With a growing variety of bar codes being used today, it is necessary to have one solution that can scan virtually any type of code. The hands-free Motorola DS457 Fixed Mount Imager can scan 1D and 2D barcodes, as well as Direct Part Marks and mobile bar codes. Mobile bar codes are being used for a variety of applications such as mobile ticketing, mobile boarding passes, mobile loyalty cards and mobile coupons. The DS457 delivers high-volume scanning for all of these applications and many more—while saving space.

The sleek design makes the DS457 ideal for POS applications and can even be mounted under the counter. The small form factor is also useful for embedded kiosk applications and manufacturing conveyor lines.

Check back next week to learn more about the Motorola DS457.

Let’s Get Mobile! Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about bar code scanners that provide fast and accurate scan rates for a variety of bar codes.

The retail industry is fast-paced and markdowns and markups are a regular occurrence to keep up with competitor pricing, discount slow-moving items and adjust to market changes.  End-to-end retail mobility solutions enable employees to accurately adjust pricing right on the sales floor and reduce the possibility of error.  With mobile computers you can scan the item bar code to receive improved visibility and accountability into price change execution.  According to a National Retail Security Survey, administrative and paperwork errors make up approximately 15% of shrink and simple pricing mistakes due to markups or markdowns can cost retailers quite a bit.  When combined with a mobile printer, not only can you eliminate these costly errors, but you can also eliminate the need to travel back and forth to the back room to print shelf labels.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about retail mobility solutions that increase the accuracy and efficiency of price changes.

Much like every year, Black Friday sent droves of consumers to the stores searching for the best deals on holiday gifts.  This year many shoppers were taking advantage of their mobile phones to do research before purchases.  According to a recent Yahoo! And Neilsen’study, 9 out of 10 mobile Internet users accessed the Web while in stores and 51% made purchases after doing research via their phone.  Shoppers are also paying attention to the ads that they receive on their phones while shopping and are looking for the ads to include information about price, features and benefits.  Another recent study by MMA found that 59% of mobile consumers plan to use their mobile phones for holiday shopping and for planning holiday celebrations.  As you can see, mobile applications are changing retail and creating new ways for retailers to interact with their customers this holiday season.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about customer-facing retail applications and solutions that enhance the shopping experience.

Electronic Product Code (EPC) is a unique set of numbers or coding schemes that identifies a specific item in a supply chain.  Unlike bar codes that can only distinguish between two product categories (manufacturer and class of product), EPC can identify a specific item by its unique ID number.   This emerging system uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to automatically identify consumer goods.

As products move through the supply chain, from factories, to distribution, to retail stores, EPC tags offer improved information about specific items.  EPC not only indicates the name of the manufacturer and type of product, but can also include specific product information, such as:

• Manufacture date
• Expiration date
• Flavor/Style
• Recalls
• Location in supply chain

Because EPC has the ability to track products down to the item level, companies can use EPC-based RFID solutions to track inventory, reduce shortages and increase consumer safety.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about RFID solutions and hardware that supports EPC.

Typical mobile retail solutions can be categorized in two segments by business function:

• In-Store Systems-Mobile Inventory, Mobile Point of Sale (POS), Customer-Facing Applications and other specialized systems.
• Distribution Systems-Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Transportation Management Systems.

DecisionPoint provides expert solutions in all areas of retail, from store operations to distribution center operations and understands that each system requires a combination of hardware, software, services and support to be successful.  Visit us in the next few days to learn more about our specific in-store and distribution center solutions that utilize mobile computing and scanning systems to handle multiple business functions.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about our mobile solutions designed for retailers.

In the retail industry many commissioned sales associates at department stores and specialty fashion stores refer to their book of clients as their “black book.”  This black book of clients poses a problem for many retailers because using a paper system to track customers and past purchases means that when a sales associate leaves, so does all of their client data.  Many retailers have begun automating the “black book” and supplying their sales associates with Enterprise Digital Assistants (EDAs) that not only increase customer satisfaction, but also capture all customer data so that it stays with the retailer.  Some typical applications that run on EDAs and empower sales associates include:

• Updating and accessing customer profiles
• Accessing data on sizes and preferences
• Analyzing past purchases
• Scheduling appointments
• Creating customer wish lists
• Product consultations
• Automatic recommendations

…And more!  Mobile clienteling solutions empower associates, help increase sales and retain customer loyalty.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about mobile retail solutions designed for sales associates.

