The retail sector lives in a constant state of challenge. Competition is fierce, margins are tightening, and the customer expects a unique and total experience: what they see on the website must match the store, they want to buy online and pick up as quickly as possible, or return an online order in-store. This is the promise of omnichannel.
However, the reality in the back room is often very different. According to IHL Group, retailers worldwide lose an astonishing figure of $1.75 trillion annually due to ‘inventory distortion’. This mismatch between the digital promise and physical execution is the biggest challenge in modern retail.
This distortion is composed of two major problems that directly affect profitability:
Out-of-stocks: the cause of nearly $1 trillion in lost sales.
Overstocks: inventory that does not sell and must be liquidated.
To overcome this challenge, in-store execution must be flawless, and this requires that the devices used by employees are completely reliable. Platforms like Applivery are vital, as they offer the necessary device management for the technology in the back room to align with omnichannel ambitions, ensuring inventory reliability and making the Endless Aisle concept possible.
How unreliable devices lead to lost sales and distorted stock
The mismatch between the digital promise and physical execution is the biggest challenge in modern retail. When an employee attempts to fulfill the omnichannel promise, they encounter an obstacle: the in-store technology is unreliable or simply doesn’t work.
The problem is not the central inventory system (ERP), but the tool the employees have in their hands, which creates friction due to the lack of device control in the store.
The high cost of lack of control
Poor technological management directly impacts the bottom line, turning employee frustration into financial loss:
Loss of productivity and frustration: according to a Zebra study, 75% of store employees believe that shoppers can check inventory information more easily on their own mobiles than they can with the store’s tools. Furthermore, 55% feel frustrated with the technology provided to them.
Cost of inaccurate data: the root of inventory distortion is poor data. Gartner estimates that poor data quality, such as inaccurate inventory data, costs organizations an average of $12.9 million dollars annually.
The iImmediate consequences of unmanaged devices
When corporate devices are not managed, the consequences are immediate and critical:
Inefficiency and inventory errors: inventory applications are not updated, causing synchronization errors with the central system (ERP) and the web, which is the primary cause of inventory distortion.
Security risk: an employee losing a scanner with access to sensitive data poses a significant risk.
Poor experience and lost sales: the mobile POS freezes mid-sale, or an employee cannot process an omnichannel return because their app is not working.
Distraction and low productivity: devices are used for non-work purposes, reducing productivity.
The result is unreliable inventory, lost sales, and worst of all, frustrated employees and disappointed customers. The problem is not having devices; the problem is not managing them.
Applivery: the Unified MDM/UEM platform for retail inventory reliability
The solution to technological friction in the store requires a robust Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) / Mobile Device Management (MDM) platform.
Applivery is the centralized platform that gives you total control over every single device your employees use , ensuring that the technology in your team’s hands functions perfectly, securely, and aligned with your business objectives. It is the central system that connects your omnichannel strategy with the real, reliable execution in-store.
The control stack: 4 Applivery features for flawless in-store execution
Applivery transforms those uncontrolled devices into precision tools through essential features:
Kiosk Mode: maximum focus and security
This feature locks down devices so they can only run the applications you allow.
The employee will only have access to the inventory app or the POS and catalog, eliminating distractions and ensuring the device always fulfills its primary function.
One-click application distribution
Need to deploy a critical new version of your “Click & Collect” app across 100 stores before Black Friday? With Applivery, you do it instantly and remotely with a single click.
This ensures all employees use the same updated version, eliminating synchronization and inventory errors.
Security and compliance with granular control
The platform allows you to set security policies (permitted Wi-Fi networks, strong password requirements).
Crucially, in case of loss or theft, you can remotely locate, lock, or wipe the device , protecting sensitive data and helping you comply with key regulations like GDPR.
Zero-Touch Enrollment: no IT intervention needed
When a new scanner or POS arrives, the employee only has to turn it on.
Applivery automatically configures it with all the necessary apps, settings, and security policies, without the IT team needing to intervene or spend time on manual setup.
3 pillars of value: turning device control into retail profitability
With Applivery, you don’t just achieve control; you create value and solve the main problems of retail.
1. 100% reliable inventory: the Endless Aisle becomes reality
By ensuring that every product scan and stock adjustment is recorded instantly and correctly , your physical and online channels can finally trust your store’s stock.
This reliability is the foundation of the Endless Aisle (Pasillo Infinito) , allowing your employees to confidently sell any item (even if it’s not on the shelf) by consulting central stock.
McKinsey & Company indicates that retailers successfully implementing supply chain optimization (driven by real-time data) report reductions in operating costs of up to 15% and revenue increases of 10%.
2. Frictionless omnichannel
The employee is empowered with a reliable tool.
They can process an omnichannel return, check another store’s stock, or prepare an order for pickup with the certainty that the app will not fail and the data is correct.
Technology ceases to be an obstacle and becomes a key sales enabler.
3. Exceptional employee and customer experience
For the employee: the frustration of battling slow technology or closing apps ends (addressing that 55% of frustrated employees) . You give them a tool that works. A happy and efficient employee is more productive.
For the customer: when the employee can quickly resolve their request (whether it’s a stock inquiry, a mobile payment, or an online pickup), the customer’s perception is one of efficiency and modernity. A seamless employee experience directly translates into an exceptional customer experience
Ready to build your profitable endless aisle strategy?
Leaving your in-store devices unmanaged is like leaving the cash register open. You are risking your inventory, your omnichannel sales, and your customers’ trust.Don’t just manage your stock; manage the tools that manage your stock.
Applivery gives you total control over your devices so you can offer an impeccable in-store experience, empower your employees, and make your omnichannel strategy a profitable reality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is "inventory distortion" and how does it affect my retail business?
Inventory distortion is the mismatch between the recorded inventory in the system and the actual inventory available in the store. It affects the business in two main ways: losses from Out-of-Stocks and losses from Overstocks.
What is the main technological pain point that frustrates omnichannel execution?
The pain point is the technological friction in the hands of the store employee. When devices (scanners, mobile POS, tablets) are unmanaged, they cause inefficiency, synchronization errors with the ERP, and frustration, resulting in lost sales and unreliable inventory.
How does Applivery solve employee inefficiency with technology?
Applivery solves this by transforming devices with total control. Features like Kiosk Mode block the device so it only runs work-related apps, eliminating distractions and ensuring focus. This reduces the frustration felt by employees by providing them with reliable tools.
How does Applivery help make the "Endless Aisle" concept possible?
The Endless Aisle requires total confidence in the central inventory. Applivery ensures this reliability by guaranteeing that in-store devices function correctly, are updated, and instantly record every scan or stock adjustment. This allows the employee to consult and sell with certainty that the data is correct.
How does an MDM solution like Applivery impact the Retail ROI (Return on Investment)?
The impact on ROI is direct:
Increased revenue: by ensuring reliable inventory, it prevents sales loss from out-of-stocks and enables cross-selling (Endless Aisle).
Cost reduction: automating app deployment and device configuration (Zero-Touch enrollment) reduces IT operational costs.
Improved productivity: it eliminates employee frustration and downtime due to technological failures.
