The following was written by Joe Contreras, Toshiba American Business Solutions
When the phrase digital signage is uttered, many people envision video walls and interactive wayfinding systems that set the mood and experience in their favorite Las Vegas hotel. For the sports fans among us, digital signage may evoke video ribbons decorating their favorite team’s venue with player statistics, team standings and – of course – flashy advertisements. Digital signage – however – is now going mobile.
Perhaps the hottest digital signage mobile app available is being implemented in the retail sector. With the advent of smartphone technology, many of today’s shoppers are becoming much savvier than those of yesteryear.
After searching for and identifying appealing winter apparel at their local mall to purchase for the season, today’s consumer may easily run a price comparison for the identical garments at another store in the vicinity.
For retailers looking to keep shoppers (and their credit cards) in their stores, businesses are now able to create QR – or quick response – codes on the tags of their merchandise.
By scanning the codes with their smartphones, consumers receive such pertinent info as the garment’s fabric (cashmere versus merino wool, for instance) or promotion such as a buy one, get the other for half price, may make all of the difference to the shopper’s eye and pocketbook.
To best compel those seeking that coveted sweater or puffer vest, they may receive a timed coupon that will expire in a matter of minutes rather than days to further persuade the consumer to make an on the spot purchase.
To best showcase a retailer’s products, the QR code could mention a series of accompanying products to accessorize or complement the consumer’s purchase. Clothing retailers may include info on such complementary items as scarves, gloves or hats within that same QR code.
For companies seeking to create dynamic QR content and mobile digital signage apps to more effectively sell merchandise, Toshiba is a vendor capable of developing and managing such solutions to help move the needle for any retailer.
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Joe Contreras
Director, Product and Solutions Marketing, Toshiba America Business Solutions
Joseph Contreras currently serves as director, Product and Solutions Marketing. In this role, Contreras is responsible for leading the Product Marketing department to define product and software solution strategies, develop strategic marketing programs, and launch multifunction products throughout the U.S. market.
Contreras’ previous positions with TABS include senior product manager and product manager. He joined TABS in September of 2000, just after the company’s spin-off from Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. (TAIS). During his tenure with the company, he has led TABS’ MFP security and e-BRIDGE controller planning initiatives; overseen yearly strategic forecasting and budgeting; and coordinated marketing plans designed to penetrate and grow targeted markets for the business color multifunction product (MFP) and printer segments.
Prior to Toshiba, Contreras was a product manager for SMC Networks, Inc. based in Irvine, Calif. While at SMC Networks, he was responsible for all aspects of product marketing for the company’s networking hardware solutions, wireless networking and broadband products. Contreras holds a Six Sigma Green Belt certification as well as a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University.
