Blurring the line between mobile and fixed POS
Household name retailers are in constant competition – vying for a limited number of shoppers and dollars. Many with the same objective; Personalize shopping, provide in-the moment experiences and bridge the gap between online and in-store.
To improve the customer experiences in store, many retailers are looking at ways to offer convenient payments. Having a mobile POS (mPOS) system allows associates to service shoppers everywhere within the store, smartphones or tablets in tow. With mPOS, shoppers can conduct transactions on-the-spot, without waiting in a check-out lane. This minimizes lane traffic and increases transaction speed and efficiency – all while boosting customer engagement.
Many retailers, however, aren’t ready to rip and replace their old systems just yet, leaving them questioning whether to stick with fixed, transition to mobile or keep a combination of both.
Fixed or Mobile?
In a customer-centric, digital-driven world of retail, mobile is key for engaging shoppers throughout the store. Arming store associates with customized devices enables customers to not only check-out from anywhere in the store, but it also equips store associates with insights that were traditionally driven by fixed POS systems. Today’s mPOS systems, for example, can be loaded with inventory and merchandise management apps – allowing store associates to adjust inventory to meet customer demand, avoid stock-outs and ensure the accurate replenishment of inventory. Additionally, the right system can arm retail employees with real-time insights into customer analytics. Combined with detailed, interactive data and visibility into store merchandise, these insights encourage store associates to provide personalized product suggestions based on product availability and customer sales history.
However, with a sense of security and familiarity that both retailers and consumers can feel good about, the market for fixed POS systems still exists, leaving retailers hesitant to give up their fixed systems entirely.
POS without compromise
New systems are enabling retailers to eliminate the choice between mPOS or fixed by delivering flexibility without sacrificing performance or reliability.
HP, for example, is streamlining processes with mobile POS solutions that can easily be switched to a desktop experience while offering robust business capabilities. The HP Elite x3 is a durable and modular mobile scanning system with fast and accurate barcode scanning that can easily switch to a full PC. The solution enables optimal customer experiences, productivity and associate and manager agility. Similarly, the HP MX12 Retail Solution adapts to work behind the counter or on the sales floor to deliver great customer service from anywhere, complete sales transactions and improve operational efficiency.
These innovative POS solutions are redefining the retail space by combining the advantages of mobile and fixed in a single system. Store associates are armed with the connectivity to a full suite of retail peripherals when docked and can provide convenience and personalization to customers from anywhere in the store when undocked. Giving retailers a solution that they don’t have to compromise on.
