Choose a Retail Audit Software Vendor in 6 Steps

Presenting customers with options is part of the Bindy culture. Let’s discuss how to choose a retail audit software vendor, in six steps.

Being a retail audit software vendor ourselves, it is arguably difficult not to be biased. For this reason, we try to remain neutral in the general discussion while also identifying what Bindy does in relevant areas.

Let’s dive in.

Step 1: Compile list of must-have features

What key features do you require?

Start with your operations, loss-prevention and/or merchandising groups (any group expected to use the data collection and retail audit software). Ask them to compile a list of “must have” features. Start with how you work currently. Then, add features that address today’s pain points, increase productivity, reduce risks and/or cut costs.

Key Bindy features

– Audit scheduling with Outlook™ support
– Email notifications and reminders
– Geolocation, geocoding, geofencing and maps
– Support for smartphones, tablets and laptops
– Online and offline
– Action plans (assign deficiencies for resolution)
– Electronic signatures with touch-screen
– Support for photos and attachments
– Graphical dashboard
– Goals and KPIs
– Import and export users and locations to Excel™
– Web and Excel™-based form builder
– Advanced analytics and reporting
– Automated scoring
– Permission-based access

What device(s) are you users using?

Next, ask your team what devices they want the product to work on. Are you satisfied with mobile devices only or do you want head office and store users to also be able to use the product on PCs? 

Bindy supports smartphones, tablets and PCs

The success of an in-store program, such as a merchandising campaign or health and safety audit, requires store-level participation. Because audits are ineffective if the results are not shared with store management and staff and do not involve the stores, with the equipment on hand. Users and stores expect, and need to, connect with the devices they have, be it a smartphone, a tablet or a PC. Mobile-first does not mean mobile-only.

Do you need support for multiple languages?

Do you need to collect data in multiple languages, such as English, Spanish and French concurrently and run consolidated reports across languages?

Bindy is multi-lingual out of the box

Bindy supports data entry in multiple languages concurrently and consolidated reporting.

Do you need to work online as well as offline?

Online, aka “real time” is the fastest and easiest way to work. But online has limitations. For instance, connections can be intermittent or unreliable in remote areas and areas where reception is poor, intermittent or lacking.

Compliant works online AND offline

Your ability to audit stores cannot be contingent on internet reception, reliant on best-case scenarios and ideal conditions. In the real world, internet access is expected but not guaranteed. For the sake of your retail execution programs and users, make sure your retail audit and store execution software is capable of working both online and offline.

Turnover in retail is high. Are you able to manage users and locations in bulk?

Managing users and locations using a web-based interface is handy. It is a core requirement and near universally available. But it does not scale. For example, if you have 1,000 or more locations and users to enter, can you upload them all at once?

Bindy lets you import users, locations and forms in bulk

Bulk import of locations and users, one-time and ongoing.

What reporting capabilities are available?

What type of reporting do you require to support your business units? Do you need both aggregated summaries and raw data? Can you export your data and feed it to a third-party analytics engine?

Bindy has 27 ready-to-use reports

27 built-in reports, both raw and aggregates. Trends, repeat unacceptable. Full export and API capabilities.

Step 2: Schedule a demonstration

Does the product have all must-have features?

Make sure your needs are addressed, all of them! Addressing 75% of your needs with a bare-bones solution will only create frustrations and will hold you back from reaping the benefits of automation. Go with the software that does what you need today, not the software that perhaps, one day, with considerable investments, could.

Is it easy to manage, easy to setup, easy to use?

Bindy is proven and field-tested

Every screen, every prompt, every function is carefully and purposefully designed, field-tested and ongoingly reviewed to be clear, intuitive and cohesive with the rest of the system. 

Step 3: Research the company

Is the company established and reliable?

Is the company established, reputable and dependable? Have you spoken with some of their customers in the same category (comparable size and store count)?
How long have they been in business? In your estimation, will they still be in business in 5 years?

Bindy was established in 2009

Bindy was established in 2009. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Betterdot Systems Inc, established in 1999. We have been profitable every year since 1999, are self-financed, have no outside investors and are debt-free. We are registered with Dun & Bradstreet. Our parent company developed Bindy by investing profits from its software consulting practice. Bindy has been so successful, the consulting practice was discontinued years ago to focus on the product alone.

Step 4: Request pricing

Get a quote in writing. Note and compare any and all expenses, both upfront and ongoing. Make sure you are not charged for updates to the software. Make sure the service agreement can be cancelled within a reasonable period of time with no penalties.

Bindy is all inclusive and includes unlimited users and locations

Bindy is quoted as an “all inclusive” fee. There is no setup fee, no per seat license, no hardware, software or maintenance cost or any other fee other than the all-inclusive fee quoted.

Step 5: Run a free trial

Are you able to trial the software with your locations, users, forms and devices? Is the trial free? Is support available during the trial?

Bindy offers a free trial…with support

We work closely with each customer during the free trial. We help you upload locations, users and forms and answer any questions you may have.

Step 6: Conduct technical due diligence

What measures does the vendor take to ensure the security of your data and the reliability of the service?

Finally, ask your IT department to inspect the security measures taken by the vendor to ensure the security of your data and the reliability of the service.

Bindy takes security and reliability seriously

Bindy takes the security of your data and the reliability of the service very seriously. Some of the security and reliability measures we take (full details) include:
– Firewalls and Network Infrastructure
– Encryption in Transit
– Encryption in Storage
– Physical Security
– Backups
– Redundancy
– Monitoring