Consumerism and retail growth – a factor that no economy of the world could survive without – boosted by spending rises in the recent past have given way to one of the largest rises in IT consumerism across the world. According to industry experts in the UK, the rise in demand has seen a corresponding increase in competition and drastic reduction in actual floor space for demanded products. The convergence of technology and telecom goes far beyond the internet or broadband connectivity, it is now all about Smart phones’, SIM enabled laptops and the age of mobile wireless broadband connectivity.

With Smartphones and SIM enabled Laptops now becoming more accessible in terms of price and packed with even more features – the telecom industry is now one of the most lucrative industries worldwide. The Telegraph reports that 64pc of all phones sold in the UK in the last quarter of 2010 were Smartphone’s, with iPhone sales logging in an incredible 1.5 million units in the same period. Laptops with SIM adaptability too have seen a rise in popularity, as have all forms of wireless connectivity.

The similarities between business operations in the technology retail trade and the telecom retail trade are manifold – indicating that companies looking to diversify need not invest from scratch. Procurement and stock control, sales and follow up procedures, employee goal management and VAS and EPOS investment are some of the most common similarities but also some of the most infrastructure heavy components in the telecom industry.

With massive growth in competition in the technology industry, coupled with vast convergence and the opportunity to deliver all customer needs in-house are reasons many retailers shouldn’t limit themselves to looking at how to compete. The telecom industry over the last decade has shown consistent and substantial growth. And the trend doesn’t seem to be changing. With Smartphone and mobile broadband demand through the roof, there has never been a better time to diversify into the telecom industry.

Natural progression: The enhancement in infrastructure between an IT retailer and a telecom retailer is slim. Allowing for telecom industry specific processes; the basic industry itself is rather similar. In addition to low startup costs due to less infrastructure development and minor skill upgrades in order to adapt from technology retail to telecommunications, the evolution of technology too, gives every indication of a smooth transition.

This situation also provides ample opportunities for telecom-technology synergy. By diversifying, companies enhance their potential and can exploit opportunities to cater to all client needs in house.

GFK Retail and Technology UK Limited, one of the world’s foremost market research companies in a recently published report stated that the mobile handset market rose by 2.4 million units in the year ending September 2010 – growth fuelled largely by the increase of Smartphone usage in the UK.

Technology like the Smartphone and SIM enabled laptops speak of a need for units that encompass the features of all individual items of technology and whcih are also able to cope with SMS, voice, VOIP, 3G and networking; allowing users to live on the move.

The way forward: There are a host of benefits when diversifying from IT to Telecommunications – with the obvious cost savings representing just the tip of a potentially very profitable iceberg. Having operated in a strictly sales based business model while handling technology retail exclusively - migrating to the commission based business model would represent the greatest degree of difficulty; however, with the inevitable need to deliver combined technology-telecommunication packages in order to stay afloat - industry entrants will have to find a way to cope.

By diversifying into the telecom industry, you make the most of your existing brand value and capitalize on adding on a far safer investment to your portfolio. Existing technology customers as well can be converted – with relative ease – to telecom customers, providing you with a pre existing database to build on. Website traffic to an existing site can also be integrated into the diversification, by employing a branch of white label marketing that will allow the sale of telecom products on your existing website, once again, capitalizing on your existing market.

However the most obvious benefit is the ability to cater to all the technology and communications needs your clients require – the overall combination of two very large segments – in house. Building on the existing brand and value of the technology industry and assuring business growth.

The ability to integrate a host of sales channels is by far one of the largest advantages of diversification into the telecom industry. With the right software, integrating an existing database and maximizing sales potential from technology to telecom as well as linking website with a completely new telecom white label branch is just the beginning. Companies can also diversify into internet marketing, call centre and larger corporate accounts with complete ease, building upon existing clients and brand reputation.

Taking the leap: The most difficult factor for any company entering the technology industry is managing industry specific issues. Although generic software does play a role in the mitigation of risks, certain aspects of the telecom industry are far beyond the scope of what generic software can handle.

The answer - Telecom industry specific software - with the ability to automate practices and ensure that systems run efficiently and within set controls. For a relatively minor investment, the technology available does far more that just make it possible to survive in the telecom industry – it makes it possible to thrive.

The investment in telecom specific technology goes a long way toward avoiding the common start up mistakes many telecom industry entrants make. With complicated processes like commission reconciliation, Pricebook features and Performance monitoring difficulties – many new companies are soon swallowed up by the numbers. With telecom industry specific software in place, these issues are avoided right from the start – ensuring smooth workflow and completely risk free diversification.

Why salestar™ connect: With over a decade’s experience in the telecom industry, salestar™ connect, the leader in software solutions for telecom resellers and distributors, delivers telecom industry specific functionalities based on best practices that ensure maximum efficiency and Returns on Investment across the organization.

Tailored specifically for how the telecom industry operates, the salestar™ connect software simplifies workflows from sales processing to procurement, warehousing and CRM – ensuring accurate data entry while avoiding duplication of information, fraud and mistakes. The software is also 100% scalable and completely flexible – delivering a future-proof solution that makes sales channel exploration and integration possible at no additional cost.

The ability to move into call centre sales, e-marketing, white label sales, B2B selling and database integration at a fraction of the cost of individual operational software, in addition to telecom industry tailored EPOS, VAS, CRM, Stock Control, Virtual Warehousing, Key Performance monitoring and Finance is what gives salestar™ connect its edge over competition. These functionalities, in addition to features tailored specifically for the telecom industry such as commission reconciliation, Pricebook features, Clawbacks and Dealer Management functionalities make salestar™ connect the ideal solution for telecom industry businesses.

With unmatched versatility, functionality and cost effectiveness, salestar™ connect makes telecom industries work smarter and enhance revenue, going from mediocre to major player in a matter of months – every single time.

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