Smart store logistics with smartphones and apps
CIO with a focus on logistics
Olav Fyldeng is a strongly supply chain-oriented CIO with extensive experience from the 3PL industry, retail and IT consulting with a focus on business systems. Experience of major value in a business whose core is purchasing, logistics, distribution and sales.
“It’s important that those of us who work with IT are able to support the company in delivering value, and that we do so throughout our customers’ journeys – before, during and after a purchase. There is otherwise a risk that customers will start bird watching, biking or something else,” he says with a smile.
Out with computers, in with mobiles
In recent years, a successful initiative has been carried out to equip staff throughout the organization with smartphones and eliminate traditional computers. Of Plantagen’s approximately 2,400 employees, only 400 have a desk and can thus benefit from a conventional computer. The others have no fixed workplaces.
“Everything is now mobile out in our stores. The aim is to give staff the tools they need to do their job as well as possible and to provide first-rate customer service. Mobile phones are powerful tools that give access to vital business information,” says Olav, and believes that today’s smartphones are significantly better than the handheld computers that have been used by frontline workers thus far.
Kodak moment
“Because we got started a little late, we skipped the phase when many others created their own networks and bought handheld computers,” Olav explains. “We’ve instead gone straight to the point and are using ordinary smartphones on our regular network.
Mobile phones have become better and are more rugged than before, and they also have better cameras, image processing and run apps better. I think it’s a bit of a ‘Kodak moment’ for many of the established players, who seem to have fallen behind in terms of both hardware and software.”
Cloud-based, user-friendly solution
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About Olav Fyldeng
- Education: Masters in Business and Economics, Norwegian School of Economics (NHH).
- Career: 25 years of experience in the IT industry, including as an ERP consultant at Accenture for ten years and the past ten years in senior roles in retail.
- Best leadership advice: Hire employees who are smarter than you.
- Family: Wife and three children.
- Interests: Do-it-yourself projects, including in the gardens both at home and at the country house, and all kinds of technology.