SOTI Snap upgrade to streamline retail operations for peak season

With 55% of Australian consumers expected to commence their holiday gift shopping by October, the retail sector is bracing for another challenging peak season.

To assist businesses in managing the heightened demands during this period, the latest update to SOTI Snap introduces AI-driven digitisation of paper-based processes, aimed at enhancing efficiency and accuracy across retail stores and supply chains.

"As we head into one of the busiest times of the year, the pressure on retail operations is immense," explained Michael Dyson, VP of Sales, APAC at SOTI. "SOTI Snap’s AI-powered digitisation process is designed to help businesses handle the surge in demand by streamlining manual processes and reducing errors, ensuring operations remain efficient under pressure."

One significant challenge during peak shopping seasons is maintaining accuracy while handling a higher volume of transactions. Manual data entry is susceptible to errors that can result in delays and customer dissatisfaction. By digitising these processes, SOTI Snap ensures that data is accurately captured and easily accessible, minimising the risk of bottlenecks. This enhancement is crucial for retail stores and supply chains, where even minor errors can have a ripple effect across the entire operation.

"During peak season, retailers not only have to manage higher transaction volumes but also rapidly onboard new staff to handle the holiday rush," Dyson elaborated. "With an influx of casual and temporary workers, it’s crucial to get them up to speed quickly. The latest update to SOTI Snap allows businesses to digitise and deploy onboarding documents and training materials instantly, minimising disruptions and ensuring productivity remains high during this period."

An essential aspect of peak season is the necessity for real-time data access to make swift, informed decisions. This capability is vital for adjusting inventory levels, rerouting deliveries, or managing customer expectations. SOTI Snap’s digitisation of forms and data ensures that information is available instantly, enabling managers and operators to respond effectively to the dynamic demands of peak season. This real-time access to information enhances decision-making and operational agility, allowing businesses to adapt to changing conditions proficiently.

Flexibility is also a crucial requirement during the peak season, as unexpected changes and challenges are common. Retailers need the ability to quickly adapt to evolving circumstances with sudden spikes in demand. Dyson commented, "In a high-stakes environment where every moment counts, having the flexibility to seamlessly create or modify digital forms on the fly is crucial. SOTI Snap ensures that businesses can remain responsive and efficient, meeting customer needs without unnecessary delays."

For businesses with global operations, the peak season often involves coordinating efforts across multiple regions and languages. The latest update to SOTI Snap includes multi-language form generation in over 100 languages, facilitating easier management of international operations. “This feature ensures that all staff, regardless of location or language, can effectively contribute to the business’s success,” Dyson added. “It’s about making sure that international coordination is as smooth as possible during the most critical time of the year."

Dyson emphasised the simplicity and accessibility of SOTI Snap’s digitisation process, stating, "With SOTI Snap, digitisation doesn’t require months of planning and thousands of dollars. If you can sketch a form on a piece of paper, upload an image or type words into the app, you can seamlessly digitise your processes."