IoT for Retail

Modern retailers use the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve service, optimize operations, and gain advanced insights from their stores.

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How you can simply connect retail applications?

A small sim-card and a smart platform provides everything you need.

Challenges for IoT in Retail

The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming many industries, but the term originated in retail, where it’s been revolutionizing RFID and more for over 20 years. Kevin Ashton first referenced the Internet of Things in a presentation he created for Procter & Gamble in 1999, where he described the possibilities of linking P & G’s RFID system to the Internet. In the years since, IoT has been used in retail to enhance the customer experience, complete transactions, track and monitor inventory, reduce operating costs, and more. Connected devices can improve various retail processes, and the applications are still growing as businesses discover new ways IoT can serve customers and simplify inventory management.

But if you’re developing IoT solutions in this space, you’ll find some unique connectivity challenges:

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Lack of IoT solutions

Retail operations can take place in outdoor, indoor, and mobile environments, which many IoT connectivity solutions aren’t suited for.

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Secure Data

Customer data is highly sensitive, and some of the worst IoT security breaches have occurred in the retail industry.

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Network structure

Large retail operations involve vast amounts of data and require robust networks to facilitate consistent service.

Use Cases for IoT in Retail

  • Connected devices pave the way for automating repetitive tasks, simplifying data management, and detecting irregularities. Here are some of the ways IoT is solving problems in retail today.

    Specifications:

    pos-1

    PoS terminals need to provide smooth, secure service. Poor connections can cause transaction failures, delays, and loss of sales. With emnify’s carrier-agnostic IoT SIM cards, your devices connect to the best signals wherever you are and route your data through the nearest cloud server to decrease latency.

    Read more about emnify's solution for PoS.

  • Connected devices pave the way for automating repetitive tasks, simplifying data management, and detecting irregularities. Here are some of the ways IoT is solving problems in retail today.

    Specifications:

    inventory-1

    Inventory management was the first application for IoT in retail, and it’s grown to include a variety of opportunities. Today’s retailers combine RFIDs with IoT sensors to track product data including expiration dates, compliance requirements, stock, location, and more.

    They can track product shipments and get real-time insights into their supply chain and manage resources more efficiently.

  • Connected devices pave the way for automating repetitive tasks, simplifying data management, and detecting irregularities. Here are some of the ways IoT is solving problems in retail today.

    Specifications:

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    If a vending machine runs out of inventory or malfunctions, it’s just wasting power and taking up floor space. Using IoT connectivity, retailers can adjust delivery schedules with vendors and coordinate with maintenance teams based on the machine’s current needs.

    Sensors can track how much of each product is available and send alerts when it reaches an established threshold or experiences an error.

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