Cisco Cisco Aironet 1240 AG Access Point Libro blanco

White Paper

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customer experience and store performance and to transform how retail enterprises conduct

operations.

Benefits of Cisco Unified Wireless Network Mobility Services for Retail Enterprises

Retail enterprises are deploying the Cisco Unified Wireless Networks pervasively throughout the

organization as a critical component of intelligent retail network architecture. Cisco Wireless LAN

Mobility Services are a combination of guess access, enhanced security, location, and voice

capabilities, uniquely delivered by the Cisco Unified Wireless Network, that allow retail businesses

to deploy value-added mobility applications. Cisco Wireless LAN Mobility Services build on the

existing mobile data capabilities inherent in any pervasive wireless deployment.

In order to improve operations and customer satisfaction, retail enterprises need to be able to

move beyond simple hotspot or point wireless deployments, and move to a pervasive deployment.

Once pervasive, the wireless network becomes a platform for the delivery of intelligent services.

These mobility services serve as the middleware between business applications and the

infrastructure, allowing existing and new applications to take advantage of the flexible connectivity

inherent in wireless networking.

With an infrastructure designed to support wireless LAN mobility services, retail enterprises can:

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Enhance the shopping experience

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Boost productivity by connecting people, places, and information wherever they are located

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Protect brand images and assets securely and reliably

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Decrease the time it takes to react to market shifts

The rest of this paper will discuss potential applications for each mobility service and the

associated benefits. This paper will also briefly describe the implementation of the Cisco

Unified Wireless Network.

Guest Services

Retailers rely on the network to provide dependable access to real-time information on inventory,

customers, and operations, with the goal of ensuring that customers are satisfied with their

purchases and level of service. In this way, the retailer can create brand loyalty and build

long-term customer relationships. The top priorities for achieving this are inventory on hand

when the customer wants it, information available to customers to answer immediate questions,

and providing complimentary services that deliver a richer shopping experience to the customer.

With pervasive wireless access in stores and corporate offices, IT departments can provide

guest access services for partners, vendors, and customers. Guest access that is secure and

isolated from the corporate information enables suppliers to gain real-time visibility into stock

levels and to reorder to avoid losing sales because of lack of inventory. Additionally, partners can

“push” promotions to in-store advertising venues, keeping customers apprised of the latest offers.

Extending quick access to information on products not only to managers and employees but also

to customers through Wi-Fi access or in-store kiosks increases the value of the information that

retailers have about products. Ultimately, access to product information helps customers feel

comfortable with their purchases. In addition, certain retailers can increase the length of customer

visits as well as brand loyalty simply by providing wireless Internet access to customers.

Of course, a primary concern for any IT administrator is how to offer guest access in a secure,

controlled way, ensuring that the corporate network and information on it remain isolated.