IPad And Foursquare, Redux

A wholesaler and retailer discuss their increasing use of new mobile technology solutions.

Following earlier FutureTech columns that discussed new technologies — and the related valuable opportunities for grocers and wholesalers offered by location-based services like Foursquare, and the ease and functionality of Apple's iPad — I'd like to share some insightful feedback that we received via our LinkedIn group — now more than 1,400 members strong — and on our other social networks.

Foremost, we learned a bit more about viewpoints on mobile media, and specifically how some in the industry are actually applying the aforementioned tools to their businesses. Among them are two in particular I'd like to share with you, including the reaction of Mike Brown, general manager of retail technology for Los Angeles-based Unified Grocers, who's a huge fan and user of the Apple iPad:

"I use an iPad WiFi-only unit with a Verizon MiFi device that allows for five devices to access a 3G network via WiFi (60/ month for the service)."

Among the business-related apps Brown recommends:

Pages, Keynote and Numbers: This gives you MS Office type functionally with an Apple-designed interface specially developed for the iPad. You can save in MS Office formats

DocsToGo: A good viewing/editing tool for MS Office documents e-mailed to you. Brown says it's "a must if you want to really edit these docs"

Dropbox or Box.net remote secure Web-based storage: Many of the iPad apps integrate into these two products, and they're free. You can save any file type to these remote storage apps and retrieve directly from other iPad apps

PrintBureau: Allows for remote printing from your iPad to any device your work computer is connected to. Even works over 3G. This is another must-have, according to Brown

Citrix Receiver: Allows VPN access to your Citrix-based host computers to give you complete access to your corporate desktop environment remotely. A must-have for Citrix users, Brown says

Roambi: This easy-to-use business intelligence user interface is the best Brown has seen on the iPad

Jump and Teleport: Remote access to computers for support or access

Webex: Works just like the PC version

Early Edition-Super RSS reader with integration to Google Reader: Puts RSS feeds into a nice and easy-to-read newspaper format

MyCongress: This is an app for those who want to keep up with their elected representatives. Brown uses it to contact them on grocery industry issues

Sketchy: A wonderful screen-prototyping tool. Brown uses it to create screens for all sorts of development projects

WritePad: Note-taking and handwriting recognition app. "This needs work," Brown says, "but it's a great start"

Digits and Calc XT: Two different calculator apps that offer really good functionality

Noterize: Good tools to edit and highlight .pdf and PowerPoint docs. After editing, you can send these edits back to the team or person you're working with

iAnnotate: Another good editing tool for .pdf and PowerPoint docs

Evernote: Great cross-platform note-taking and task management tool

And when Brown's on the road, his colleagues can find him easily via his posts on Foursquare, which leads us to the next retailer to be featured here: Don Fallon, general manager of Ring Bros. Marketplace, a community-based independent grocer in South Dennis, Mass., which has already integrated Foursquare into its loyalty program.

Each time a user "checks in" to the store, she gains 500 rewards points — the equivalent of spending $5 at the store. The store's Foursquare "Mayor" earns additional benefits, including free products. "We set up a PLU specifically for check-ins, which our cashiers confirm by viewing the Foursquare app on a customer's mobile phone," says Fallon. "It's a strong driver of traffic to the store, as they have to be physically here to redeem their points."

Members also leave "tips" for other Foursquare users, such as reviews on the store's products. One such tip promotes the store's Peacemaker sandwich, for example.

While there are currently just over 50 members on Ring's Foursquare site, Fallon expects the number of users to increase dramatically as the platform continues to grow in popularity.

Note: You can find our LinkedIn group by clicking the LinkedIn link on Progressive Grocer's home page: www.progressivegrocer.com.