Average Rating: Rate this article:

Microsoft Woos Retailers with End-to-End, Profit-Boosting Apps By Jennifer LeClaire February 4, 2013 9:56AM     The Redmond-based software giant made a big splash recently in New York at the National Retail Federation Expo, introducing Microsoft Dynamics for Retail and other Microsoft solutions for the retail industry. Used together, Microsoft says these technologies can help retailers boost efficiency and profitability from headquarters to the store floor.   Related Topics Microsoft Dynamics Enterprise Retail SQL Big Data CRM Business Intelligence E-Commerce Analytics Latest News What's in Store for Apple's iOS 7? Reality TV's New Stars: Small Biz Soundbars Up the Ante on TV Sound Google Glass Raises Privacy Concerns Pentagon Gives iOS 6 Security OK Microsoft is working hard to meet the demands of retailers, from the largest global chains down to local retail stores and SMBs, offering a host of enterprise tools that equip businesses to implement effective customer -centric strategies. Indeed, Microsoft is promising that its enterprise solutions can help retailers increase their efficiency, empower their employees, optimize operations, and also take advantage of consumer insights. While those are big promises, Microsoft says it has a unique perspective on retail solutions, given its own experience with various aspects of the supply chain. That perspective could pay off for retailers, and, for Microsoft's bottom line. Tracy Issel, general manager of Microsoft's Worldwide Retail Sector, rightly points out: "With our position as a consumer goods company and a retailer, we are uniquely able to help retailers create a connected shopping experience for their customers across multiple channels and touch points, whether it's at home, in the store, or on the go." Of course, many other technology developers could also claim similar expertise, but Microsoft remains steadfast in its position. Optimizing Retail Operations Simply put, Microsoft wants retailers to know that, "Microsoft gets retailers." And, Microsoft understands all too well that technology budgets are still tight. The software giant knows retailers need to keep costs down while also driving competitive differentiation up and meeting customer expectations. And, Microsoft sees it's getting tougher for retailers to attract and retain customers at a profit. Part of Microsoft's answer to all these challenges is software that can handle Big Data. We're talking about large-scale enterprise applications that can help retailers turn metrics into meaningful insights that could drive efficiencies, boost revenue and increase customer loyalty. In fact, Microsoft has several technology solutions, including its SQL Server, Windows Server, and Windows Azure platform. These technologies help retailers address Big Data questions by analyzing and delivering data to decision-makers so they can respond to customer demands more quickly. Retail Customer Success Microsoft points to Royal Caribbean International as an example of a company using its solutions in this way. Management for the international cruise line says it was was able to realize significant efficiencies with SQL Server, Windows Server and the Windows Embedded platform by optimizing and streamlining operations on its Oasis-class ships, the largest in the world. (continued...) 1  |  2  |  Next Page >   Tell Us What You Think Comment: Name: Also Visit: iPad Info Center Billions of Bytes Mobile Device Now Apple Info Center TopTechWire.com Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computers are engineered to withstand drops, spills, dust and grime, and to perform in the harshest environments. Rugged reliability, low cost of ownership and accolades from reviewers are just a few of the reasons why Toughbook computers keep winning over the world's toughest users. Click here to learn more.  Applications 1.   HP and SAP Team on HANA Database 2.   MS Dynamics Saving Revlon Millions 3.   Upbeat BlackBerry Unveils Q5 Phone 4.   Google, Microsoft Battle Over Apps 5.   HP Boosts Data Center IT Automation HP and SAP Team on HANA Database Large-scale, in-memory data analytics. Average Rating: HP Boosts Data Center IT Automation With new tools for developers and cloud. Average Rating: Tool Finds Cheap Flights -- Eventually Insight tool crunches the data for you. Average Rating:

