RSR Research, an analyst firm providing market intelligence on retail technology trends, announces the results of its latest research report, "Using Business Intelligence to Help Control Outcomes in an Uncontrollable World," developed in partnership with the National Retail Federation. The research finds that retailers are challenged to respond quickly to sudden shifts in demand, and increasingly turn to business intelligence tools to help. Retail Winners in particular, are pressed to get actionable information to merchants faster than ever, so they can react to continued differences between forecast and actual demand.
Miami, FL (PRWEB) November 18, 2009 -- RSR’s newest research study, “Using Business Intelligence to Help Control Outcomes in an Uncontrollable World,” published in partnership with the National Retail Federation and sponsored by SAP, finds the majority of retailers focused on reacting quickly to constant changes in demand while pleasing existing customers using near-real-time business intelligence tools.
The report is based on an online survey of seventy-eight retailers conducted between July and October of 2009. It can be downloaded at http://www.retailsystemsresearch.com/_document/summary/1021.
“Near-real-time BI can help create effective promotions that drive higher average transaction value, increase the productivity of existing customers and improve return on inventory investment,” said Brian Kilcourse, Managing Partner at RSR and co-author of the report. “The data shows it improves retailer ability to react to sudden changes across the ecosystem and within the enterprise as well as improve internal IT responsiveness.”
“Winning retailers have moved beyond the question of whether or not real-time BI has value to the nuts and bolts of how to get actionable information out of their operational systems and into the hands of those who need it most,” said Paula Rosenblum, also Managing Partner and co-author of the report. “Laggards are still debating the ROI case. You could say they’re fiddling while Rome burns.”
While the research reveals broad usage of critical foundation elements such as high-speed digital networks, continuous data feeds from operational systems to centralized data warehouse, and integration middleware between those systems, retailers still have inadequate and overcomplicated delivery mechanisms for real-time business intelligence. This may limit the value of their efforts.
RSR’s new study, "Using Business Intelligence to Help Control Outcomes in an Uncontrollable World" explores the challenges, opportunities and technology enablers used to help retailers cope with today’s unpredictable demand cycles.
To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, click here or paste the following into your browser:
http://www.retailsystemsresearch.com/_document/summary/1021
About Retail Systems Research
Retail Systems Research (“RSR”) is the only research company run by retailers for the retail industry. RSR provides insight into business and technology challenges facing the extended retail industry, and thought leadership and advice on navigating these challenges for specific companies and the industry at large. To learn more about RSR, visit www.rsrresearch.com.
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