Store Management System
– Mobile Extension
The Mobile Extension for the Retail Directions Store Management System (SMSmx) provides retailers with the flexibility of mobile computing on the shop floor.
The SMSmx application has been developed specifically for mobile devices under the Microsoft.NET compact framework, utilising Radio Frequency (RF) link with SMS. This allows for the SMSmx application to run on a wide range of hand-held devices.
SMSmx supports inventory-related functions such as stock-take, stock receiving and stock transfers. Additional mobile extensions are being developed. Some areas of future development include access to customer loyalty information and product enquiries (price lookup, available stock, neighbourhood store stock enquiry).
The framework of the SMSmx application has been designed to minimise deployment and configuration effort. SMSmx uses network broadcast technologies to locate available store networks and connect to your nearest store, removing the need to specifically configure each device. This is of great benefit when the devices are shared across multiple locations and sent from one store to another for stock-take.
The SMSmx mobile solution improves accuracy by ensuring all stock transactions are recorded and scanned in the location where the transaction is occurring. Workflow improvements can be achieved through single entry of transactions rather than relying on paper based processes requiring subsequent manual data entry.
SMSmx can also act as an additional data entry device in store. Where some retailers may have installed a dedicated register for back office stock functions, the mobile unit can provide these functions without the need to install and maintain a separate register.