At the National Retail Federation's (NRF) Annual Convention and EXPO, nicknamed "Retail's BIG Show," Retail Pro is showing off the most comprehensive mobile point of sale system in the industry – Retail Pro Prism. Unlike other mobile POS software, Retail Pro Prism offers full POS functionality across all devices, including both mobile and desktop machines. For the first time, businesses don't have to sacrifice features for mobility.

Multifunctional and flexible POS retail management systems
With all the capabilities of a desktop system, full-featured mobile POS systems enable clerks to be away from the sales counter without leaving behind any tools. That frees them to complete other tasks, like arranging displays and assisting shoppers, while still being fully available for all patrons. One of the key drivers of mobile POS systems is the increasing need to interact with people in the aisle for the purpose of better customer service and to be more competitive for sales, concluded Joe Skorupa for RIS News.

As the leading POS software, Retail Pro Prism gives businesses the greatest flexibility to tailor a system perfectly to their needs and business model. Retail Pro Prism can be deployed across iOS, Windows, Android and even mini devices, which means that companies can select hardware based on their image and needs, and they can implement Retail Pro Prism without needing to train employees to use new platforms. 

Retail Pro Prism fulfills retail industry needs
According to the 2014 IHL/RIS Store Systems Study, 30 percent of retailers plan to adopt tablets or non-rugged handheld devices for POS in the next 12 months, and one of their main priorities is a unified transaction engine. In other words, it's essential for retailers to have a POS system that provides an integrated record of all purchases, including ecommerce and mobile POS commerce. The expansion of omnichannel retail marketing has caused unified POS systems to be a necessity.

Mobile POS systems are redefining customer engagement in stores, according to a separate RIS study. The study found that retailers expect measurable benefits in terms of saving sales, improving customer convenience, reducing long lines, and increasing customer engagement. The biggest areas of need include connectivity, device forms, security, and easy adoption, according to the source – and these are just the problem areas that Retail Pro Prism mitigates.

The NRF Convention takes place in New York City from January 12-15 and the EXPO is held January 13-14.

Black Friday recently swept through multiple retail locations, and more so than ever, shoppers were ready with facts about their favorite products – millennials in particular. According to a recent Google survey, 95 percent of the generation likely researched items online before arriving at stores or completing their ecommerce transactions, and this practice will continue throughout the rest of the holiday shopping season. Many of these young consumers sought information online, but some (40 percent) looked into discounts and more in-depth knowledge even as they browsed through brick-and-mortar stores.

Meeting the needs of these savvy, ecommerce-friendly customers may take a shift in how merchants run their businesses, from how they approach their marketing to in-store operations. Unlike years past, TV and catalogs are growing less important, while a strong Web presence might improve sales. 

To better understand the millennial customer and how retailers are engaging with this growing demographic, Retail Pro and Merchant Warehouse will be holding the Millennial Holiday Shopping Trends Survey. By pairing this with a survey focused on millennial respondents, Retail Pro will help merchants derive greater insight into the generation's thinking and habits in order to improve the overall shopping experience. 

Every transaction, customer interaction and delivery provides merchants with another data point about their operations. However, this information must be followed with action to be useful. Knowing how all the details add together can be difficult, but with Retail Pro Business Intelligence, the whole process becomes much easier by letting decision-makers know which details to focus on to improve all levels of their organization. 

To discover how Retail Pro Business Intelligence can assist with better strategy-making decisions, merchants should attend this week's webinar and learn about the solution's powerful capabilities. The webinar will take place tomorrow, November 13, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m PDT. Registration information can be found at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/504336090.

Neil McKeown, Product Manager for Retail Pro Business Intelligence and Retail Pro E-Commerce, will be leading the webinar and explaining how the platform can enhance merchants' processes and procedures. He will discuss how its features can streamline workflow and the point of sale, improve collaboration between personnel and also be customized for large and small retailers alike.  

