Custom software solutions redefining success for retail businesses

Custom retail software solutions – few insightful stats

Let us start with a few stats and then we will move into our topic.

• 3 out of every 10 of your customers do not wait more than two minutes flat to find out whether the product they want is in the stock.
• If a retailer ends up with a series of three late or incomplete deliveries, nearly 4 out of every 5 customers do not visit him again.
• Nearly 9 out of every 10 customers walk out of a store if a product they are looking for is not available and there is no assistance in hand.

The facts, or rather trends, mentioned above strongly indicate that it is high-time for physically existing storefronts in the real world to invest in custom software development and leverage the benefits of custom software. To emphasize strongly in easy and simple words, digital transformation is the only way ahead for them to stay ahead in competition and enjoy an edge over their competitors.

Custom software solutions paving success for retail industry

The past few years have witnessed unprecedented transformation for the global retail industry. Evolution of innovative technologies has made the sector both fiercely competitive and fast paced. In addition to that, introduction of the cloud technology results in creating havoc disruption into the world of retail business. The sector is shaken from the ground up unlike ever that in the past. These technology shifts fuel the need for bespoke and advanced retail software solutions.

As such without automating the majority of humdrum and recurring operations in brick and mortar storefronts, businesses can hardly survive in the coming days. And without the right custom software solution businesses cannot achieve the much-needed automation in its day to day operations.

Thoroughly customized retail software solutions prove perfect for our clients. It is important to mention that at Digital Aptech, we cater to the exclusive needs of retail businesses of different sizes. Carefully tailored to perfection, personalized retail software solutions that we build for clients are easily scalable and meet the ever-growing needs of businesses smoothly. We develop solutions for a single storefront as well as for a big retail chain with an infinite array of POS or Points of Sale.

Few reasons that justify adoption of custom software applications in retail industry

Precisely customized software solutions provide a range of benefits. The range of software products –

• Enables fast and seamless switch to e-commerce
• Automates humdrum repetitive operations in any retail store
• Contributes heavily in streamlining payments as well as tracking invoices
• Ensures better management of inventory
• Brings advancements in fulfilment of orders

To cut a long story short, with smartly tailored software solutions retailers can serve their customers better and faster unlike anything else.
Reading into the future is not everybody’s forte. But it is safe to predict that in the coming times the trend of online shopping will only get stronger. It is also highly probable that the shift in customer behaviour mentioned above is going to continue. Retail businesses are just compelled to cater to the ever-rising expectations of consumers even with an array of limited resources.

Certain hurdles, like shortage of labor, products going out of stock and even with restrictions in transportation, are not going to fade away anytime sooner. Yet retail businesses have to keep meeting the ever-rising expectations of their customers consistently. Bespoke, individualized retail software solutions are their best bet to stay relevant and competent in a fiercely competitive market.

Custom retail software and the benefits to expect

Before understanding the benefits that custom retail software offers it is better to catch up with sufficient clarity on the standard features and capabilities of custom software applications for the retail sector.

• Smooth, flawless management of products, orders and inventory
• Contributing heavily to human resources and marketing campaigns
• Fast and flawless handling of financial transactions
• Managing and nurturing customer relations
• Streamlining the supply chain to facilitate seamless operations

Now let us explore the benefits that custom retail software applications provide.

Real-time visibility

For retailers it is easier controlling warehouses and shop floors in online mode with deployment of custom retail software solutions. In other words this makes the task of identifying whether any product is in or out of stock both easier and hassle-free.

It is even possible to send out alerts instantly through the range of software applications when something runs out of stock. Thus businesses can avoid lengthy downtimes pretty easily with inclusion of the software.

In-store processes are easily automated

All the crucial and significant tasks in any retail store are easily automated with introduction of retail software solutions. Some of these tasks include billing, auditing of the inventory, maintaining payroll records, regulating prices, reporting, processing returns and others.

Customer service enhancement

Custom software applications for retail businesses automate the majority of the processes in your store. As a result your employees become free to spend more time interacting with your customers. This helps promoting the latest arrivals as well as new products. Armed with historical data customer assistants can thus attend service calls from customers more effectively and with greater ease. On the whole retail businesses can save time, effort and money while driving higher sales. Moreover cases of returns and refunds dwindle sharply across stores. Above everything else directing customers to optimal solutions becomes easier.

Moreover the custom software applications include embedded analytics. As a result retailers, rather their marketing teams, can send personalized recommendations to customers. On basis of individual shopping history and online behaviors of customers, embedded analytics make these recommendations.

Retail software applications and their varieties

Varieties of retail software solutions are there in the market. Let us go through some of the major types of the product.

POS or Point of Sales software

Let us first get some basic idea about this software product type.

• Implementation of the range of software takes place inside brick and mortar storefronts.
• It is meant for shop management.
• The software facilitates seamless transactions, right on the spot, between the store and its customers.

