Supply chain software provider HighJump Software Inc. has released a mobile application that gives consumer- or commercial-grade smartphones and tablets the capabilities to execute inventory and order-fulfillment transactions, the company said Monday.

Known as HighJump Supply Chain Advantage inMotion, the application could help lower operational expenses and boost workforce efficiency as retailers hurry to equip their physical storefronts with omnichannel fulfillment capabilities, the firm said during the National Retail Federation (NRF's) annual convention in New York City.

Another advantage of running fulfillment applications on widely available consumer products—in addition to traditional, rugged commercial devices—is that a flexible compatibility with iOS, Android, and Windows 10 mobile devices could reduce training demands for employees who are familiar with their own smartphones and tablets, HighJump said.

As shoppers continue to migrate to e-commerce from shopping in brick-and-mortar retail storefronts, those employees will increasingly need the flexibility to perform tasks for both types of business, employers say. That is one reason that HighJump is selling Supply Chain Advantage inMotion with either the purchase of a HighJump Warehouse Advantage warehouse management system (WMS) or a HighJump Retail Advantage in-store fulfillment application.

HighJump has been broadening the utility of its WMS to include applications beyond traditional warehouse applications. For instance, it added enhanced mobility and revenue tracking capabilities in August 2016 to appeal to target users in the third-party logistics (3PL) market.

By expanding fulfillment operations to commercial devices, the company is continuing that trend.

As a warehouse employee completes WMS-directed tasks using HighJump Supply Chain Advantage inMotion (often with a connected or integrated scanner), real-time information flows back to the HighJump WMS. If business processes or data collection requirements are changed within the WMS, they are reflected in the mobile app. These devices can also access the internet, place a phone call, and embed additional capabilities, such as inspections with digital image captures.

"We designed the application for ease of use on touchscreens in an effort to help employees—especially the growing millennial workforce—contribute to the larger business goals," HighJump executive vice president and chief strategy officer Ross Elliott said in a release. "We're always focused on reducing operational expenses and increasing efficiency for our customers. This new, adaptable mobile application is in line with that philosophy, because it harnesses the power of all the latest handheld devices to help businesses succeed."