Mobile Retail POS Integration for Multichannel Sales

Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile POS systems are limited in providing enhanced sales associate services as they lack multi-channel processing and support systems, restricting sales associates' ability to offer advanced sales activities beyond traditional point-of-sale functions.

Innovation Solution

An integrated system that enables mobile and desktop connectivity for sales associates, providing access to social networking, reward, financial, marketing, and POS services through a single mobile device, leveraging mobile technology, chat functionality, and social media to enhance the shopping experience while maintaining mobility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional POS systems are used, then basic point-of-sale functions are provided, but sales associates lack access to multichannel processing and support systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to multichannel processing and support systemsVSAvoidsystem integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple previously separate systems (POS, social networking, rewards, financial services, marketing tools) into a single integrated mobile device platform. This merging allows sales associates to access all these functions through one device rather than requiring separate systems, thereby improving versatility while managing complexity through unified architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device is designed to perform multiple functions across different channels - serving as a POS terminal, social media interface, rewards system access point, financial transaction device, and marketing tool simultaneously. This multi-functionality directly addresses the need for multichannel processing while consolidating what would otherwise require multiple specialized devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If mobile POS systems are implemented, then mobility is improved, but multi-channel processing capabilities are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemobilityVSAvoidmulti-channel processing capabilities

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device is designed to perform multiple functions across different channels - serving as a POS terminal, social media interface, rewards system access point, financial transaction device, and marketing tool simultaneously. This multi-functionality directly addresses the need for multichannel processing while consolidating what would otherwise require multiple specialized devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system adds a new dimension of connectivity by integrating social networking and digital communication channels alongside traditional retail functions. This transforms the mobile device from a simple transactional tool into a multifaceted customer engagement platform that operates across physical and digital dimensions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If multiple separate systems are used for sales support, then specific functions are available, but task management efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction availabilityVSAvoidtask management efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple previously separate systems (POS, social networking, rewards, financial services, marketing tools) into a single integrated mobile device platform. This merging allows sales associates to access all these functions through one device rather than switching between multiple systems, thereby improving task management efficiency while maintaining comprehensive function availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device is designed to perform multiple functions across different channels - serving as a POS terminal, social media interface, rewards system access point, financial transaction device, and marketing tool simultaneously. This multi-functionality directly addresses the need for multichannel processing while consolidating what would otherwise require multiple specialized devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10163064B2Methods and systems for connected sales associate services

Publication Date: 2018.12.25 TRANSFORM SR BRANDS LLC

AI summary

A method and system for providing a connected sales associate service application via a mobile device. The application provide for an integrated platform upon which various tools for providing support to a sales associate are built. The application includes a database of information regarding the sales associates and operational information regarding a retail establishment, and provides a user interface for allowing the sales associate to access a central server for the retail establishment along with multiple additional sales associates on multiple additional mobile devices. The user interface displays information regarding trending sales data for the retail establishment and information regarding the sales associates accessing the central server. A sales associate can select and display information regarding one of the sales associates accessing the central server to at least one of view, create, delete, or assign a task to the selected sales associate.