Survey: Retailers deploying workforce inspection apps

Reston, Va. - Among retailers and distribution firms that have deployed mobile apps to their workforces, 46% are using mobile apps for inspections, followed by 35% for checklists and 31% for surveys. According to a new survey of more than 1,100 business and IT decision makers conducted by mobile business app provider Canvas, 63% of all businesses surveyed see value in integrating core business applications, such as Dropbox, Square, Salesforce, Evernote and Quickbooks, with mobile devices and tools.



When it comes to specific tasks retailers are using mobile apps for, respondents also cited work orders (27%), inventories (14%) and invoices (12%). Other key findings include:



File storage: More than half (55%) of retailers and distribution firms are using file storage applications, and of those businesses using file storage applications Dropbox (51%) is the dominant choice, followed by Google Drive (20%) and Box (7%).



Note taking software: 34% of retailers and distribution firms surveyed use note taking software or applications for their business. Of businesses using this type of software/application, Evernote is most heavily used at 55 percent.



Credit card processing: Only 11% are using mobile credit card processing applications in their retail businesses.



CRM: 37% use a CRM system in their retail business, and of respondents using CRM tools, Salesforce (55%) commands the most users.



Accounting: 40% of retail businesses surveyed use an accounting application, with Quickbooks (39%) the most heavily used.



“That retailers and distribution firms are going mobile is not a surprise; what this survey demonstrates is that organizations of all shapes and sizes are looking to a broadening array of mobile services to improve their business processes,” said James Quigley, co-founder and CEO, Canvas. “The results affirm that retailers are shifting core business processes to mobile; drawn to the ability of mobile apps to solve challenges associated with inefficient paper-based processes.”