Connected Experiences for Retail: Roadmap At Microsoft, the approach we offer retail customers is not focused on just one solution, but rather on a progression of solutions that address infrastructure, facilitate multichannel shopping, and enable self-service purchases. This approach is based on the Connected Experiences for Retail vision and allows our retail customers to move their business forward in the most effective way. The sequence starts with deploying the right enabling technologies, so retailers can add new experiences and new capabilities in an easier, more manageable, and more cost-effective way.
Wherever you may be on the roadmap today, Microsoft and its partners have a full range of solutions designed to move you to the next level of Connected Experiences for Retail.
Building the base At the infrastructure level, retailers address underlying issues such as difficulties with legacy systems. At this level, Microsoft solutions include System Center, Windows-Embedded for Point of Service, SharePoint products and technologies, and Commerce Server.
Connecting Commerce Connecting Enterprise Connecting Stores E-commerce (business to consumer) Traditional loyalty Business intelligence (operational reporting) Collaboration (store e-mail) Personal shopper Systems management for stores Stores application architecture Store point-of-sale platform Store server and database platform Store client platform
Enabling multichannel shoppers Some of the benefits of the Connecting Stores solutions are enabled in this phase, such as pervasive retailing, connected retailing, self-service, and multichannel retailing. Retailers can begin to reach customers across a range of channels and devices, such as enabling customers to shop online and then pick up their purchases at the store. Retailers can understand useful metrics such as lifetime customer value across channels and gain a broader and enhanced knowledge of customer shopping experiences.
Connecting Commerce Connecting Enterprise Connecting Stores E-Commerce (multichannel) Automotive experience Map (local search) experience Digital loyalty Business intelligence (share of wallet) Collaboration (store x-channel portal) Mobile Hot Spot experience Mobile application architecture Hot Spot infrastructure Hosting environment and/or partner
Enabling self-service shoppers In the next phase, Connected Experiences for Retail solutions help retailers take advantage of the trend toward self-service shopping, which is driven in large part by ready access to mobile information and point of sale. Retailers can also use real-time analytics and a multichannel view of the customer to build loyalty programs.
Connecting Commerce Connecting Enterprise Connecting Stores E-Commerce(kiosk) Digital signage Search relevancy (SEO) Store pick-up and drop-ship X-channel loyalty Business intelligence (x-channel "weblog") Collaboration (consumer portal) Virtual shopping list Information kiosks Self checkout and scan Service Oriented Architecture application (cross-channel) Price check station Tap and go payment
Enabling digital shoppers The final phase represents the ultimate vision for a digital retailer. In this phase, the retailer is fully digitized, with digital commerce, merchandising, and storefronts. Inventory is virtualized, and retailers provide specific offers based on a deep and meaningful understanding of customer needs. The brand is truly differentiated as powerful customer experiences become the norm in all aspects of the digital lifestyle.
Connecting Commerce Connecting Enterprise Connecting Stores E-Commerce (conversion commerce) Syndicated inventory Made to order Ad syndication Electronic deals Real-time promotions Business intelligence (conversion) Collaboration (PLM^2) Collaboration (virtual reality) Software + Services application architecture Media platform for stores