Introduction of New Mobility Technology - Research Proposal Example

Introduction of New Mobility Technology al Affiliation Introduction of New Mobility Technology Introduction In the 21st century, enhanced mobility has proved necessary, as part and parcel of daily life, with demand for access to various business applications and information systems being crucial towards efficient and effective conduct of business. Access of enterprise applications and information platforms through mobile technologies such as Apple’s iPad and iPhone amongst other devices running on Windows 7 Mobile or Google Android platforms has increasingly surged in the contemporary era. This has been founded upon increased consumer behavioral traits and preferences, which have inevitably spilt over into the business work arena. The proposal will aim at showcasing how Wal-Mart, is to benefit from the introduction of new mobility technology. Specific focus will be placed upon the benefits of introducing iPads into the entity’s stores, in terms of not only increased sales, but also market positioning, internal utility and conformity, as well as work-force enhancement. The development of the iPad has brought about many changes in the market today. It has not stayed for long in the market but has changed the way business is conducted. The device is stylish, technologically sound and portable meaning that it provides businesses with a wide variety of advantages. It has an ease of functionality and is efficient in its use making it popular among people of different ages. The iPad does not choose between people of different ages nor does it alienate any person from using it. In addition, the software and the applications that are used in the iPad make it easy for the masses to use it not only for personal reasons but also for business purposes. The continued massive growth witnessed in the 21st century, in terms of adoption and utility of such technologies all over the world, has led to a majority of business leaders wondering on the most effective means of positioning their firm-entities. As Baltzan (2013) portrays, this is in the aim of benefitting from this upsurge in technology use. Informative is the fact that in the contemporary arena, information technology has spread to all fields of business, thus the need for wholesome embrace and utility. Thus, understanding IT in general provides market leaders and management with greater insight into the endless possibilities in the business world (Baltzan, 2013). Apps are easy to connect with the target audience in a cost-effective and impactful way because of the portability of the device, the applications it supports and the costs of acquiring it also using it. As such, this can help Wal-Mart to attract more customers by creating an application that people can use to locate Wal-Mart shops near them and also the products and services that they can find at Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart should also create an application that be used in iPads by customers to purchase products directly from the retail shops and be delivered to them by the company. This will be advantageous for the firm because it will increase its sales and gain more customers. Apps can be used as a marketing move because people have become addicted to apps and acceptance to certain apps makes them viral. Therefore, Wal-Mart should create an app that can pull masses even if it does not directly link to sales. This can then be used to create a worldwide market for Wal-Mart’s products where customers can order products online and receive them after payment (Mobile Technology for Increased Productivity & Profitability, 2014). Today, due to the prevailing technological advancement, people are able to simply push a button/ tap their phones and be able to find or access varying information at any given time. We currently live in the information age, which is primarily characterized by the presence of infinite quantities of information, accessible to all individuals who are able to access the internet. Accordingly, the impactful nature of technology upon the international business arena is undisputed, being equated to the previous century’s influence by the printing press on media and publishing. Pertinent is the fact that various enterprises were previously unheard of prior to the digital/ information age, thereby showcasing the vital importance of IT in the contemporary era (Baltzan, 2013). Critical to the discussion is how Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., as an expanding American global retailer, is to successfully utilize available avenues towards increasing its overall sales volumes, hence retaining its competitive advantage. This is based upon the fact that many other enterprises have continuously seen an opportunity through which they may change the way their business operations are run. Accordingly, with Wal-Mart’s potential uptake and subsequent utility of the power of IT, towards availing ‘tailored’ products and services to existing consumers, it will considerably enhance its overall standing not only nationally, but also globally. This is in addition to enhancing payment methods through introduction of fast and easy payment methods based upon various IT platforms. An important aspect in this regard is the need to understand enough pertaining to the information age, to aptly apply technology use in its primary business focus of retailing. This is achievable through innovative implementation of technology into its pertinent business aspects (Panzarino, 2013). As