Cloud-based solutions are rapidly growing. As the benefits of cloud computing keep emerging, more brands are turning to retail execution software for a variety of processes.
Point solutions have been popular for some time. However, as brands’ tech stacks grow increasingly larger, more field teams are experiencing the drawbacks of needing to juggle their work across multiple platforms. Because of this, all-in-one solutions are quickly proving to be the stronger option for teams that value agility and integration in their workflows.
The all-in-one model isn't just a novelty. It offers several advantages over single-use solutions for all CPG brands. Here are six ways investing in this kind of retail execution software can improve your workflow and make you a better asset to your retail partners.
Accessibility
The things that will benefit you are often in line with what is best for your retail partners as well. The usability of an all-in-one platform is significantly higher than having reps bounce from one platform to another constantly throughout their day. In turn, brands that have better ease of use when it comes to their reporting platforms tend to have an easier time sharing those reports with their partners.
The prospect of having to train employees on multiple platforms can turn brands away from single-application models. Workers could easily mix up various applications, leading to errors. Even if these mistakes don't impact a brand’s bottom line, they can harm the customer experience.
Any software slip-ups during the workday mean a higher potential for missed growth opportunities. If employees don't have to stop and think about what app they're using, however, it will create a smooth, professional experience. Since all-in-one solutions are more accessible, employees can get used to them faster. As a result, all-in-one solutions are a better business model for retail.
Cost Reduction
All-in-one solutions are also more affordable than their single-use counterparts. You may think that prices would end up being the same, since, in the end, you'd use the same amount of programs. While you may be able to find similarly-priced options for both approaches, all-in-one solutions provide several cost benefits.
All-in-one models offer increased productivity since users don't have to switch back and forth between programs. This ease of use saves time, and time is money. Employees will be able to work faster, accomplishing the same work in a tighter schedule.
A centralized suite also means a simplified pricing model. Straightforward pricing is easier for your brand to understand what they’re paying in the end, vs. having to calculate the total cost of multiple applications with different pricing models or billing cycles.
Compatibility
One of the leading issues of single-use applications is that not all software integrates together. The various aspects of selling at retail are connected, so incompatible software doesn't make sense in the retail world. All-in-one field execution software, on the other hand, ensures compatibility through all processes.
With this model, users can be sure all their functions work seamlessly together. Single-use solutions make you spend extra time finding integratible options. This process can limit your choices, and you may not be able to find complete compatibility at all.
With an all-in-one model, it's also easier to introduce new services. If an advanced feature comes out for one of the applications, you don't have to worry about the update causing compatibility problems. Since upgrades apply to the entire suite, they won't harm one function in favor of another.
Security
Security is a priority for all cloud-based solutions. Any breaches in your field execution software's security could mean field teams lose critical data or money. Thankfully, all-in-one solutions offer safety advantages for both you and your clients.
It could be challenging to find a security solution that works consistently across multiple apps. Security measures that work wonders on a point-of-sale program may not do the same for a separate scheduling tool. With an all-encompassing execution software solution, this wouldn't be an issue.
This approach allows for consistent security measures across the entire suite. Finding and implementing an all-encompassing security solution will be a much more straightforward process.
Scalability
One of the most prominent benefits of cloud-based execution software is its scalability. If you plan on expanding your business, you'll need a software solution that can also grow. All-in-one retail execution software offers greater scalability than other models.
With an all-encompassing solution, you don't have to update each application individually. This quick scalability ensures consistent and timely performance upgrades, increasing productivity and profitability.
With all-in-one field execution software, you can scale it almost instantly, making it a more versatile solution for brands of all sizes.
Better Data Collection
Data collection is one of the pillars of modern business. To improve the usefulness of your analytics, you need to gather more and varied information, but this can come with a few challenges. With more data points, the process of gathering or organizing things can take longer.
All-in-one retail execution software offers both diversified data and a more straightforward way to gather it. This model encompasses more processes, giving you more information, but it also provides a single pipeline for it. Analysts could get robust stats from just one execution software solution.
Everyone can benefit from this streamlined but well-rounded data gathering solution. It offers helpful insights for brands, developers and researchers alike.
All-in-One vs. Single-Use Solutions
Single-use software is ideal for businesses that only need to solve one problem. However, brands very rarely have only one problem to solve, which is why they end up with so many solutions. Since brands need the functionality to solve multiple problems at once, the best way to meet this need is with all-in-one retail execution software.
This type of field execution software provides advantages not just to the reps using it, but to their managers, retail partners, and the entire brand as a whole. All-in-one triumphs over single-use solutions in nearly every category, so as time goes on, it’ll certainly become the norm.
