IBM Rolls Out Retail Analytics

Computer giant IBM has unveiled a portfolio of solutions designed to help retailers analyze data and apply it to business processes.

The firm says that by providing a single view of customer, financial product, and vendor data, its new approach will enable retailers to both coordinate planning and measurement and respond to changing customer and business needs.

Its dedicated Retail Performance Analytics Services (RPAS) practice will deliver this portfolio, which has been designed to address challenges such as customer loyalty, price optimization, vendor performance, store planning and more.

RPA combines the IBM Cognos portfolio of business intelligence and performance management software with industry consulting and systems integration expertise. This allows retailers to access tools that enable retail-specific data modelling, business performance analysis, 'what-if' forecasting, and key performance indicator (KPI) metrics management.

'The current economic environment is driving the growth and demand of effective business intelligence,' said Fred Balboni, Global Retail Industry Leader and Partner, IBM Global Business Services. 'Retailers who leverage the current situation to advance their analytical capabilities will not only weather the current crisis better but they will also be positioned for a strong competitive advantage in the future.'

The RPAS practice will be managed by leaders in the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

Web site: www.ibm.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.