Thorntons handhelds sweeten stocktaking

High-street retailer updates in-store mobile technology

Confectionery retailer Thorntons is to refresh part of its store technology to offer mobile point-of-sale services using new handheld devices and software.

The company last week announced the purchase of new systems to replace ageing in-store handheld computers. The devices will extend the technology beyond existing stock-checking functions into areas that will directly improve customer service.

Terry Baines, Thorntons IT services manager, says software from vendor iAnywhere will manage new mobile handheld devices for 380 retail outlets, improve stocktaking and delivery-checking processes, and reduce transaction processing times.

‘We started using handhelds for stock-taking 10 years ago, but the devices and systems were getting old,’ he said.

‘The new devices are more flexible because they run a Pocket PC operating system. They can scan and, when we upgrade the store network to ADSL broadband, we will also use them for mobile sales and updating the systems wirelessly.’

The current system requires shop staff to first count stock and then key in amounts before returning the device to a docking station to synchronise the information with store systems.

‘The new system will make stocktaking quicker,’ said Baines. ‘Anything that helps store staff be more productive, improves the accuracy of stock inventory and sells more chocolates can only be good,’ he said.