The ranks of -capable and tablets grows on a daily basis and users increasingly expect reliable Internet access everywhere they go, including retail operations. For the latter, planning/deploying Wi-Fi access is critical in the following ways:

* Improved customer convenience and interaction. Customers will favor operations that provide Internet access and, when they are connected to in-store Wi-Fi, that represents an opportunity to launch compelling customer interaction services for customer convenience and new sales initiatives.

ANALYSIS:

* Improved operational productivity/efficiency. Inventory management can be made smoother and more efficient with in-store Wi-Fi. Voice mobility, for effective in-store communication, can also be turned on. Mobile, Wi-Fi-enabled can be given to sales associates to conduct sales transactions on the sales floor. All such steps contribute to increased productivity and staff efficiently.

There is no shortage of Wi-Fi access solutions out there, but retail deployments represent unique challenges.