Six benefits of cloud technology: The future for retailers

From better customer service to reliability and security, we look at some key benefits cloud technology offers to the retailers who adopt it.

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Date published
August 31, 2020 Categories

30-second summary:

  • Even though cloud computing is virtually in every industry, it can be seen predominantly in the business world. As technology advances and gains popularity, businesses in various sectors have migrated their infrastructures on this virtual platform.
  • With cloud technology, retailers are able to swap their legacy systems for structures that adapt quite well with the ever-evolving market. In addition to comprehensive benefits, including disaster planning and cost-effectiveness, retailers are able to enjoy a host of other benefits from the cloud.
  • With cloud point of sale systems, retailers have better supply chain visibility. You won’t have to worry about stock-outs and can manage your store from anywhere with a cloud POS.
  • Another communication-based benefit from the cloud is the cross-departmental communication it allows. If they have access to the cloud, the staff members and managers can collaborate effortlessly on various business decisions.

In order to be on top of their business, retailers need to be smart and agile. This though can’t happen if they are stuck with their in-house IT system that is impossible to integrate with the latest technology. However, did you know that you can manage your store from anywhere with a cloud POS?

Cloud technology brings you flexibility and the agility that you need. In this article, we’ll go over the importance of cloud point of sale systems and their six benefits for retailers.

This content was created in partnership with whit Content Media.

Manage your store from anywhere with a cloud —Importance of cloud technology in retail

Cloud computing encompasses a network of various remote servers that are on the internet to store, process, and manage data. Cloud computing, in this regard, refers to the services that are offered by these remote servers over the internet. The service has revolutionized the way we do business.

Even though cloud computing is virtually in every industry, it can be seen predominantly in the business world. As technology advances and gains popularity, businesses in various sectors have migrated their infrastructures on this virtual platform.

One such sector is retail, which has utilized these services to gain competitive advantage and drive sales.

With cloud technology, retailers are able to swap their legacy systems for structures that adapt quite well with the ever-evolving market. In addition to comprehensive benefits, including disaster planning and cost-effectiveness, retailers are able to enjoy a host of other benefits from the cloud.

Keep on scrolling to learn more about these benefits!

Benefits of cloud technology for retailers

Here are a few benefits that retailers can enjoy from shifting to cloud technology:

1)  Better customer service

Every retailer wants its customers to be satisfied. They want to present offers and values that become popular among their consumers. Cloud technology is able to provide exactly this and much more!

With a cloud retail management system, you can get customer insights that may help you create personalized offerings and targeted services.

Moreover, an online POS system will also impact your customer service process. Cloud systems offer product information and inventory lists to store clerks. Should a consumer ask for such information, the clerk can readily provide them.

Furthermore, as many of your services become automated, you have plenty of time to spend on customer service!

2)  Supply chain visibility

With cloud point of sale systems, retailers have better supply chain visibility. You won’t have to worry about stock-outs and can manage your store from anywhere with a cloud POS.

With the cloud, you will have better information regarding your inventory management, documents from your suppliers or carriers, the status of your logistics providers and brokers, etc.

A better supply chain visibility lets the retailer make informed decisions regarding their business that may help in reducing costs and boosting the bottom line.

3)  Improve communication within your organization

A business can’t run without adequate communication. A retailer who struggles with communication, both externally and internally, can utilize a cloud-based POS system to bridge the gap.

You will be able to maintain strong communication between your staff and customers. Should a customer have a complaint, your team will be better able to assist them with it.

Cloud-based point of sale systems offer you to manage communication from any device, which your staff can tap into to communicate with your customer.

Another communication-based benefit from the cloud is the cross-departmental communication it allows. If they have access to the cloud, the staff members and managers can collaborate effortlessly on various business decisions.

4)  Useful insights into your business

Generally, as a retail business, you generate a lot of data. This data is fragmented across various IT systems in the absence of a cloud system, which makes it challenging to gather insights from it.

With a cloud system, you are able not just to store your data in one place but gather insights from it as well. This allows you to see how your business is performing, where you’re lacking, and how much exactly you would need to become successful in your endeavors.

5)  Reliability and security

Retailers are often concerned about the security of their data, as well as the reliability of the cloud service they are opting for.

Today’s cloud POS systems have better reliability and provide availability 24/7. Moreover, you get assistance in case of an issue, and representatives ensure to solve whatever problem you’re having readily.

As for the security of your data, cloud-based systems are generally more secure than the servers you use in-house. This is because cloud technology incorporates high levels of security and backup procedures to prevent a data breach.

6)  You are able to create new products

As mentioned previously, cloud systems offer data insights. With these insights, retailers are able to recognize customer favorites and market trends that allow them to create new products. With such data analytics, retailers can create and sell the products that their customers want the most.

Another way the cloud helps retailers in making new products is by offering creation and maintenance tools so that businesses don’t need to buy hardware for the production phase.

Wrapping up

Cloud computing has taken over the majority of the world’s industries, with many companies enjoying its benefits and its efficient services. Like other industries, cloud computing offers various benefits to the retail sector as well.

This article explained the importance of cloud systems in retail and the benefits that come with shifting to a cloud system.

A cloud system not only allows you to manage your store from anywhere with a cloud POS, but it also gives better business insights, allows for better customer service, streamlines communication with customers as well as within an organization, helps in bettering supply chain visibility, provides security and reliability, and allows retailers to come up with new products with the ingenious insights it offers.

So, what are you waiting for? Shift your cash register and legacy system to a cloud-based point of sale system and see the difference it brings to your business!

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