Web-based Software Automation and the Cellular Retailer

Scalability
Cellular retailers need software that can effectively manage their business every step of the way, from one store to hundreds of stores. With a centralized web-based management system, there is no need to outfit new stores with expensive software. With a click of a button, a new store location can be added instantly to the centralized database. With a few more clicks, the store's inventory and employee data are added. The store can then be maintained and monitored in real-time, all without involving IT or costly installs.

Data Storage
Data storage is an integral part of a solid web-based software automation solution. Online data storage provides secure real-time access to vital company information, increasing efficiency and eliminating excess paperwork.

A new and exciting value-added feature of online data storage for the cellular retailer is the ability to scan and upload important documents into the web-based system. With this feature, retailers can easily use their scanners and hardware to upload into their system not only important customer and carrier contracts and copies of customers' ID's, but also any important documents that they feel are necessary and vital to the organization and the way it does business. These documents can then be made accessible to all members of the company from anywhere, at any time.

Online data storage eliminates the need for retailers to keep triplicate copies of a customer's important documents, and removes the need for maintaining an expensive and time-consuming paper trail.

Data Security
With the right measures in place, unauthorized users will never access vital data without permission. By using Secure-Socket Layer (SSL) accelerators, web-based applications can deliver the maximum security available at the highest performance rate possible.

Coupled with customizable levels of on-site security, web-based software automation applications can offer a much higher level of security than most retailers can provide on their own.

Product and Inventory Management
Software automation allows cellular retailers to manage their inventory in real-time across several stores. By using a centralized database to track their serialized inventory, retailers instantly know what items are in stock and where those items are located. Automated inventory management increases accountability and reduces product shrinkage by creating a real-time audit trail.

Commission Management
With increasingly complex cellular provider commission structures, manually reconciling commissions is nearly impossible. The many factors involved in determining commissions (rate plans, features, bonuses, and sales volume, to name a few) change frequently and are different from provider to provider.

Automating the reconciliation process not only reduces the time it takes to determine commissions, it also greatly increases accuracy by detecting and correcting errors. This means no more searching through piles of purchase orders, credit memos, and activations.