Mobile Technology for Better Retail Management

Retailers are turning to technology for tools to keep costs down and contend with online competitors. Kronos Incorporated’s recent release of their Workforce Tablet™ Analytics, as part of the Kronos for Retail workforce management suite at the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) 102nd Annual Convention & Expo, has companies reeling over the idea of riding the cloud to profitability. The company that made its name by manufacturing the world's first microprocessor-based time clock in 1979 is now revolutionizing mobile workforce management software. Products allow managers to interpret sales data, streamline employee communication, make adjustments and maximize scheduling effectiveness in the warehouse, on the sales floor, in the office, or en route between stores.

Kronos found that using the interface of a tablet based program with vibrant graphics display capabilities was intuitive for managers and required no down time for training. Color coded dashboards highlight key performance indicators and offer easy-to-interpret reports. The app issues immediate alerts of approaching trouble in critical areas like cost, productivity, overtime, scheduling, and absence. Providing actionable information companies can achieve the goal of generating more sales, ensuring brand loyalty, and maintaining a competitive advantage.

Increased productivity and employee satisfaction are common side effects for companies connected to the cloud. Efficient effective collaboration and communication allow team members to address potential workforce issues before problems arise. Both managers and employees can instantly take action, complete common administrative tasks or weigh in on topics by using their smartphones.

Connecting employees to the cloud allows them to check schedules, make requests or alert managers of emergencies while on the go. Managers have even more tools for scheduling including metrics, alerts, and guidance to proactively align labor to demand. Quick and easy access syncs schedules, timecards, and other daily management tasks while views of who’s in, who’s out, who’s scheduled, and who’s available allows for fast adjustment on the fly. With a simple tap, pinch, or swipe they can make real-time adjustments to instantly cover visibly busy departments by diverting workers from other overstaffed departments.

"While mobility is important across all functions in the retail industry, in no other role is it more vital than for field management. Constantly on the road visiting stores and having to sift through immense amounts of data, field management is often bogged down in the minutia.” Kronos’ Liz Moughan, Director, Retail and Hospitality Practice Group explains, “But providing them with easy access to actionable information whenever and wherever they need, you unburden them so they are able to focus on what matters most – ensuring that each and every store is being managed in a way that drives customer satisfaction."

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