When online shopping first became viable in the mid-1990s, everyone had predictions of what would happen to the retail industry. But with innovations in technology and demographic shifts, we now see that no one could’ve foreseen the current landscape. Here are the major retail trends – the good and not-so good: Shop online, get it at the store Not too long ago, it was a foregone conclusion that the Internet would kill off most brick…  MORE

When you spend your days working on telecom and technology projects, you always have to keep one eye on the future. You have to prepare. Surprises aren’t good for us or our clients. In that light we decided to look ahead to 2021 and provide our thoughts about what will drive the industry. 20121 may be two years away, but for us it’s right around the corner. Create instead of manage Coming soon, telecoms will…  MORE

In just a few years, digital transformation has shifted from a visionary idea to a real-world imperative. Today, any organization that takes itself seriously is either in the implementation phase, or has a digital implementation on the upcoming agenda. The next two to three years will be a critical for leaders shifting from planning to actual implementation. For the most part, executives understand the priority of digital technology – it’s no longer a tactic but the…  MORE

In the age of the Internet and digital technology, we all experience how arcane terms quickly become understood by the masses. “Omnichannel” is one of them – at least for those in the world of retail. From a simplified perspective, it’s when a company’s online and offline business processes are perfectly synched, providing customers with the same experience no matter how they shop. But while the benefits of omnichannel are clear, many retailers haven’t fully…  MORE

Retailers no longer compete solely on persuading people to walk into their stores. Today, they also battle it out based on their technical wizardry. Specifically, the technology that creates engaging experiences while also making it easier to buy. Here are some of today’s best examples: Amazon Go Amazon has fulfilled every shopper’s dream: No more waiting in lines. At Amazon Go you grab what you need and walk out of the store, all with payment…  MORE

In a world of increasing acronyms and constant predictions, it’s easy to become skeptical about the latest technology. That’s how many felt about Software-Defined Networking (SDN) just a few years ago. The tide, of course, turned when industries realized how SDN can reduce costs and boost revenue streams. And even though SDN is being deployed in data centers and enterprises around the world, the cream is still rising to the top. IDC predicts the SDN…  MORE

There’s no question that 21st century retail success depends on technical advancement. The companies that figure how to best implement artificial intelligence, apps, machine learning, and other technologies will most likely lead the pack. But it turns out this can be a one-sided relationship. Consumers want more – in this case, more humanity. That’s the overwhelming finding from a PwC survey of 15,000 consumers. In the U.S, 82% of consumers want more human interactions while…  MORE

From the neon sign to the shopping cart to the electronic cash register, retail growth has always been tied to technology. Only time will tell about what truly benefits the sector, but here are some thoughts about what might happen in the next few years for retail companies. Look out for Instagram For years, Amazon has not only dominated ecommerce and mobile shopping, they seem to separate from the pack more and more. But Instagram…  MORE