The world of technology continues to expand what businesses can do. The things we wanted to be able to do five years ago are now possible. The things we didn’t know we wanted to do are also possible. Whether you are a small, up-and-coming company or a Fortune 500 Goliath, there is some new piece of technology that could potentially change the way you do business.
Not only could specific pieces of technology change the way you do business, but they are also critical to the long-term growth of your company. Technology not only brings large projects down to scale by simplifying things, but they also increase efficiency, in most cases.
For the purposes of this article, we’ll say that you own a retail store. The technology listed below is all tailored for retail businesses, so… enjoy!
Samsung TecTiles
This is basically an alternative to those pesky QR codes you see everywhere. Rather than being something that the customer has to actively engage in (with QR codes, customers have to take out their cell phone and snap a pick of the code to get the information it stores), these little tiles send out a message to customers in your store. These stickers send out short, near-field communications (NFC) to their smartphones. Unfortunately, it only works on phones with NFC chips, so iPhones are currently out of the picture. But if you want new ways to reach a captivated audience, this is the way to do it.
POS System
This isn’t exactly a new technology, but it’s one of the most important. A POS system allows companies to take their customers out of the register lines, streamlining the sales process. With the right point of sale software you can also sync your accounting books with the system so information is automatically uploaded once a sale is made. You can also sync it with your inventory, so your audits will go a lot smoother. But, the really interesting thing about this system is that you can track customers, making it easier to reward them (or reach them) for multiple purchases.
Samsung NL22B LED/LCD Transparent Display
This thing is a beauty. At 22 inches, it’s relatively small, but it’s the power that will impress those browsing your store. What this little guy does is display 1680×1050 resolution images that also allows consumers to see what is behind the display. While it may take a little tinkering in the beginning, this machine will make your storefront a spectacle (in a good way). And with a little creativity, you can really pull people in, which is what you want, right?
Netgear VueZone
The bottom line is this: If you own a retail store, you are bound to encounter some kind of theft, whether it be internal or from would-be customers. That’s just how it goes. But, you can help your store stay in the black by installing a state-of-the-art security system… and for cheap. The VueZone broadcasts multichannel video to any web-connected smartphone or device, allowing your roving managers to keep an eye on all the action when they need to.