The importance of retail software is taken as a given in some markets, but in many parts of the world, its potential benefits are not as widely known or implemented. Waseem Naif, CEO and founder of Retail Technology, recently addressed how technology is changing the retail landscape in Saudi Arabia during an interview with Iqtisad Al-Mamlaka – the Kingdom's Economy.

As Retail Pro's exclusive distributor in the region, Naif has witnessed the way point of sale systems can transform the industry. While most international businesses deploy software solutions, this practice is not yet as widespread throughout Saudi Arabia.

"There are companies in Saudi Arabia that still work in the old, traditional way without computer systems, even though they desperately need them," Naif said.

Because of this, many merchants are missing out on the positive impact that retail software can have on their companies. Naif explained that some are just not aware of the benefits these solutions can have on their enterprises, such as potentially doubling their profits due to the efficiency and productivity possible through the technology.

Create an environment of expertise
As some retailers have yet to institute software solutions to their store operations, Naif pointed out that there is a considerable market for the technology's expansion throughout the region. However, he advised that merchants should be thoroughly familiar with the point of sale system that they are selling, and to provide transparency about all levels of the offering to foster a sense of confidence and trust in the product. To achieve this, he recommended that businesses create specializations for each aspect of the technology, as this strategy his helped his own company's success.

"The most important elements of success for any organization in this field of business is a comprehensive awareness and full understanding of the details and capabilities of the program it is promoting, not to mention maintaining credibility and professionalism with all clients," Naif​ told the publication.

Obstacles to watch for
As important as technology is, Naif highlighted that skilled staff members are another key part to implementing best in class retail solutions in Saudi Arabia. As he has expanded his company throughout the region, Naif has had to invest in training programs that help qualify employees for installing his retail solutions. While many Saudi youth have some familiarity with software and technology, it is not as widespread as Naif has needed. This has been one of the few challenges he has faced, but he noted that he remains optimistic and determined to continue growing his operations across the country.

"As you know, investment in the human element is one of the most significant elements of success for any organization," Waif said.

Technology and the necessary support for it will continue to play a prominent role in the retail industry, as Naif highlighted. Worldwide, a number of opportunities and markets for expansion exist, with many only recently tapped into. Merchants can benefit immensely from software solutions, but partners should be able to offer both information and trust when promoting point of sale platforms.

Merchants handle a plethora of details and information on a daily basis, whether it's in the form of customer preferences, inventory processes or sales orders, just to name a few. Keeping track of this data can become an overwhelming task if retailers don't have the right procedures and tools in place. Fortunately, retail software such as Retail Pro's Business Intelligence provides merchants with a comprehensive platform that can perform a variety of operational functions to gather data and turn it into actionable information for brands.

Merchants that are interested in learning more about Retail Pro Business Intelligence and what it can do for their organizations can sign up for this week's webinar that is dedicated to the solution's features and capabilities. The online event will take place on Thursday, November 14, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. PDT. Registration information can be found at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/504336090.

Presenting the webinar will be Neil McKeown, Product Manager for Retail Pro Business Intelligence and Retail Pro E-Commerce. McKeown will be hosting a live demonstration of the platform to show attendees how the technology can develop reports for a variety of processes, including point of sale, merchandising and inventory, among other functions. 

No matter what channel customers are using, they want a convenient, uncomplicated transaction process. Merchants providing a versatile point of sale system backed by powerful retail management software can cater to consumers regardless of whether they are shopping on a smartphone or in person. 

Because Retail Pro Prism can be tailored to each merchant's needs, the platform offers the flexibility that they have asked for, and specialty retailers with specific needs can customize the application to their store operations. Interested retailers can attend tomorrow's webinar from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. PDT. Registration information can be found at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/285623402.

Retail Pro Prism's modular nature allows industry professionals to tailor the solution to their enterprise. Attendees will discover how the system can improve their store operations, customer and employee management, inventory tracking and other business aspects. These are but a few of the topics that will be covered tomorrow, with Ket Venethongkham, Director of Retail Pro University, and James McGibbon, a Trainer at Retail Pro University, both on hand to present the platform's many benefits and answer questions. 

