A reliable tech stack is essential for retailers to compete in today's market, whether the goal is higher-quality customer service or streamlined operations across every channel. Today, the question isn't whether retailers should use technology, but what to look for when deploying a retail solution. Deployment isn't a straightforward process, and there are a number of considerations retailers should keep in mind both before and during implementation. Here are three questions worth asking first.
What's the ultimate goal?
Before deploying a new retail solution, it helps to start at the end. Retailers should identify the goal they're trying to achieve, whether that's alleviating in-store congestion, improving visibility across the business, streamlining order management, or all of the above. A thorough audit of the business helps surface the main challenges and gaps that need addressing before the search for a solution even begins. If the goal is a mobile point-of-sale deployment, for example, the ideal solution needs to streamline checkout, reduce queuing, and improve the experience for both customers and associates.
Does the solution fit the specific needs of the business?
It's critical to find a solution that meets a retailer's specific needs rather than a generic one. If the goal is a self-checkout terminal to ease in-store congestion, the chosen solution needs to deliver swift, streamlined checkouts, or it risks making things worse by frustrating shoppers rather than helping them. Teamwork Commerce's RFID-powered self-checkout technology lets customers complete checkout in seconds by automatically scanning goods placed in a designated area, increasing the number of transactions a store can complete during operating hours without individually scanning every item. Live demonstrations and product pilots are worth insisting on during the selection process, to confirm a solution actually aligns with the intended outcome before committing to it.
Will it still be relevant in the long term?
Technology deployment isn't a one-time event. It's something retailers need to keep reviewing as their requirements evolve, which means choosing a solution built to evolve alongside them. A long-term approach to technology investment pays off in sustainable results, keeping retailers ahead of competitors as their integrations mature. Just as important is finding the right technology partner, one who can guide a retailer through the full adoption process and help evolve the offering over time, so the deployed solution keeps streamlining processes, improving customer experience, and returning value well past launch day.
Getting deployment right the first time
Technology deployment in retail is a critical process, and getting it right the first time is what lets retailers reap its benefits. Partnering with an experienced technology provider with a track record of delivering similar solutions in retail makes it far easier to deploy something that actually fits.