Product Information and Resources for Technology You Can Use To Boost Your Business BYOD & MDM   Build a business case for a BYOD program. CRM Systems   Free Download: Understanding the Voice of the Customer   Unlock the potential in your people with Microsoft Dynamics   How Microsoft Dynamics helped mobilize retail businesses   2 million CRM success stories and counting...   Experience CRM and Business Success today with Salesforce.com.   Free Download: Understanding the Voice of the Customer   Optimize CRM with Data Quality Management. More from Trillium Cloud & Virtualization   Riverbed Stingray Traffic Manager on Amazon Web Services Contact Centers   Unlock the potential in your people with Microsoft Dynamics Customer Data   Free Download: Understanding the Voice of the Customer   See how you can benefit from Microsoft Dynamics   Free Download: Understanding the Voice of the Customer Customer Service   Improve your customer relationships with Microsoft Dynamics   2 million CRM success stories and counting...   Unlock the potential in your people with Microsoft Dynamics Data Security   Simpana® 10 software: an exponential leap forward Enterprise Hardware   The 2013 Toughpad™ tablets. Rugged, secure and built for business.   Rugged and reliable Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computers.   The best document scanner for you? Try KODAK's scanner selector   APC makes it easy for you to focus on business growth, not downtime. Enterprise I.T.   Brocade's mission: Making networks easier to deploy, manage, and scale.   11 Challenges Solved by Infrastructure for Small IT Environments Enterprise Software   Get critical data off paper and into SharePoint! Watch the video.   Simpana® 10 software: an exponential leap forward Hardware   The 2013 Toughpad™ tablets. Rugged, secure and built for business.   Rugged and reliable Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computers.   Rugged and reliable Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computers Innovation   The best document scanner for you? Try KODAK's scanner selector   Brocade's mission: Making networks easier to deploy, manage, and scale. Laptops & Tablets   Rugged and reliable Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computers. Mobile Apps   Build great mobile apps that drive engagement. Mobile Tech   Rugged and reliable Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computers Small Business   The best document scanner for you? Try KODAK's scanner selector Tech Trends   APC makes it easy for you to focus on business growth, not downtime.

Network Security Spotlight

Syrian Electronic Army Hacks Financial Times The Financial Times is the latest victim of the Syrian Electronic Army, a group that supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The U.K.-based newspaper said a blog and its Twitter accounts were hacked.   Patch Tuesday Hyper Focuses on IE 8 Microsoft on Tuesday issued 10 security bulletins that fix 33 vulnerabilities. These updates include MS13-038, which will address the Internet Explorer 8 issue described in Security Advisory 2847140.   Surge of Venture Capital Buoys Tech Security Sector With companies and governments spending billions to repel cyberthreats, a surge of venture capital is pouring into companies developing cybersecurity technologies, the front line of the conflict.

Enterprise Hardware Spotlight

U.S. Defense Department Gives iOS 6 Security OK In a vote of confidence for Apple's iOS devices, the Defense Department has given the all-clear for employees to use iPads and iPhones for work. But only those running iOS 6, and only if issued by the government.   Cisco Surges After Profit Exceeds Analysts' Estimates Networking equipment giant Cisco's net income jumped 14 percent in the latest quarter as revenue at all four of its divisions rose for the first time in a year and a half, as tech spending increases.   HP and SAP Team To Advance HANA Database Technology The two tech leaders are working on a system that SAP says could fundamentally change the database market. HANA is SAP's technology that keeps data in-memory, for super fast processing.

Mobile Enterprise Spotlight

What's in Store for Apple's iOS 7? There's been talk recently that Apple's products are beginning to coast on their glorious past. So, with Apple's big Worldwide Developers Conference opening next month, speculation about iOS 7 is heating up.   Google Glass Raises Congressional Privacy Concerns The buzz around Google Glass continues, but it's not all good. Some in Congress have questions. "We are curious whether this new technology could infringe on the privacy of average Americans," their letter to Google says.   Windows Phone Now No. 3 in Market, BlackBerry No. 4 Has Microsoft Phone moved into a coveted though distant third place for smartphone platforms behind Google's Android and Apple's iOS? A new report says yes, while BlackBerry has slipped to No. 4.

Enterprise Technology Spotlight

U.S. Could Use Cyberattack on Syrian Air Defenses The Pentagon has cyberattack capabilities that allow the U.S. military to help blind Syrian air defenses without firing a shot -- abilities central to a debate over whether to intervene in the 2-year-old civil war.   HP and SAP Team To Advance HANA Database Technology The two tech leaders are working on a system that SAP says could fundamentally change the database market. HANA is SAP's technology that keeps data in-memory, for super fast processing.   Cloud Computing Gains Another Competitor with Google Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure now have a full-on rival in Google, with its I/O announcement that it is opening its hosted Compute Engine environment for virtual machines to all comers.

Navigation NewsFactor Network Home/Top News | Enterprise I.T. | Cloud & Virtualization | Applications | Unified Communications | Mobile Tech | Hardware | Business Intelligence World Wide Web | Network Security | Data Storage | Small Business | Microsoft/Windows | Apple/Mac | Linux/Open Source | Personal Tech Press Releases NewsFactor Network Enterprise I.T. Sites NewsFactor Technology News | Enterprise Security Today | CRM Daily NewsFactor Business and Innovation Sites Sci-Tech Today | NewsFactor Business Report NewsFactor Services FreeNewsFeed | Free Newsletters | About NewsFactor Network | How To Contact Us | Article Reprints | Careers @ NewsFactor | Services for PR Pros | Top Tech Wire | How To Advertise Privacy Policy | Terms of Service © Copyright 2000-2013 NewsFactor Network. All rights reserved. Article rating technology by Blogowogo. Member of Accuserve Ad Network.