As part of the National Retail Federation's Annual Convention and Expo, Microsoft  executives rolled up their sleeves to demonstrate how top retailers are using Microsoft technology to attract customers, empower employees, and manage operations.
One of Microsoft's goals at the retail expo was to showcase how some of its new technologies and partner solutions can help retailers take their business to the next level. Perhaps the most important product introduction was for Microsoft Dynamics for Retail -- a software -based solution encompassing customer relationship management (CRM), customer engagement management (CEM), and a host of related functions, from financial and forecasting to store operations, supply chain management, and more.
Big Show, Big Challenge
The NRF expo, which is positioned as "Retail's BIG Show," ran from January 13-16th at New York's Javits Convention Center, with more than 27,000 retail professionals in attendance, including CEOs, small business owners, and a full range of marketing staffers.
One key theme of the show was dubbed "socialnomics" -- short for social economics and focused on transforming the way retailers need to do business in order to be profitable in today's social, mobile , digital world.
Brendan O'Meara, Microsoft's managing director for Worldwide Retail Sector, addressed the topic, emphasizing that a customer-centric approach is critical to making the sale these days. Why? Because today's 24/7 mobile and digital lifestyle has put customers in the driver's seat. Customers are armed with more information, more options and more expectations.
"Retailers have to deliver very personal, very relevant experiences to their customers in order to differentiate themselves from the crowd," O'Meara said.
Dynamics for Retail
As a highlight of their presentation, Microsoft execs announced the availability of Microsoft Dynamics for Retail, and demonstrated how it can help retailers reduce complexity.
Microsoft Dynamics for Retail is an end-to-end solution designed to help a retailer manage every aspect of the business, from store operations and supply chain to merchandising, call centers and financials, explained Michael Griffiths, who serves as global product industry director for Microsoft Business Solutions.
The software-based solution promises to help businesses connect better with customers by letting them buy, pick up, return, or exchange items on their own terms. Microsoft said Dynamics for Retail also helps empower salespeople and service reps by delivering relevant, real-time information as they interact with customers. (continued...)
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