Digital transformation reveals a fundamental pillar in retail, and increasingly ubiquitous applications play an essential role in the buying and selling process. The strategic decision to invest in well-designed tools can generate significant benefits such as journey optimization, increased productivity, and even sales growth. However, off-the-shelf solutions do not always meet the specific needs of a business, considering variables such as size, demand, and sector.
A strategy that has been gaining increasing traction in the market is low-code, according to a recent study by Gartner, it is estimated that by the end of this year, 70% of new applications will be developed using low-code methodologies. The trend allows for quick creation without the need for advanced programming skills. Companies gain the ability to build customized solutions for their operations, without the complexity of traditional development, with reduced costs and accelerated results.
“Digitalization doesn’t have to be expensive and slow; it can be agile, accessible, and, most importantly: efficient. What used to take 6 months or even 1 year for the development and usability of a new tool can now be done in just a few days—creating scalable, secure, and fully integrated applications in an uncomplicated way. It’s a guaranteed gain for operations in terms of speed, democratization, and revenue growth,” explains Lucas Felisberto, VP LatAm Sales & CS at Jitterbit.
But, after all, how can low-code technology truly transform a company’s operational activity? Jitterbit, a global leader in the market with low-code solutions, has listed 10 applications that can be developed with this approach and have the potential to optimize retail operations and increase process efficiency.
1. Storefront approval
Retailers can submit photos of storefronts for approval, and the responsible team reviews them, approving or rejecting the images with comments. This ensures faster communication and maintains a uniform visual standard among establishments in the same segment.
2. Product movement control
Record and approve inventory movements for companies that need control over product flow. A movement history is also generated, using digital signatures to ensure security and traceability of the process.
3. Sales commission calculator
Automates the calculation of sales commissions, considering completed sales and possible discount coupons, along with the option to analyze reports with greater accuracy and speed.
4. Course offers in sales channels
Can be used by companies to manage and market their training or course offers, with the ability to register classes, control certification, and activate or block them in different sales channels.
5. Supplier approval
Registration and analysis of suppliers, integrating information directly into ERP and e-commerce platforms, with records of each step for better control.
6. Carrier dispatch
Optimizes the process of requesting order pickups, making it easy to send simple requests, track the logistics process in real time, and speed up processes.
7. Price management
Efficient control over pricing and discount policies in online and marketplaces, facilitating price updates and approval of discounts that exceed defined limits, all integrated with the company’s e-commerce platform.
8. On-Site Audit
Conducting audits in physical stores, accessing integrated data to verify discrepancies in real time, improving audit accuracy and reducing errors.
9. 360° Customer Service
Centralizing all customer information in a single interface enables personalized service, extracting data from systems such as e-commerce, CRM and customer service. The application allows for the creation of promotions, enhancing the consumer experience.
10. Supplier portal
Optimizes the management of orders placed with suppliers, enabling tracking of all stages, from negotiation to delivery, with action buttons like “Order accepted,” “Order produced,” and “Order dispatched.”
Solutions like these represent the various purposes and possibilities that low-code technology offers for operational optimization in retail, both physically and digitally. Integrated tools provide more agility, customization, and autonomy, helping companies adapt to market needs quickly, with productive efficiency and without the need for major programming investments.
The adoption of technological platforms, which combine innovative and uncomplicated solutions, can be part of a strategic plan for businesses of different sizes and segments, facilitating positive market competitiveness in relation to the constantly evolving digital landscape.
