The iPad and other tablet devices are impacting newsagency businesses in a number of ways operationally as well as at the sales counter.
In response to a comment here, here are my thoughts on the impact of the iPad and similar devices.
How the iPad can impact operationally on a newsagency:
- I know of newsagents who have been using their iPads as business tools since the device was first launched. They are using it for a number of purposes:
- To access the business from home or on the road and check sales and do back office work.
- To check inventory sales history from a supplier warehouse or a trade show floor.
- To use the iPad as an additional software access terminal without the need to purchase a full terminal.
- As a display device for newspaper delivery runs.
How the iPad is impacting on newsagency sales:
- More people are accessing news and information using mobile devices. This is leading to changes in how consumers access news and information and thereby changing the role of newspapers and magazines.
- More publishers are pursuing models whereby they nurture direct to consumer relationships through Apps.
- Some newspapers in the US have closed down their print editions in favour of and online only model. In Seattle, the publisher did this to the financial success of the business.
- Some magazine publishers have launched digital only titles.
- Many publishers are working on the reader experience to find magic which provides the reader with a better than paper experience.
- In books we are seeing booklets published for these devices, kind of novella in size and costing a few cents. This and other innovation is bringing more voices to the public arena.
- There is a move to freeing articles from mastheads, making them available for micro payments. Look at what happened when this move was achieved with music.
- I think that print sales will continue in slow decline. That said, I see opportunities with newspapers and magazines for proactive newsagents. This is why I will continue to champion the medium.
Ideally I would spend a couple of hours presenting about this at a conference or meeting, teasing out each of these and other points. The notes above are just some of the highlights. I hope they satisfy the interest of people here.
I’d love other newsagents to share here how they are using their iPad in their business.
Maybe publishers and newsagents can use this technology to sell more collectibles such as trading cards and posters. ANGRY BIRDS is a good example.
Anthony, the Angry Birds products have sold very well – I hope you got in on them!
At60+ my mind is stretched to the limit just using POS
Its not for me or I ssuspect for many who struggle with new tech.
Carol,
Don’t worry. I am 40 + . I still reckon the IPAD is just a laptop without a keyboard.
My 11 year old son says its just an ipod with a big screen. He can’t see what the fuss is about.
My For Arts Sake rep came by this morning with her new ipad and wee “round the neck on a rope” scanner(individual to her ipad) – brilliant !! She can bring up individual control pockets, I could see excellent photos of stationery product item by item. It’s a fantastic tool for her situation. I cannot yet see a use for an ipad in my store.
We have an iPad but to date it is only getting used as a laptop . Those damm angry birds it is an addictive game
The fuss is what publishers are doing with it and devices like it. This is a new distribution channel.
Thanks Mark
I appreciate your summary and together with the short history in the digital age, there is proof that these devices become part of ones life and business.
Its does however appear it has some handy benefits that can be used as you said to access various types of information when away from POS systems.
I certainly also believe their is many years of print media left for specialists Newsagents coupled with diversity. Distributors & Publishers need specialists now than ever before, mainly due to overkill in outlets that only take the top 40 or 50 magazines.
Note: I am not a specialist Newsagent. Keep pushing the message to all.
One way we can connect with this channel is through mobile phone SIM card sales, mobile phone top up and iTunes voucher sales. Not huge but a connection nevertheless.
As long as not too much cash is tied up then I certainly agree, connections / attractions via devices and accessories will draw new/more into one’s business which will be needed that I am sure off.
I would love to see what the Newsagency model will look like in 5 years time.
An example I remember well of a business that needed to change their model is Dick Smith, once upon a time you walked intotheir shop and half the shop was more electrical parts and plugs, now that part of the business is a fraction of what it was.
I now leave my laptop @ work and carry my iPad everywhere.
I use mine to do Gns orders,remote into my pos system to run reports and work from home
I am keen to try it to do a delivery run with it.
Two disadvantages are keys can be too small for fat fingers sometimes, and would love to be able to connect a scanner to it (only have ipad 1) make stocktaking etc easier.
David,
We also use my iPad to place some orders (namely Jenlist).
And often leave my laptop at home and just grab the iPad – it’s just quick and easy when you don need to do any heavy content creation.
I also use it as a remote assistance terminal. Get a call at 5am telling me the EFTPOS isn’t working – just reach across, grab the iPad and troubleshoot e problem remotely … without even having to get out of bed 🙂
If you’re looking for more intensive business use (ordering, POS system interaction, etc) wait until next year if you can. Windows 8 (optimised for tablets) will be released and there will be a large lineup of companies with iPad-like hardware ready to release ship in Q3 and Q4.
Like with all previous versions of Windows, newsagency POS software providers will probably have their software working on the new OS in a few months. There should be no need to use RDP when you can install the software directly on the device.
Mark,
I agree re mobile phone and related products. I’m hoping Optus or Virgin release a pre-paid tablet sometime before Christmas. The Optus tablet that was available up until a few months ago sold really well for us and it was unfortunately that we had to turn multiple customers away because it was discontinued.
Pre-paid recharge continues to be a huge market in Australia and newsagents are well placed to capture more of the market than the currently own. Convenience of location and quick service are, in my experience, the two most important demands of recharge customers. Most newsagents can easily offer this.