenance and repair can ensure store associates are focusing on customers and not technology issues.

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,