Great customer service, along with a swift and smooth workflow, requires best in class retail software that can meet the demands of businesses and consumers alike. Retail Pro Prism gives merchants with a versatile platform that can be tailored to the individual needs of their enterprise while streamlining store operations. The system's customer and employee management tools, as well as point of sale capabilities, provide controls for all levels of a chain. 

Retail Pro Prism also offers seamless integration at the point of sale between mobile and desktop options, to reflect the modern marketplace. Retail industry professionals interested in the solution can attend the webinar scheduled for Thursday, November 7 between 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. PDT. Registration information can be found at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/285623402.

Ket Venethongkham, Director of Retail Pro University, and James McGibbon, a Trainer at Retail Pro University, will lead participants through Retail Pro Prism's many features, such as its customizable options for printed documents, centralized return and exchange verification processing and enhanced customer management abilities. The pair will highlight the system's flexibility and how merchants can leverage the technology regardless of their retail specialization. 

No matter where customers are, whether at home or otherwise, they are almost always online. When completing Internet-based purchases is as easy as picking up the phone, merchants will want to be sure they are providing robust e-commerce solutions to meet the needs of the anytime, anywhere shopper. 

Retail Pro E-Commerce provides industry professionals with software that links the Web store with in-store inventory management tools. Merchants interested in learning more about how the solution can improve their Web presence can sign up for the Retail Pro E-Commerce webinar being held on Thursday, October 24, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. PDT. Registration information can be found at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/525566842.

Using this system, retailers can customize their online store for different audiences and brands. This simple-to-use solution builds upon brick-and-mortar point of sale software, and integrates many of the processes between it and the Internet-based counterpart to create seamless, efficient operations both in-store and online. Pre-designed templates allow swift implementation of the technology, while its tools enable staff members to utilize the new system without need for additional training. Participants can explore these features in greater depth during the upcoming webinar. 

Departmental silos can slow work down and hinder store operations. The ability for merchants to seamlessly integrate their online offerings with brick-and-mortar sales, as well as move inventory through the warehouse from shelf to point of sale, are all important to an efficiently running a business. 

Retail Pro 9 grants decision-makers greater transparency and more fluid workflow throughout all levels of their organization, while including critical monitoring and analytics tools to enhance services. Its near real-time reporting features let merchants know what is happening, when it is happening. Retail industry professionals can learn more about the platform tomorrow during the Retail Pro 9 webinar from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. PDT. Registration information is available at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/205809666.

Participants will be able to learn about the flexibility and customizability the solution provides to their business. During the session, Ket Venethongkham, Director of Retail Pro University, and James McGibbon, a Trainer at Retail Pro University, will cover topics such as Retail Pro 9's integrated ecommerce capabilities, employee security and management tools and its centralized transaction controls. 

In just a few days, retail industry professionals from across the world will converge on Barcelona, Spain, for the 2013 Retail Pro Global Conference. Attendees can learn about the changes affecting the market and how they can adapt to point of sale evolution across multiple channels. Participants will get a glimpse of the retail technology they can deploy to manage their businesses, while having the opportunity to network with their colleagues. 

The two-part conference will be split between the Retail Pro Business Partners Summit scheduled for October 18-20, and the Customers Summit planned for October 20-22. Business Partners and Customers who are still considering the event can find the agendas for both summits at https://www.retailpro.com/Community/2013Conference/Agenda.php.

As retail software plays an important role in running a streamlined organization, both summits will include a session from Bill Colley, Retail Pro SVP of Development, and Kevin Connor, Retail Pro Director of Product Management. They will present "The Roadmap for the Present & the Future of Our Products," during which they will discuss Retail Pro product development in the past year, as well as releases planned for the future. Other topics throughout the conference will include omnichannel retail, mobile commerce and the importance of business intelligence. 

Retail Pro Business Partners and Customers can register now for the 2013 Global Conference at https://www.retailpro.com/Community/2013Conference/Registration.php.