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20 Great Ideas To Steal In 2012

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Buying A Purse? There's An App For That

Ralph Lauren has transformed what its staff can do for customers with initiatives on both ends of its tech environment.

On the front end, a new iPad app shows high-definition 3-D models of all the color, hardware, and inscription combinations available for the popular Ricky Bag. Ralph Lauren's retail stores can't stock all 90 possible combos, but the app can show them all.

Another app replaces printed spreadsheets to more accurately collect measurements for a tailored suit. Salespeople can point at the part of a garment on the screen that needs altering, and a tape measure pops up to enter the data with a slide of the finger.

On the back end, a new point-of-sale system has reduced transaction time. The standardized system also makes it easier for the retailer to add new and even temporary stores. Ralph Lauren also integrated its wholesale and retail inventories so they can be now be sold interchangeably.