AI has become a powerful tool for many industries, but frontline workers haven’t seen the same level of integration. The challenge isn’t interest or need – it’s that most solutions are out of reach. Surveys show that only 23% of frontline workers say they have digital tools to help them in their jobs.  

Many AI tools depend on expensive mobile devices, specialized apps, or infrastructure-heavy systems. For retailers, that often means adding yet another tool to an already crowded list of platforms. The result is that frontline associates continue relying on outdated processes, missing the speed and support that AI could bring to their daily tasks and customer interactions.

The benefits of accessible AI

When frontline teams can tap into AI, it benefits everyone in the store. For associates, it means instant access to knowledge that makes it easier to handle tasks and answer questions with confidence. Instead of relying only on experience or searching through manuals or databases, employees have support in the moment to guide their work.  

That kind of efficiency matters, because studies show employees spend over 25% of their time searching for the information they need to do their jobs. AI helps bring that wasted time back into helping customers.

Customers benefit from faster response times and more consistent information. When shoppers know their questions will be answered quickly and accurately, it builds trust. In retail, where service can define the experience, these improvements add up to lasting loyalty.

Retailers see the payoff across their operations. Accessible AI simplifies training, keeps processes consistent from store to store, and gives managers greater visibility into what is happening on the floor.  

By improving how associates work and how customers are served, AI helps retailers raise overall performance while reducing friction in daily operations.

SYNQ’s approach: Agentic AI through radios

SYNQ makes AI accessible by meeting frontline teams on the tools they already use every day: their radios. Instead of requiring new hardware or additional apps, the voice AI suite acts as a modem for two-way radios, taking voice requests and routing them to API endpoints for real-time answers.  

This gives associates the ability to use the radios they already carry to ask questions, claim requests, or manage tasks without interrupting current workflows.  

On the sales floor, this means everyday tasks become faster and easier. Looking up a product code, checking if an item is in stock, or confirming availability at another location can all be done in the flow of conversation. Instead of stepping away from the customer, associates stay present, resolve questions on the spot, and keep the experience moving.

Bringing AI within reach

AI should empower every associate on the frontline, not just those with access to specialized devices. By delivering AI through radios, SYNQ makes this possible in a way that is practical, scalable, and attainable.  

For retailers, the opportunity is clear: bridging the AI gap doesn’t just strengthen operations, it creates better experiences for both employees and customers. The frontline is ready for AI, and with SYNQ’s voice AI suite, it’s finally within reach.