Mobile Merchandising Software is Key to Consolidating Retail Data

Consolidating retail data coming from store audits used to be a time- and labor-intensive process: Many merchandisers auditing several stores generate a considerable amount of paperwork, and transcribing this information into quantifiable data can overwhelm analytics personnel as well as leave a lot of space for human error.

Mobile merchandising software turns the rep's smartphones and tablets into data-collecting devices just by installing an app while also allowing office-based supervisors and managers to customize the forms and checklists the reps will be answering. Moreover, all data collected is automatically stored in the cloud and quantified, leading to up-to-the-minute reports. 

This is why mobile merchandising software is the key to consolidating data.

However, beyond being a game-changing technology when it comes to data collection and consolidation, mobile merchandising software also has many other features, such as:

Real-time map view of field rep activity
GPS tracking of field reps and retail auditors, enabling the monitoring of in-store activities by marketing and merchandising managers and the verification of user location at the time of each activity.

A complete platform for managing retail audits
Including full form customization with photos and signatures and visit scheduling, planning, and routing.

Management of store distribution lists 
Allowing for customized forms according to the products available at each store.

Spreadsheet and analytics reports
Customizable reporting on activities, locations, and users.

VisitBasis is a complete mobile merchandising software solution that allows businesses of all sizes to quickly and easily implement a cost-efficient in-store data collection system with no need for technical knowledge.

Learn more about how VisitBasis can work for you: Schedule an online demo or sign up for a free trial.

3 Reasons for Implementing Cloud-Based Field Force Merchandising Software

Retail-focused companies, such as CPG manufacturers and sales and marketing agencies, face a real dilemma on whether to implement field force merchandising software. While there are some clear material benefits brought by the technology - such as the virtual elimination of paper forms - the costs can escalate for larger teams.

Cloud-based field force merchandising software, however, brings in other reasons beyond the straightforward material and monetary aspects of why it should be implemented. Here are some of them:

GPS verification of visits
One of the most serious challenges field force supervisors face is fraudulent visits. Not only because of staff non-compliance issues but also because it will likely skew merchandising audit results, possibly leading to flopped strategies. Field force merchandising software, through GPS verification of visits, will, therefore, increase rep compliance as well as audit accuracy.

Agility in correcting or refocusing strategies
Issues with traditional pen-and-paper retail audits include the lag time between data capture at the store and running reports at the office, as well as the time it takes to correct and deploy new forms. This means that many issues get overlooked and whatever strategy is implemented has to be carried out for a while, even if it needs adjustments. Field force merchandising software allows not only for faster detection of issues with up-to-the-minute reporting but also for tweaking forms as a project or campaign progresses.

Reduced out-of-stocks and other in-store issues
Finally, field force merchandising software makes it easier to have more frequent store visits and, with them, better supervision of brands and categories at stores.

VisitBasis is a field force merchandising software that transforms the rep's mobile devices into retail data capture tools. Would you like to see how your business can benefit from implementing VisitBasis? Sign up today for a free trial at www.visitbasis.com.