The Point of Sale News: Cognizant’s Retail Consulting Experts Say Mobile POS is a Key Digital Improvement for Retail Organizations

“Mobile POS is a stroke of genius — and retailers owe it all to customers,” writes Karl Swensen, AVP and leader of the Retail, Hospitality and Consumer Goods practice in Cognizant Business Consulting (CBC), in an article coauthored with Jigar Shah, Consulting Manager and the Point of Service Practice Leader within CBC. “Given the upside for stores — everything from more satisfied customers and shorter checkout times to expanded selling opportunities — it’s no wonder retailers have been enthusiastic about mobile POS.” Excerpts:

“How can your organization be confident it’s ready to successfully adopt mobile POS? If the following indicators are in place, you’re ready to move ahead:

1. Getting closer to customers is a priority. Mobile POS enables that no customer is left behind — and that’s exactly how customers want it. Shoppers’ most requested store improvements are more knowledgeable associates and associates who can match prices, according to Cognizant’s 2015 Shopper Experience Study.

2. Future-proof solutions appeal to your organization. A key sign that your organization is ready for mobile POS is its interest in a mobile POS platform primed to integrate with new technologies such as Internet of Things, beacons, and loyalty CRM promotions. Now that POS dovetails with advanced technologies, retailers will need to view their POS options in more strategic, long-range terms.

3. Cloud has emerged as your organization’s technology hub. Cloud is the focal point for unified commerce, also called omnichannel, providing the versatility for new services and shipping options. Mobile POS can work without the cloud, but the cloud makes it more cost effective and easier to manage.

4. Digital marketing is a key strategic element. Mobile POS plays an important role for retailers whose marketing functions are pushing to adopt innovative promotions such as digital coupons and beacon technologies. In this age of technology-wielding shoppers, mobile POS and digital marketing enable retailers and their associates to stay a step ahead of shoppers.

5. You want to appear hip. Tablet — or smartphone-enabled associates help create positive marketing buzz for brands. To shoppers, stationary cash registers are technological dinosaurs.

6. Store labor is an asset to optimize. Mobile POS is most successful for retailers that view store labor as an asset to develop, rather than a cost to squeeze. Savvy retailers recognize the versatility of the tablet form factor to help them optimize store operations.

7. You’re ready to embrace digital payments and security. You’re that much closer to mobile POS if your organization is prepared to invest in hardware to support NFC and the security to safeguard the customer data that whizzes through mobile devices. Without tight security, mobile POS will never be fully adopted.

8. The time seems right for BYOD. Restaurants are leading the way with options that let diners use their smartphones to pay, place orders or scan items. As consumers grow accustomed to the scan-and-swipe convenience, can comparable retail offerings be far behind?

9. Unified commerce is positioned to be the heart of your operations. Mobile POS plays an essential role in creating the seamless customer experience across stores, web sites, and apps that defines unified commerce, or omnichannel retailing. It can be built with capabilities that enable a smoother process for in-store pickup of online orders.

10. Lower POS hardware costs are compelling. Traditional POS devices cost $2,000 each. Tablets run a far more modest $500 or so and are far more versatile.

Once your retail organization has thoroughly examined the indicators for mobile POS, it will have laid the groundwork for a more successful adoption of the technology. Mobile POS is no doubt a change your shoppers are waiting for — and a key digital improvement for your retail organization.”

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