PDA AT TOP-TOY PLAYS A CRUCIAL ROLE
PDA plays a crucial role in the digitalization of Top-Toy
Efficiency and usability were at the top of the list when TOP-TOY started a comprehensive digitalization project for the organization’s 307 stores in the Nordics almost two years ago. In order to increase efficiency, usability and customer experience, a PDA was an indispensable part. The PDA gave mobility to the clerks’ work. No matter where they are in the store, they can order, reorder, print shelf labels and take stock, thus contributing to qualified customer service.
Three years ago, with CIO Kenneth Messerschmidt at the helm, an ambitious plan was laid out to integrate SAP into various business areas, clean up IT systems and licenses, increase service and efficiency in the stores and at the same time reduce the group’s IT costs by 40%.
– When we launched the ambitious plan three years ago, optimizing service and efficiency in the stores was the starting point. With this in mind, we decided to purchase high-quality PDAs for all stores. The PDA was originally intended to be used for reorders, status and printing shelf labels, but today it is used for much more,” says Kenneth Messerschmidt, who is very pleased with the benefits of the PDAs purchased.
PDA IS PART OF THE UNIFORM
After testing a number of PDAs, TOP-TOY chose to purchase the PDA named ‘PM80’ from Delfi Technologies. The Delfi PM80 can both scan and work as a mini computer. The PDA looks a bit like an iPhone, but with a built-in barcode scanner and is much more robust.
– The PM80 has all the features that stores have been asking for: touchscreen, speed, barcode scanner, long battery life and a reasonable price. Most importantly, it plays a crucial role for the individual employee in their work and professional pride,” says CIO Kenneth Messerschmidt.
"When we launched the ambitious plan three years ago, optimizing service and efficiency in the stores was the starting point. With this in mind, we decided to purchase high-quality PDAs for all stores"
IN-STORE MOBILITY INCREASES EFFICIENCY
One of the tasks the PM80 is used for is when the price of an item needs to be changed. The clerk simply scans the item and then prints a new shelf label. The status task that used to be done after closing time can now be done during opening hours because it takes half the time and because the systems keep track of the ongoing transactions. This means that staff simply scan through the count rather than the manual approach – the same happens for ordering and reordering goods, for example. In addition, professional pride is also boosted as the clerk in direct contact with the customer can check the arrival of an item if it is out of stock, for example.
The PDA was marketed as ‘Your new best friend’ to TOP-TOY’s many shop assistants. Sune Roed, who has 10 years’ experience as Store Manager and one year as ‘Business Process Manager’ at the head office, was involved in testing the PM80 and has since then been in charge of developing and teaching the use of the PM80
– When we chose the PM80 as the preferred ‘tool’ for store staff, it was with the aim of increasing efficiency and at the same time making things easier for the individual store clerk. With the PM80, clerks can order items, check stock, search for items and much, much more. They no longer have to go to the checkout to check a single item for the customer, it can be done while standing with the customer,” says Sune Roed, who has great ambitions on behalf of his store colleagues to continue to make their workday easier by optimizing processes and business procedures.
Initially, only SAP applications were to be available on the PM80, but after a few months of operation, store staff now have access to a range of apps that allow stores to communicate with each other via ‘Yammer’ (professional Facebook), webmail, SMS etc. The feedback has been positive and the store staff’s ‘Best Friend’ has become part of the uniform.
SOTI – MOBILE DEVICE MANAGEMENT
When TOP-TOY chose the PM80, they also wanted mobile management, a software solution that could manage all aspects of business mobility, tracking physical assets, managing applications and content, and securing data.
As Delfi Technologies works closely with SOTI, the leading provider ofMobile Device Management, it was natural for TOP-TOY to purchase the total PDA solution, both the PM80 and SOTI Mobility Management for all BR and Toy”R”Us stores.
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