According to statistics in between 2016 and 2024 the market for POS software grew at an annual rate of 14%. It is relevant to mention in this context that at Digital Aptech, we possess in-depth experiences in developing thoroughly customized POS software. Our products help retailers manage inventory, sales as well their employees easily.

We possess expertise in building custom POS for both single storefronts and retail networks. Our products help retailers boost their customer engagement as well as revenue.

Inventory management software solutions

Let us first get a glimpse of the range of software products.

• Tracking, managing and organizing of certain processes are easier with the use of custom inventory management software. These processes include production, product sales as well as purchasing materials.
• Inventory management software solutions work in sync with barcodes, identification of radio frequencies, wireless tracking and others to facilitate inventory tracking and control.

Digital Aptech has an experienced team of skilled software developers to provide precisely tailored Inventory Management Software solutions. Our products provide unbelievable conveniences to retailers.

Payment processing software solutions

This range of software is actually a secure program. The software solutions connect e-commerce sites through virtual terminals to third-party payment systems. The software facilitates acknowledgement of various online payment methods including credit cards. Users can add their cards or bank details through payment processing software solutions. The software also notifies the financial authorities that are in charge of approving or rejecting online payments.

As one of the most reliable destinations for retail custom software Digital Aptech needs no introduction. Technically sound experts in our team seamlessly integrate online payment processing software into retail software solutions of clients.

e-Commerce software development

e-Commerce is the reigning trend and there is hardly any way to deny it. Retail software platforms are something that retailers anywhere in the world cannot do without. The range of software enables storeowners perform an array of tasks including –

• Add and remove products
• Process payments
• Fulfil orders and much more

Digital Aptech possesses core technical expertise to work on a range of the latest e-commerce development frameworks. The extensive range of these frameworks that we work upon includes Shopify, BigCommerce, Magento, Angular, Volusion, Squarespace, Wix, WooCommerce, Odoo and others. We cater to the exclusive needs of both B2B and B2C clients building bespoke e-commerce software solutions for their businesses.

We deploy e-commerce software solutions either in the cloud or on premise as per individual preferences of client.

Cloud based retail software deployment – In this approach there is no installation of software solutions on client hardware. With a reliable and stable Internet connection clients can deploy the retail software applications as SAAS solutions. In cloud-based software deployment your SAAS service-provider automatically maintains everything.

On premise retail software deployment – In this approach we install the software applications on local computers or local servers of clients. This requires technical expertise of IT professionals for system maintenance, resolve issues and facilitate updates.

Retail ERP systems

ERP or Enterprise Resource Planning systems integrate modules. This is how these systems enable control over every stage of business. There is nothing to look beyond ERP while searching for a perfect software solution for managing shops is concerned. ERPs are easily customizable; those also allow seamless third-party integrations.

Certain ERP systems even allow developing specific modules that precisely cater to unique business requirements. Examples include SAP and Odoo. It is relevant mentioning in the ongoing context that we are an official Odoo partner. We also possess Silver Partnership of SAP. Our track record in ERP consulting, implementation and maintenance on both Odoo and SAP is both striking and impressive.

Building custom bespoke software for retail business in easy steps

As the first and initial step you need choosing the right vendor. Selecting the right software developing company is indeed crucial to ensure successful and timely completion of your project. While making the choice business owners should remember the decisions they take now and the system they build will impact the business in course of time.

Foolproof planning and budget

It is better to start with a foolproof and detailed planning. List the key features that you want to include in your bespoke system. It could be an omni-channel or cross-platform solution. The system should integrate with certain third-party systems. Your planning should cover all these key aspects in details. Most importantly it is important to define the functions the system will perform.

Once all these planning are done you should also consider a budget to facilitate the development. Custom software development is a bright and better option to bring your project to life. It is relevant mentioning that Digital Aptech provides retail businesses with “out of the box” retail software solutions within their budget.

Software development and implementation

In order to reap the benefits of custom software development easily you should follow a few better practices. The practices include the following –

• Assign the implementation process to an internal team of specialists. It is obvious that the specialists should possess the necessary expertise and experience.
• Make sure that your team gets sufficient training before starting the software development process.
• Explain the benefits the software under-construction will bring to your retail establishment in the coming days.
• Hiring an offshore software development company often proves helpful in these overall aspects.
• To simplify the transition to custom retail software, eliminate every inactive account and other documents that were not processed over the years.

Digital Aptech takes especial care of its clients to make their migration to custom software easier. We provide exclusive training to your staffs. We also give the necessary all-inclusive support to our retailer clients including post-deployment maintenance and upgrading.

Rigorous testing

Development and implementation of custom software solutions involve continuous control and rigorous testing. Retail software applications are no exception to that. Software developers thus rely on continuous testing to ensure a product is right up to the mark and is capable of catering to the unique client needs perfectly.

It is also obvious that certain issues will come up. It is important to stay prepared to tackle those issues. The final testing of any software is to simulate the lifecycle of the client’s business with go-live processes. This is where the overall process of development of custom software solutions requires the core technical expertise of QA (Quality Assurance) and Testing team. The QA and Testing team ensures the custom software application that you build is high-performing, responsive and free from bugs.

