Mobile devices in retail
Stores use more devices every year. Staff count stock and receive goods with handheld terminals. Sales assistants check availability on tablets. Customers look up prices and products at kiosks. Some stores run Android-based screens for product information.
Most stores have no IT staff, and a chain may have hundreds of locations. Without central management, each device becomes a separate support case. A mobile device management (MDM) system lets head office set up every device the same way and solve most problems remotely.
Customer-facing kiosks
Kiosks and price checkers are used by the public, so they must be locked down. With kiosk mode, the device runs one app, returns to it after a restart and hides settings and notifications. The kiosk and dedicated devices page describes the setup in detail.
One chain, many store groups
Stores differ in size, format and region. With policies assigned by group, each set of stores gets its own apps and restrictions, while IT keeps one console. New stores simply join an existing group.
Store content and announcements
Promotions and procedures change every week. With content management, head office sends documents, planograms and training material to the devices of the right stores, and messages reach store teams on the same day. Store staff do not have to search email or wait for printed copies.
How a typical rollout looks
- Define store groups by region, format or franchise.
- Prepare devices centrally. Enroll them with a QR code before shipping, so they arrive in the store ready to use. See device enrollment.
- Publish store apps and keep them current with app management.
- Lock public devices in kiosk mode and shared handhelds to work apps.
- Support remotely. The help desk uses Live Control for store calls, and messaging to reach store teams.
Shared handhelds
Handheld terminals are shared by many employees, including seasonal staff. The shared devices page explains how to keep them consistent between users.