Mobile Computers: Future Trend of Supermarket Management Digitalization

For supermarkets to grow and succeed in the coming years, they need to embrace mobile computers.  

Mobile computers comprise various devices, from smartphones and tablets to RFID (radio frequency identification) technology. These devices, coupled with specialised software applications, can enhance management efficiency. 

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of mobile computer technology:

1. Hardware

The physical mobile device and supporting hardware that supermarket retailers interact with make up the mobile hardware. They help to streamline operations such as payment processing, store shelf allocation, staff management, and checkout. These include: 

• Handheld Scanners 

Handheld scanners in supermarkets pave the way for a more convenient shopping experience. Customers take the scanner from the storefront and link it to their store loyalty card. Then, as they shop, they scan each product before adding it to the physical cart.  

Once finished, the shopping cart list is downloaded from the handheld scanner, and the customer can pay quickly at the checkout terminal. 

• Smartphones and Tablets

These devices allow you to access real-time information, update inventory, manage staff, and perform various tasks on the go.

They can even help with internal food safety audits. With a mobile, you can check the food temperatures throughout the day, even as shifts change. It will notify you immediately about broken equipment, including faulty refrigeration.

• RFID Technology

RFID technology involves the placement of RFID tags on supermarket items that emit signals to RFID readers. These are then processed by software, offering real-time information about the products. That way, RFID technology allows you to track your inventory throughout the supply chain, from the warehouse shelves to the supermarket.

 2. Software 

This refers to the applications that run on mobile devices, including mobile operating systems and supermarket management software. These include: 

• Point of Sale Software (POS) 

A POS, or point-of-sale system, combines hardware and software solutions that manage sales. It speeds up the checkout process by quickly scanning the items while offering many payment processing choices. 

The system provides valuable insights into customer behaviour and preferences. Store managers can analyse sales patterns, identify peak hours, and spot high-performing products to deliver a better customer experience. 

• Grocery Automation Software 

This new software for supermarkets integrates with the store’s POS systems to automate manual pricing and temporary price reduction and offer analysis of your entire store. 

The major benefit of GAS is that it offers a report on the store sales data and provides insights to improve daily store operations. It even automates manual spreadsheet tasks, eliminating inventory and pricing errors. 

• Inventory Management Software 

Inventory management software is a system used to manage in-store products. It informs about the low inventory on the shelves or back of the store so that you can make timely arrangements for restocking. 

The system updates the stock count with every sale, allowing you to track popular items, identify slow-moving products, and make informed decisions about product inventory.