WiFi pays retailers in spades

7 Apr 2015

EarthLink and IHL released a joint study last week that shines a light on the specific ways different types of localized WiFi networks are helping businesses, and how enterprises are adapting to the realities of a more mobile and data-centric world.

Companies are changing their point-of-sale systems to try to stay competitive, the study indicates. Up to 70% of certain retail shops are moving toward more comprehensive point-of-sale systems, with advanced IT features and transaction data moving through a wide area network.

The way companies are using in-house WiFi is particularly interesting.

While about one-third of retail respondents said WiFi service for customers was increasing customer loyalty, almost half claimed that they were getting better customer loyalty results by providing WiFi systems for employee use.

That result shows the value of "creating a connected, flexible workforce untethered to point-of-sale stations," IHL researchers wrote.

An estimated 40% of respondents' IT budgets were going toward "new and innovative systems" - a significant uptick from previous figures of 15% to 30%.

WiFi installations also allow retailers to track a variety of analytics, gaining greater insights into their customers.

Read the full article on E-CommerceTimes.com