3 Benefits of 4G and 5G Solutions for Small Retailers
The ongoing pandemic has upended nearly every industry, but the retail sector has faced almost unprecedented disruption. To provide a safe, secure environment for their customers, many stores have adopted contactless POS systems, curbside delivery, and other new technologies that require a stable internet connection. 4G and 5G solutions are the ideal network technology for retail stores, giving them the power to overcome challenges and improve efficiency even in challenging times.
Here's a closer look at why you should use this feature for your business.
What Are the Advantages of 4G and 5G for Retailers?
1. Speed & Reliability
Even a brief internet outage can make it impossible to process sales or online orders, translating into thousands of dollars in losses. 4G & 5G connections use wireless networks from cell service providers, which have the most reliable uptime in the industry. These networks ensure that POS systems stay online even when the area’s DSL or cable network is down.
They also provide enough bandwidth to power the advanced technology many standard retail services depend on. From the customer’s perspective, shopping online and picking up in-store may seem fairly straightforward. However, their order has to be transmitted to an employee’s device to pack and fill the order.
4G and 5G solutions even have enough capacity to serve sophisticated innovations like augmented reality, allowing retailers to create a unique, advanced shopping experience. For instance, retailers might allow shoppers to try on clothes with VR headsets or provide virtual shopping assistants to guide them around the store.
2. Flexibility
Pop-up shops are an increasingly popular option for retailers looking to reach customers without the expense of maintaining a full-time store. This can be difficult or even impossible to do with DSL or cable. However, 4G & 5G networks allow sellers to easily set up a temporary, fast, reliable wireless network for processing sales and tracking inventory.
3. Integrated Security
Small retailers are popular targets for cybercriminals, who know these businesses often don’t have the resources to properly secure their networks. Unfortunately, a single data breach can expose customer financial information and allow unscrupulous actors to steal trade secrets, potentially resulting in significant monetary losses.
Fully managed 4G and 5G solutions come with integrated security managed by experienced professionals using some of the most sophisticated tools available. Along with constantly updating antivirus and malware applications, they also monitor network activity to detect hacking attempts before they succeed.