In the consumer packaged goods (CPG) and retail sectors, sales reps and merchandisers often lose valuable time on manual data collection, which impacts productivity. Optical character recognition (OCR) solutions, such as tools that convert JPG to Word, can automate this process, allowing teams to focus on sales and relationship-building. This article explores how OCR technology can streamline retail execution and overcome common challenges in the industry.
Challenges of manual data collection in CPG
Manual data collection poses several issues for retail teams:
- Wasted time: Recording data like prices and SKUs manually is slow and error-prone, reducing the number of stores reps can visit in a day.
- Poor data quality: Manual entry often leads to errors, typos, and inconsistencies, delaying data availability and complicating verification processes.
- High costs: Time spent on data entry increases operational expenses, while managers lack real-time visibility into field conditions, making it harder to address issues like out-of-stocks quickly.
- Business inefficiencies: Slow processes can hinder your ability to respond to pricing changes, promotional compliance, and product availability, ultimately affecting revenue and ROI.
To address these issues, businesses should consider software that automates data collection and reduces time spent on non-selling tasks.
What is OCR technology?
OCR (Optical Character Recognition) automates the extraction of data from photos or documents, essentially functioning as a sophisticated JPG to Word converter for business assets. It transforms tedious manual data entry into a fast and accurate process, enabling businesses to collect and process information in real time.
OCR works by scanning an image, enhancing its clarity, and applying algorithms to identify and convert characters into machine-readable text. In retail, this means faster reporting, better decision-making, and improved operational efficiency.
Benefits of OCR in retail execution
OCR technology offers several key advantages for the CPG and retail sectors:
- Saves time: Reps can capture data by simply taking a photo of a form, eliminating manual entry and allowing them to focus on higher-value tasks.
- Improves accuracy: By automating data extraction, OCR reduces errors and ensures over 95% accuracy in transferring information.
- Real-time data collection: Instant data capture helps teams address pricing, compliance, and stock issues more quickly.
- Boosts productivity and reduces costs: By automating data entry, teams can complete tasks faster, visit more stores, and reduce operational expenses.
Who benefits most from OCR?
OCR technology is especially valuable for specific roles within the CPG industry:
- Sales reps and merchandisers: Field staff can capture paper-based details and later digitize them using OCR, saving time and improving accuracy.
- Field teams in remote areas: Reps without reliable internet access can collect data on paper and upload it for processing when they reconnect.
OCR in action
Imagine a sales rep conducting an inventory review in a store with poor internet access. The rep records product counts on paper during the visit. Later, they take a photo of the completed form and upload it using OCR technology. The system processes the photo, extracts the product details, and automatically fills out the required fields in minutes — saving hours of manual work.
How to implement OCR for retail execution
Using OCR for retail execution is simple and requires no specialized technical skills. Here’s how it typically works:
- Capture: During store visits, reps record information on paper forms.
- Upload: The form is photographed and uploaded into the OCR system.
- Process: The system analyzes the image, extracts key details, and auto-populates the necessary fields.
- Verify: The captured data is cross-checked for accuracy against the original form.
By integrating OCR into retail execution processes, businesses can streamline workflows, improve data quality, and reduce the burden of administrative tasks on their teams. This allows sales reps and merchandisers to focus on what truly matters — driving revenue and building strong customer relationships.
