Amazon’s Alexa, Google Home, and other smart lifestyle devices are growing in popularity. As consumers become more and more comfortable with adding voice automation programs and services in their homes, these devices will likely continue to increase in presence. That comfort will then transfer to the industry after an increase in knowledge and a stronger social acceptance.
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There are more and more options for hardware devices that can be used in a business environment. In the past, the only option was to select from a small handful of enterprise grade devices. Today, it is quite different. Not only are there more enterprise devices but many also consider consumer grade devices to meet their business needs. And at first glance, the lower cost consumer devices appear to bring a higher ROI. However, it is important to consider that up-front costs are just the tip of the iceburg - it's important to look at the total cost of ownership before making that final decision.
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There is no doubt that technology is one of the hardest topics to keep up with. By the time that a new technology is understood, it is being replaced. For many, the new technology is also too expensive or risky to considering adoption. So while early adopters reap the benefits when things go well, they also pay a lot to prove that the technology will work as promised.
An example would be the types of drives used in computers and point of sale (POS) terminals. For years, the hard disk drive (HDD) was the only real option. It did the job well but eventually the solid state drive (SSD) was created. This new drive offered many benefits but the cost was prohibitive to wide-spread adoption. As with any technology, the cost eventually comes down over time, so how do you know if moving to SSDs is the right move for your business?
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Companies are increasingly adopting radio frequency identification (RFID) to manage assets, control access, enhance security, and track product through the supply chain. For purposes such as these, RFID offers some serious advantages over traditional barcodes. One of the big differences between the two is that barcodes are line-of-sight technology. That is, a scanner has to “see” the barcode to read it, which means people usually have to orient the barcode toward a scanner for it to be read. RFID operates through radio frequency and only needs to be held near the receiver to be scanned. Because these technologies offer a quick and simple scanning solution, RFID is quickly replacing barcodes in many different verticals and tasks within companies. Consider the basic components and factors of RFID to help you determine which RFID solution is right for you.
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A few years ago, many businesses began to see the need for tablets and smartphone-sized devices to solve their professional needs. The only problem was that enterprise device manufacturers did not have products to fill the needs of the market. This is where app developers and consumer devices stepped in to fill the gap. iPads and Android tablets became an option for many seeking to add mobility to their business strategy. And as predicted, many manufacturers have responded and begun to make devices that better meet the needs of the market without taking away from the fact that consumer devices have also become prevalent.
Customers now have a wide range of enterprise and consumer devices from which to choose. This is great news because there is power when there are options, but it can also create confusion. So, if you’re feeling stumped, consider a few things when deciding if enterprise or consumer is best for your business.
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The smartphone in your pocket is more powerful than the computers that we used in the past. There is no denying the ability technology has to make our lives better. This includes how technology operates within a business as well. Most businesses utilize the latest in technology to give them a competitive advantage. Mobile computers have been used in business for years but the types of devices and their abilities continue to change. They are more affordable, powerful, and capable of solving new problems than before.
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The bar industry remains a hyper-competitive market. Yesterday’s trendy bar is closed tomorrow. It is just as important as ever to continue to innovate and provide better experiences to ensure your bar remains the place for the locals to grab a drink and relax. While marketing and promotion remains vital to your bar’s success, you should also be looking to add technology that drives better customer interactions. Mobile point of sale (mPOS) is one technology that every bar owner should be familiarizing themselves with to remain competitive.
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When selecting new hardware, it is easy to focus on the big picture when making your decision. But there are often some smaller factors that deserve just as much attention. When reviewing the available barcode scanner options, it is important to consider many different aspects of the product, including things many shoppers can easily overlook: the warranty, build quality and ergonomics of the device.
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Tablet use in enterprise is on the rise. According to the Global Business and Consumer Tablet Forecast, enterprises will make up 18 percent of tablet purchases in 2017. The use cases are just as varied and unique as the tablet designs themselves. Restaurants install them table-side for efficient ordering. Retailers use them as a medium for consumers to browse inventory, access product information, and place orders. Banks install them in kiosks to reduce waiting lines for simple transactions. In all cases, the main objective is to enhance the customer experience. Consumers like using familiar technology to access the information they need, when they want it. Businesses that embrace this fact with tablets and other mobile devices are often rewarded with higher sales and lower costs.
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So the time has come and purchasing a POS (point of sale) system will soon be a necessity. You may be upgrading your current system or in need of a system for a new business venture. If this is your first POS system, then educating yourself about the technology is a great place to start. If you are upgrading, there may be some changes since you last purchased a POS system. In either situation, there are a number of factors to consider before ordering the new terminals. One of the largest factors will be what type of touch screen technology will be best for your business type.
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