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About the IBM Retail
User Group
Testimonials |
The IBM Retail User Group has, for over thirty years
provided a platform for hundreds of Retailers, IBM and IBM business
partners to advance store systems technology. Jointly, the group
advanced the development of IBM POS and stores systems solutions to
common business problems and establishes a working partnership for
mutual benefit .
INTRODUCTION
For over three decades the association
has been providing a platform for networking, and the sharing of
information between IBM Retail Systems professionals, IBM business
partners and member retailers. The User Group represents an
installed base of tens of thousands of IBM POS terminals
and other in-store systems. This representation includes all
segments of the retail industry including Department Stores,
Specialty Stores, Mass Merchandisers, Drug, Food Service,
Hospitality and many others. The User Group, is a mutual benefit
organization of IBM store system users, and providers of support
products and services.
HISTORY
The user group was founded in 1976 for the sole purpose of
focusing IBM, and user resources on solving common problems
associated with first generation IBM point of sale equipment. The
meetings, held in the Spring and Fall were devoted to the collection
of new problems, reporting and sharing resolution, maintaining an
open incident log. The format was somewhat negative with some
reluctance on IBM’s part to actively support participation. However,
those early pioneers, both the retailers and IBM, made great strides
toward moving the technology forward and a real partnership
developed between IBM and the user group. Those early retail users,
B. Altmans, Higbees, Riches, Gottschalks, Dillards, Target, and
others along with IBM progressed to a format that was sharing,
educational and informative.
MEETING INDUSTRY
TRENDS
With the advancement of programmable POS and the growing personal
computer phenomenon in retailing as well as accompanying software,
hardware peripheral devices and store applications the scope of the
User group broadened. IBM business partners were providing
application of this new technology and attention to total store
solutions evolved. IBM Business Partners, software and maintenance
companies, OEM manufactures, and dealers now comprise a large
portion of the membership. These associate members demonstrate their
solutions, prepare industry relevant presentations and interact with
the User Group at the annual conference. The annual conference is
held in May. The agenda, is developed by the membership and includes
topics such as new IBM product announcements, presentations by the
retail membership on hardware and software solutions/experiences,
brainstorm sessions, keynote addresses by industry leaders, and
numerous breakout sessions relating to key industry issues, new
retail industry technologies and solutions. The conference provides
a forum for sharing of ideas and solutions, as well as establishment
of an environment conducive to networking. IBM is well represented
at the meeting, providing support and informative input. The User
Group is able to directly influence IBM in the development of
solutions and provide feedback on new products and services. In
addition to the annual conference the group maintains a web site, a
database of current members, a current issues list, a listing of
solutions providers, and an equipment exchange. A news letter is
published three times a year keeping members informed between
meetings with article contributions from Users, IBM and Business
Partners. Your membership in the IBM Retail User Group will greatly
benefit you, and your organization by keeping you abreast of, and
focused on innovative store systems technology and solutions
relating to the IBM Retail environment. It will also allow you
establish valuable industry contacts as well as influence system
providors through a united user base. We invite you to complete the
attached membership application form and return it today, and make
plans to join us next May!
Read what some of our Members have to say about
joining the group!
IBM Retail User Group
8421 Lorraine Drive
Strongsville, OH 44149
Phone: (440) 238-5880 Fax: (440)
238-6698
email: issug@roadrunner.com
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