America’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is set to greatly enhance its overall regional and global competitiveness, based upon its successful uptake of IT-based applications. Pertinent to this strategy is the proposed uptake of Apple’s iPad, especially its POS Systems, which are viewed as the future of retailing. Influential is the need for the entity to effectively relate and engage their most valued customers. This would be adequately catered for through implementation of the iPad’s novel Point of Sale (POS) systems, whereby these gadgets would effectively replace the long-held ‘traditional’ cash register. By equipping its clerks/ cashiers with these gadgets especially its mini ‘7 inch’ tablet, the retailer would effectively enable its consumers pay for their items and services through online platforms. Furthermore, the retailer will also reduce some of its ‘overhead’ costs especially inventory and staff training, as the POS systems are able to operate at faster rates than the traditional registers (Vend Limited). Additionally is the fact that use and manipulation of the technology is easy to teach/ train, thereby reducing overall costs and time spent on employee training. Above all actual and potential benefits to be accrued from uptake of such technology would be the reduction in time spent on inventory (Mobility Technologies and Standards, 2013). Hence, management of its various terminals, as found within its different stores would be easier, as opposed to previous occasions where this was very time-intensive. The need to stream-line all aspects of an enterprise, without the sacrifice of different aspects i.e. powerful enterprise intelligence reporting, the best ‘third-party’ integrations, accessibility to cloud computing and high quality hardware etc, is one of the primary reasons why the global retailer needs to consider the introduction and subsequent application of new mobility technology (Strategic Growth Concepts). Based upon customer feedback, the retailer is set to benefit tremendously, given the thousands of consumers who flock into its stores on a daily basis (Mobile Technology for Increased Productivity & Profitability, 2014). This is in terms of speedy customer service and payment options, thereby enhancing overall operations and at the same time enhancing customer satisfaction. This will eventually set the retailer’s stores apart, due to the quick, safe and secure business operations present. Furthermore, consumers will have easier platforms on which to make safe and secure payments, given the continued trend towards wholesome embrace of e-commerce and e-payment methods. Furthermore, through utility of Apple’s iBeacon technology, the retailer is expected to enhance its overall consumer service, through enhancing easier access to its products (RFiD Centre). IPads configured as iBeacons would enable better management of items or products taken from the shelves, aiding further in the management of items sold and overall inventory. Panzarino (2013) portrays that this is through the devices Bluetooth connectivity, where the devices can act as not only transmitters, but also receivers. This will aid in changing the entity’s overall structure in terms of replacing the traditional registers, which take up space, with hand-held devices. Furthermore, there will be no need for a higher number of sales points, due to the presence of e-payment platforms where customers can easily make payments. Potentially, the extra costs that are to be incurred because of adoption of this new technology will be absorbed gradually through sales volumes of products and services provided. Due to the great volume of customers who frequent the retailers various stores, the extra costs will be absorbed adequately, without need for substantial increase of product/ services pricing. The proposal envisages no ethical or moral issues around the uptake of this technology, given that issues of information privacy and confidentiality are aptly catered for through various security measures (Panzarino, 2013). In conclusion, the uptake of information technology in the retail market is a necessary step towards enhancing overall competitiveness in the 21st century. Given the global nature of trade and commerce, Wal-Mart as a global retail entity, is set to greatly benefit from uptake of technology. This is not only in terms of increased efficiency and operations effectiveness, but also in enhancing the customers’ ease of conducting their business of buying goods and services. Therefore, the proposal stresses upon the need for the retailer to embrace such technology, towards enhancing overall competitiveness. References Baltzan, P. (2013). Business Driven Technology (5th Ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Irwin. Mobile Technology for Increased Productivity & Profitability. (2014). Strategic Growth Concepts, retrieved from: http://www.strategicgrowthconcepts.com/growth/increase-productivity--profitability.html Mobility Technologies and Standards. (2013). RFiD Centre, retrieved from: http://www.rfidc.com/docs/introductiontomobility_standards.htm Panzarino, M. (2013, Dec 7). The Open Secret of iBeacon: Apple could have 250M Potential Units in the wild by 2014. TC – Technology Crunch Network, retrieved from: http://techcrunch.com/2013/12/07/the-open-secret-of-ibeacon-apple-could-have-250m-units-in-the-wild-by-2014/ Top 20 retail apps to make the most of your iPad [The best iPad apps for retailers looking to run their stores on the go]. (2014). Vend Limited, retrieved from: http://www.vendhq.com/retail-apps Read More