Retailer Marks & Spencer is to pilot a Microsoft
smart phone system to deliver wireless e-mail and store performance
data to its executives.
The pilot scheme will see the company’s senior staff using
Microsoft Windows Mobile-based Smartphones, running Microsoft
Outlook.
The Smartphone will also include a prototype version of business
technology firm Conchango’s Retail KPI Dashboard application, which
can deliver information on store performance to the handheld
devices so executives can make informed decisions on the move.
The full version of the application can deliver real-time data
covering sales, stock and orders for individual stores on demand.
Users will also be able to get access to corporate information
whether their device is on or offline.
Steven Sharp, director of marketing and e-commerce at Marks
& Spencer, said: “Retail is a very competitive market, so it’s
important that we have fast, reliable access to information to help
us make important decisions for the business in order for us to
provide the best service possible to our customers.
“We are pleased to be investigating this innovative new mobile
technology and look forward to the flexibility and accuracy it will
provide.”