By infusing the supply chain with game-changing tech retailers can ensure products are where they need to be, when they need to be there.

Leading retailers are planning major investments in both foundational and next-gen supply chain and fulfillment solutions to ensure they can meet the demands of need-it-now consumers. The lion’s share of that investment is being allocated to mobile devices designed to keep retail workers connected and informed from the road, sales floor and distribution center.

To uncover how retailers can supercharge their supply chain performance Panasonic TOUGHBOOK’s senior national sales manager James Dempsey sat down with RIS for an exclusive Q&A on the topic.

RIS: Where are you seeing the greatest technology investment? And where do you think retail tech spending is headed over the next few years?

James Dempsey: Retailers are investing in order and inventory management systems that facilitate omnichannel fulfillment. Research indicates that nearly three-quarters are planning to increase their technology spending in the next 12 months and the biggest increases are planned for inventory and order management, as well as marketing automation — driven in part by growth in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Retail warehouses and distribution centers are also investing in mobile solutions, so their employees can work faster and more accurately, for managers to track the flow of goods from any location and to directly tie the front of the store or e-commerce website with order and inventory management systems.

RIS: What are some of the top obstacles you have seen in the market? And how can retailers overcome them?

Dempsey: Every step of the supply chain, from warehouse or distribution center to store shelf or customer doorstep, is an opportunity for retailers to reduce costs that cut into profit margins. Mobile solutions improve productivity and accuracy, facilitating a more efficient flow of goods. Retailers are harnessing shoppers’ increased use of mobile devices in-store by offering self-scanning mobile apps and allowing customers’ mobile devices to act as point of sale (POS) via apps. In warehouses and fulfillment centers, retailers are equipping workers with forklift-mounted tablets, voice picking capabilities, and handheld barcode scanning that enable more efficient warehouse and shelf stocking. On the road, drivers use mobile devices to determine optimal routes, provide proof of delivery, and keep customers up to date on delivery times.