Shock to the System

By George L. Koroneos
NRF’s Big Show is one of my favorite conventions, because I get the opportunity to see a large quantity of technologies coming down the digital pike. Sure, plenty of the fancy displays and gadgets will probably never see the light of day, and much of the technology is in perpetual pilot phase, but NRF does give a nice thousand foot view of where the retail industry is heading over the next few years.

Last year, digital displays caused the most buzz on the show floor, but in 2012 it was all about the tablet. Nearly half the companies at NRF either had their own tablet (both concept and currently available) on display, or were touting peripherals and software apps to help retailers become more mobile. I got the chance to play with tiny printers that can be holstered onto a belt, apps that allow retailers to control an entire store from the palm of their hands, and tablets running everything from Android to Windows 7.

But, what really hit me was the realization that all these different contraptions were useless without solution providers to put them together into working products for retailers. If NRF is an indicator, a bevy of mobility tools are going to flood the market in the next few months, and if the retail market buys into the hype, there’s going to be a ton of opportunities for VARs and ISVs to sell new solutions to old customers, reach out to SMBs looking to boost the consumer experience with the latest tools, and—most importantly—establish their name as leaders in what looks to be a mobile revolution. 
   
To get in on the ground floor, check out this month’s cover story (page 10) about how solution providers can take advantage of the latest mobile devices and advice on how to sell your clients on mobility. Also, feel free to reach out to me with your thoughts on mobility and tablets at gkoroneos@edgellmail.com. I’d love to know if you think this really is the future of retail, or just an overhyped trend.