What is being proposed in this paper is utilizing this technology in the fullest extent for inventory control on a store by store level, manager by manager. The data collected by these scanners are not utilized to the fullest potential. National, corporate, regional and district managers utilize the data collected. Marketing departments internal and external to the organization utilize this information. When retail stores integrate their various technologies, they can save time and money, react to market pressures faster, implement changes rapidly and improve their customer service.
Integration improves profitability in several ways.
Integrated environments allow stores to control their centralized price book at headquarters and download price changes to each location immediately. This can be advantageous when they notice that one of their competitors in a particular area is cutting prices. They can react rapidly and remain competitive. Successful customer loyalty relies heavily on integration because it provides faster service. The integration boom is estimated to last 5 -7 years.