By Ross Homans, Stratix
If
you think of technological advancement for retailers as a highway, there seem
to be two distinct lanes with very different speeds
The
first lane is where “traditional” technology such as monitors, laptops and
desktops live. While OEMs refresh this technology every year (usually timed to
chipset refreshes from Intel and their competitors), functionality is static,
and retailers refresh their traditional computing devices on average every four
to five years. The speed of this lane allows retailers to easily dictate how
fast — or slow — they want to invest money and resources.
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The
second lane is where mobile technology lives, and it couldn’t be more of a
contrast. Smartphones, tablets and sensors connected to the Internet of Things
(IoT) evolve rapidly, and the lines between them overlap and blur at a dizzying
pace. Samsung, Motorola and Huawei are
testing the waters of foldable phone/tablet hybrids in very different ways,
creating a very real possibility that those devices will not exist as we
currently know them in four to five years’ time. Beyond the hardware, 5G
network connectivity is a promising and complex standard that could redefine
broadband for consumers and retailers alike. And those are just the main
developments of the past few months!
The
rise of 5G will transform the retail experience for both consumers and
employees. Faster Internet speeds will allow for more real-time transactions
and allow for the rise of immersive applications. For employees, this could
mean AR/VR retail operations with the use of wearable devices. Tasks like
inventory management will be revolutionized. For consumers, it means a more
personalized shopping experience.
Unfortunately,
the mobile spend capacity and business requirements are not as dynamic as these
trends, so creating a mobility program for those needs is no small feat. How
does one stay current to deliver a modern and satisfactory user experience
while also getting the most out of their investments in mobile technology?
The
main concerns around 5G are the price to upgrade and having the right
infrastructure to properly handle faster Internet speeds. The benefits and
features of 5G for retailers are clear, but the issues are ensuring retailers
have the right mobile strategy to harness these speeds, and that employees are
prepared for all of the new applications possible because of this. Retail is
increasingly becoming a digital function, and the arrival of 5G will expedite
this process. Retailers need to get ahead of the trend and ensure they have the
right plan and infrastructure in place to hit the ground running.
Fortunately,
the notion that mobile technology moves too fast for you to have efficient and
effective managed mobility is a myth. Engaging the right partner early on to
craft a true mobile blueprint means that you’re well-positioned to thrive
amidst the hectic pace of technological change. A blueprint centered around the
Mobility as a Service (MaaS) model gives your business flexibility to adapt and
maximizes ROI, because your mobile spend is now a single manageable monthly
expenditure.
This
myth doesn’t have to be a reality for retailers.
Ross Homans is VP of Operational Programs at Stratix. Since joining Stratix over
20 years ago, Homans has served in various field and operations management
roles. He was the enterprise mobile innovator who designed the company’s
initial Mobile Provisioning & Deployment Center in 1999. In 2004, he
created the company’s Custom Accessory Division, which continues to provide
exponential growth. Today, Homans supports and
continues to enhance Stratix’ comprehensive suite of Mobile Managed Services (MMS).
He holds a BA degree in International Business from the University of Georgia.
