Microsoft solutions for Connecting Stores

Store operations

Reduce costs and improve operational efficiencies by automating back-of-the-house functions such as order and inventory management, workforce management, warehouse management, store performance, and others.

Virtualization

Consolidate servers and reduce costs while simplifying deployments and upgrades.

Reducing the cost of store operations

Retailers want employees to spend their time serving customers, not troubleshooting IT systems. In addition, stores often lack staff with the IT skills needed to solve operational problems. But it can be difficult and costly to provide remote IT support. Retailers need a common management solution for efficiently deploying and managing in-store information technology.

Geographically distributed organizations

Retailers need solutions to ensure that communication and information flow between people, systems, stores, and headquarters.

Strengthening in-store security

With new ways for employees and customers to access information continually emerging, it is becoming increasingly difficult to stay on top of the latest security practices. In addition, many retailers have focused on complying with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, while other aspects of security have inadvertently received less attention.

More efficient store operations

Our solutions improve decision making by providing people with ready access to the business insight they need to make more effective, timely decisions.

The result is more effective staff and workload management, cost savings, increased employee productivity and morale, improved security, and improved customer satisfaction.

Self-service technology

Implement systems for self-service checkout, personal shopping assistants, price checkers, kiosks, and other customer-centric devices.

Mobility solutions

Create whole new sales and service scenarios, and expand the usefulness of point-of-service devices beyond inventory tracking and tendering. Provide employees on the selling floor with comprehensive access to information.

Creating uniquely compelling customer experiences

As new ways of transacting have been introduced to stores, customers' expectations have changed. Retailers today are focused on creating differentiating experiences that meet customer demand for new ways of transacting and quick access to information in the store.

Enhanced customer experience

Microsoft solutions for Connecting Stores help retailers differentiate themselves by providing customer experiences that offer greater convenience and personalized service.

Point-of-service (POS) platform

Provide store staff with the flexibility and access they need to meet customer demands. No longer limit the operation to the traditional cash register. Use POS devices to provide a large range of applications and form factors.

Mobility solutions

Improve employee productivity while offering enhanced consumer experiences.

Improving customer service

Today's retailers need to provide associates with easy-to-use tools that improve the way they interact with customers. Efficient store systems should free up management from routine tasks and enable them to focus on providing great customer service.

Increased employee productivity

Microsoft solutions, such as Windows Embedded POSReady platform for POS devices, offer retailers real-time views of tactical operations, enabling instant communication and collaboration between the store and corporate offices and better access to information for store associates. Automated stock monitoring and alerting enable retailers to better allocate employee resources. And since these solutions extend the functionality of familiar tools that employees use every day, training cycle times are reduced.

Store device management

Use store infrastructure systems to help reduce the cost of store operations by providing a dynamic foundation for the solutions deployed in the store, including store security, store infrastructure management, and server consolidation.

Optimizing inventory

With a geographically distributed infrastructure, managers often lack the comprehensive view of inventory metrics needed to make good decisions-for instance, to create effective merchandise layouts. Stock that is never put on the sales floor will result in lost revenue unless management is made aware of the problem.

Retailers are also pressured to reduce costs in an "always open" store environment. They need the agility and flexibility to react to fast-moving trends and local market demand.

Achieving better inventory utilization

Microsoft solutions help retailers improve inventory visibility and maintain better stock levels through item velocity monitoring and alerting. Store managers and staff are empowered to act quickly to optimize inventories to meet local customer demands. And when inventory is not available in a given store, retailers still have the flexibility to make the sale by offering options such as home delivery.