According to Retail Systems Research, 88% of mega-retailers cite the need to make employees more productive as a top priority.  Empowering associates with mobile technology will not only transform the shopping experience, but increase employee productivity as well.  Retailers can improve employee productivity with solutions such as:

• Mobile Task Management-employees can record completion of assigned tasks via mobile devices or kiosks
• Enterprise Communication-keeping employees connected with Voice solutions enables them to assist customers from anywhere in the store, locate merchandise and request assistance on-the-go
• Mobile Point of Sale (POS)-empower your employees to make a sale from anywhere in the store
• Inventory Management-reduce errors and increase productivity with mobile computers that speed up the inventory process and improve accuracy

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about mobile solutions that improve employee productivity.

Consumers have greater access to data than ever before and this creates opportunities for retailers to tap into new channels and better interact with customers via mobile applications.  In fact, Nielsen forecasts 120 million mobile Web users by mid-2011. 

Mobile applications such as mobile ordering, mobile coupons and mobile price comparison, will begin gaining importance to consumers that are constantly connected.  These new customer-facing applications increase customer loyalty and improve the shopping experience.  DecisionPoint can help you pursue the mobile consumer segment by “mobilizing” your current website and developing a strategy to interact with your customers on their mobile devices that ties into your loyalty programs.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about customer-facing mobile applications for retailers.

There are a variety of retail applications that can be improved with 2D bar codes and digital imaging solutions.  Retailers who have the ability to capture the information from the PDF417 bar code on the back of a customer’s driver’s license can streamline a variety of processes and improve customer service.  Here are a few sample applications:

Fraudulent Returns Prevention-by scanning the PDF417 on the back of a driver’s license, employees can instantly track the returns made by a customer.  If a customer is making an excessive number of returns, they can keep an eye on these patterns and begin refusing or limiting the number of returns per year.

Loyalty Program Applications-many retailers now offer customers loyalty cards for in-store discounts, but customers filling out applications for these cards manually can cause an increase in checkout time.  By scanning the PDF417 on a driver’s license, the customer information will automatically populate the application and database.  Eliminate paper applications, reduce errors and save your customers valuable time.

Age Verification-businesses face big penalties if they sell age restricted items to a minor.  Employees equipped with a digital image scanner can quickly validate a customer’s age by scanning the PDF417 on their driver’s license.  Additional precautions can also be built into the POS system so that certain transactions can’t be completed without first scanning an ID.

Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about digital imaging solutions designed for retailers.

Transforming the shopping experience is a great way to maintain customer loyalty.  Mobile solutions provide the convenience and personalized shopping experience your customers are looking for.  With the correct technology in place, the opportunities to increase customer satisfaction are almost limitless.  There are a variety of mobile applications designed to enhance the shopping experience and we’ve discussed some of these in the past, but today I’d like to look at some specific examples of solutions that transform the shopping experience.

• In-store ordering via Micro Kiosks-provide your customers with the convenience of ordering items from side departments (such as the deli) at the beginning of their shopping trip.  This eliminates the need for customers to wait in line to place their order and then wait again for the order to be completed.  Everything is taken care of while the customer is shopping and can be picked up when they’re ready to checkout.
• Dressing room assistance-provide your customers with a mobile application that ensures immediate response from an employee to help them locate the correct item in the correct size.
• Online order pickup via Micro Kiosks-provide your customers with a quick and easy way to complete online orders.  A store associate is immediately notified once the bar code is scanned and the order is delivered to the customer at the checkout.  This enables a speedy checkout and eliminates the frustration of waiting in multiple lines to receive an online order.

Lets’ Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about mobile solutions that transform the shopping experience.