From the moment Black Friday kicks off until the January sales conclude, the retail sector experiences its peak season. Stores multiply their staff and, consequently, their technological infrastructure: tablets for POS, inventory terminals, and robust ruggedized devices for the warehouse and sales floor. This accelerated scalability, which covers Christmas and Three Kings’ Day, demands an immediate operational response.
The real challenge is not just turning on these hundreds of devices, but managing them, securing them, and, crucially, “dismantling” them in February securely and efficiently. This is where Applivery steps in, positioning itself as the Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) platform that allows B2B retailers to tackle this complete cycle with absolute control and maximum agility. Its ability to automate the device lifecycle transforms IT’s most complex annual task into a simple remote command.
Why seasonal scaling breaks IT budgets
But there is a detail that is rarely mentioned: this infrastructure is not permanent. In the last months of the year, many retailers multiply their devices, and in January, everything is “taken down.” They are wiped, stored, or simply stacked in a closet until the next season.
The true challenge lies in doing all of this without overwhelming IT, without losing control, and while maintaining data security. The traditional manual management model is inefficient and risky.
Unified Management for a seasonal fleet
This is where real transformation makes the difference. With modern lifecycle management (MDM/UEM), the entire process is completely transformed:
Before the season: deployment in minutes
Devices (including smartphones, tablets, and ruggedized devices) arrive at the store already prepared thanks to automatic enrollment (Zero-Touch or Apple DEP). This eliminates manual intervention, removing the need to send them to IT or perform local configurations.
In critical campaigns, time is money. According to recent IDC studies, Zero-Touch deployment can reduce device setup time by up to 50% and cut IT support costs by up to 70%. This is the massive time saving your IT team needs.
During the season: focus on operational continuity
The focus is on operational and sales continuity, not on repair. Teams work with:
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Kiosk Mode: to prevent distractions and lock applications to the specific use the store requires.
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Remote Updates: without depending on field staff.
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Active Security: with granular policies for user groups.
This eliminates downtime and ensures operations do not stop, which is what the business needs.
After theseason: quick and secure goodbye
When the campaign ends, the IT team only needs to launch a remote command, ensuring compliance with security regulations like GDPR or HIPAA:
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Secure wipe: total elimination of sensitive data.
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User unlinking and locking: to prevent loss or theft.
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Preparation for storage: keeping devices protected and ready for the next year.
A fleet of hundreds of devices can be taken down in minutes, not days.
Productivity today, security always
A well-managed device is not just “a working device”; it is an operational piece that synchronizes with the pace of the business during critical moments. That is the difference between operating and operating well.
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Less operational burden for IT: no repetitive tasks, no manual configurations, no unnecessary tickets.
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More in-store availability: teams always have operational devices during peak sales periods.
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Continuous security: even when stored in a warehouse, devices remain protected and prepared, minimizing the risk of data breaches. This is a priority, given that the average cost of a data breach globally reached $4.88 million in 2024, according to the latest “Cost of a Data Breach” report by IBM Security.
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Predictable and controlled costs: the same device fleet is leveraged year after year, maximizing ROI and reducing the need for accidental replacements.
That is the Applivery difference.
Secure your peak season ROI
In the era of seasonal retail, the agility of your infrastructure cannot depend on manual processes.
Do you want to transform and empower your seasonal device management?
If you want to see how the Applivery UEM model fits your operation and how you can automate your lifecycle easily, we can help. Schedule a demo or try it for free and optimize your next campaign without headaches.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is storing seasonal devices without a secure wipe a security risk?
The primary risk is non-compliance with regulations like GDPR and the potential cost of a data breach, which the industry standard cites as a major expense. Applivery allows IT to issue a remote Secure Wipe command to fully unbind the user and eliminate sensitive data before storage.
How does Applivery reduce IT costs during the mass deployment spike?
Applivery leverages automatic enrollment (Zero-Touch and Apple DEP), which eliminates manual configuration and reduces deployment time from hours to minutes. Studies show this can cut IT support costs by up to 70%.
Which Applivery features are critical for maintaining operational continuity during peak sales?
Kiosk Mode and Granular Usage Policies are critical. Kiosk Mode restricts devices (including ruggedized ones) to only essential business applications, preventing distractions or misuse that cause downtime.
Is Applivery compatible with my ruggedized devices and seasonal POS terminals?
Yes. Applivery is a UEM platform that provides unified management and total control over diverse fleets, including ruggedized devices, POS terminals, tablets, and smartphones, regardless of the operating system (Android, Apple, Windows).
How long does it take to "dismantle" and secure a fleet of hundreds of devices after the January Sales?
With Applivery, the IT team can issue a single remote command for secure wipe and locking for the entire fleet in minutes. This ensures devices are stored securely and prepared for the next season without physical intervention.
