Article Contributed by Michael Koploy
Almost two years after the iPad’s announcement, Apple’s tablet device is taking the market by storm. In fact, in Q2 2011, research firm IDC reported that Apple’s device had 68 percent market share.
While the iPad is certainly popular among consumers, retailers are taking a large interest in the tablet PC industry as well. As could be expected, the iPad is one of the most popular hardware selections retailers are choosing – especially with entrepreneurs trying to gain a “tech-savvy” edge.
When it comes to using an iPad or any other tablet device in the store, retailers have numerous questions to consider when deciding which types of applications to invest in:
- How many iPads would I need?
- How much am I willing to invest in for both software and hardware?
- What core features do I need in the iPad applications?
Many retail software developers and vendors are responding to growing market demand. There are now a wide range of applications in the market, which vary in terms of price, purpose and functionality. Software Advice has recently published a guide on mobile retail applications compatible with Apple’s iPad device in iPad POS Software | A Guide to Mobile Point of Sale Applications. In the guide, ERP Analyst Michael Koploy provides three over-arching categories for iPad POS solutions: native applications, web-based applications and payment processing applications. Here’s a summary of each category with a few of the top vendors to consider:
Native iOS Applications. Both small and large developers are bringing to market retail apps for the iOS platform. These typically include much of the same functionality that can be found within solutions from the world’s largest retail software vendors. In addition to sales processing, these apps include inventory management, warehouse management, merchandising and reporting. Example vendors in this space include: Celerant, Epicor and Radiant Systems.
In addition, new software developers are creating some great solutions designed specifically for the iPad. POSLavu, for example, has created a PCI-compliant iOS app that runs on iPod Touches, iPhones and iPads. The app integrates with cash drawers and ticket printers to create a food-service application on par with traditional touchscreen solutions of the past. Other examples include: Revel Systems, SalesVu, ShopKeep and ISISPOS.
Web-based POS Applications. These applications may have been designed to run on the iPad, but they are perfectly accessible via Apple’s Safari web browser as well. Without a physical keyboard and mouse, these solutions can be a little more difficult to use than their native iOS cousins. But they can get the job done. These web-based apps are a great option for retailers unsure about investing in an iPad-specific solution and want a fully-featured application, or retailers looking to use a single iPad in their store. A few vendors to explore include: ECR, Netsuite and MerchantOS.
Payment Processing iOS Applications. Some retailers don’t need a lot of features, they just need the ability to process credit card transactions away from their credit card machine. Apps such as Square, GoPayment and Swipe are enabling the retailer to go mobile in 2011.With payment processing apps now offering competitive (i.e., cheap) processing rates, these solutions are more attractive and accessible than ever.
Michael Koploy is an ERP Analyst at Software Advice. He covers supply chain solutions and retail POS system software.