Epicor Supports iPhone, iPad, Mobile Tools

Addressing retailers' desire to leverage mobile devices to drive transaction efficiencies, and improve operational visibility and customer engagement, Epicor Software Corp., a leading provider of enterprise business software solutions to the midmarket and Global 1000 companies, is demonstrating the power and functionality of its retail applications on the Apple iPad and iPhone at NRF 2011, the industry's premier retail technology showcase.

Armed with only an iPad device and a small Bluetooth barcode scanner, retailers can use Epicor solutions to place orders, process sales transactions, and support other retail applications such as Business Intelligence, Enterprise Selling, and Customer Relationship Management to manage every aspect of business, from product sourcing and merchandising to customer loyalty and cross-channel sales transactions.

"The iPad launch made 2010 the year of the tablet," said Randy Tofteland, executive vice president, retail software for Epicor. "And now tablets are the hottest consumer electronics devices, with new models from several major players just launched last week at the Consumer Electronics Show. Today, the ultraportable tablet computer is fast becoming a crucial business and productivity tool for retailers."

Tofteland says that while he expects many retail vendors to announce support for stand-alone retail applications at NRF, Epicor's a value proposition is tablet support for its full suite of retail functionality, eliminating the need for one-off integration point projects.

Mobile Tools
Epicor is also supporting text messaging. "This year we're demonstrating new ways retailers can leverage text messaging functionality that are different and more strategic when compared with how the vast majority of retailers are using it today," said Tofteland. "Retailers have an opportunity to leverage mobile messaging for tremendous impact; however, they need to inspire consumers to take action outside of just reading the text."

"By opting-in to text messaging, a consumer has already indicated their interest in receiving information and offers about a brand, which indicates some level of loyalty and/or preference toward that brand. In the U.S., there is a very high read rate for opt-in text messages (95%); however, many retailers are missing this tremendous opportunity by employing ineffective or underwhelming text messaging efforts that are not proving successful in driving revenue or conversion," he said.