Switching to Mobile Store Audits

In the retail business, recurring store audits are a mandatory activity in order to maintain profitability and compliance. Recently, mobile technology has brought a revolution to retail audits: Besides virtually eliminating paper from the process,  the data captured by mobile devices is a lot easier to access and report on.

What should a retail business, then, look for in a mobile app for store audits when implementing such systems? Here are some guidelines:

1. Cross-platform, Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD)
Although store or brand staff can do audits with corporate-owned devices, it is a best practice to have independent auditors that can perform "surprise" inspections. A cross-platform mobile app for store audits allows independent auditors to perform such activities using their own mobile devices, with no need for extra equipment.

2. Customizable audit forms
When selecting a mobile app for store audits, it is important to make sure that the software allows for custom audit forms. Management might need different information at different times, and audit forms need to be able to evolve with the experience that comes with recurring activities.

3. Automatic notifications
Some issues uncovered by audits cannot wait to be rectified: Out-of-stocks, potential liability issues such as trip or chemical hazards, promotions not implemented correctly, etc. An effective mobile app for store audits will allow for setting up automatic notifications for specific tasks to the appropriate parties, so mission-critical events can be addressed as soon as possible.

VisitBasis is a complete mobile app for store audits that provides all of the above features and much more. See for yourself - sign up today for a free trial!