Maintenance and care

Once successful implementation of your custom retail software is over, the application needs proper maintenance and support. Your offshore software development company may help you in providing this support and expertise.

It is relevant mentioning that Digital Aptech provides post-launch maintenance and support of custom software solutions. We also provide enhancements to your custom software that keep your retail store up and running with your competitors trailing behind.

The way retail management software works

Retail management software solutions posses a common speciality – they integrate a number of functionalities into one system. This allows retailers efficiently manage their operations. Here are a few examples to make this aspect clearer.

• POS or Point of Sale System Integration – The range of software solutions streamlines orders related to sales, transactions and payments.
• Order Management software – Functionality of the variety of software includes automating the entire process of order management ranging from supplier orders to final delivery.
• Inventory tracking – This range of software provides real-time insights into availability of stocks. In other words the software makes efficient tracking of stocks easier for businesses.
• Customer Data Management software – The variety of software provides in-depth analysis of customer information to facilitate personalized marketing. The software is also called CRM or Customer Relationship Management.
• Reporting and Analytics software – The software helps in making better decisions by providing insights based thoroughly on data. The range of solutions contributes heavily enhancing customer experiences.
• Multiple Location Management software – With these software solutions businesses can track as well as manage inventory real-time across multiple locations.
• Stock Alerts and Replacement software – The software sends out notifications when stock levels sink. Thus businesses can easily avoid “out of stock” situations.

Few popular retail management software solutions

Now let us explore few retail management software solutions that are popular in the market. We will also cover some common features of each of these software types.

Analytics software for retail industry

Also known as retail analytics software, the range of digital applications collects data related to various crucial aspects of a business establishment. Along with collecting, it also analyses the data related to aspects like customer behaviour, market trends and performance of your business as well as that of your competitors. In the world of retail business these software products help boosting sales, optimize operations and enhance customer satisfaction and much more.

Retail analytics software solutions are capable to integrate data from more than one source, like e-commerce platforms and POS systems, etc. Based on that data the software can generate custom reports. These reports include in-depth analysis including predictive, descriptive and prescriptive along with AI and Machine Learning (ML).

Typical features of custom development for retail analytics software include seamless integration and extensive analysis of data, visuals and reporting.

ERP for retail businesses

As a comprehensive solution ERP software integrates different functions of any retail business, like CRM, supply chain management, accounting, business intelligence and human resource, etc. Both subscription and implementation costs of this range of software are quite high. ERP software is suitable for large retail organizations that require complex organization operations and needs.

Some of the typical features of the software are inventory management, supply chain management, demand forecasting, human resource, CRM, accounting and payroll, etc.

Retail execution software

The category of software solutions facilitates planning, management and monitoring in-store activities. Large organizations that have a large network of retailers, distributors and sales representatives require this software more than others.

Standard features of these software solutions include smooth effective communication, planning and optimization, data collection and reporting, maintaining compliance and much more.

Retail pricing software

The function of this range of software is to help retailers set optimal prices for any product or service. Thus businesses can avoid manual and inefficient pricing strategies. It is relevant to mention that manual pricing strategies often prove inefficient and lead to low margins, customer dissatisfaction and lost sales. Retail pricing software helps businesses determine the best possible price for each product or service.

Price is set based on a number of factors like demand, supply, customer behaviour, business objectives and others. The innovative software provides vital insights as well as reporting on your business. Moreover it also provides information on performance, pricing, trends and scopes of your close competitors.

Some vital features of the software include optimization of pricing, price management and business intelligence, etc.

Retail arbitrage software

When the latest and reigning trends in custom software development for retail industry is concerned, no discussion can complete without mentioning retail arbitrage software. But before discussing this particular software solution it is important to have a clear idea about the term arbitrage. It is the simultaneous sale and purchase of similar items in different markets. This business approach exploits short-lived variations in the price of similar assets. The profit in this business is made from tiny differences.

Retail arbitrage software is basically a digital tool that helps one find products that are profitable to resell on online platforms like Amazon or Shopify. The software enables purchasing low and selling high. The software scans barcodes to get instant information on price, ranking and reviews on a product. In the next step the software compares its prices across various online marketplaces as well as local stores to identify the hottest deals. Instead of scanning barcodes one can also enter the name of a product to access the relevant information.

Conclusion

When Custom Software Solution for retail businesses around the world is concerned, Digital Aptech is a tried and tested destination. We empower retail businesses ranging from minor start-ups to SMEs, large enterprises and Fortune 500 companies with precisely customized software applications. Our products smartly cater to unique needs of businesses.

We cater to the unique needs of both B2B and B2C clients. Our certifications include CMMI Level 3, ISO 9001 : 2015 and ISO 27001 : 2013. Providing “top of the line” service at competitive price without compromising with quality is our USP. Retailers cutting across industries and of every possible shape and size rely on our bespoke software applications to achieve higher levels of success.