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IBM Retail User Group News
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The IBM Retail User Group CVS Caremark Wins 2008 Retail Innovation Award
The IBM Retail User Group Bob L. Martin Awarded Lifetime Innovation Award at IBM Retail User Group Conference July 12, 2007 – Strongsville, OH – Bob Martin , Independent Business Executive and former President and CEO Wal-Mart International, serves on the Boards of Directors of several public companies and private institutions. The IBM Retail User Group awarded Mr. Martin a Lifetime Innovation award at their 30 th Annual Conference at the J. W. Marriott Resort in Las Vegas . Mr. Martin has been at the forefront of retail Innovation for over three decades and continues to lead the way in the use of technology to allow retailers to be more competitive and innovative. As a retail executive he has led the teams that found innovative ways to use technology to improve customer service, reduce IT costs and go global. Bob led the teams that changed the game of retail and defined the way it would be played. Mr. Martin is quick to point out that he did not do this alone, however he was the visionary catalyst that allowed his teams to successfully do things no one else had been able to do. Mr. Martin was one of the founders of the IBM Retail User Group in 1977. In 1973, Mr. Martin saw the value in an integrated Point of Sale system and installed the very first IBM Retail Point of Sale System when he was CIO of Dillard’s Department Store. About the IBM Retail User Group
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The IBM Retail User Group Safeway, Inc Wins 2007 Retail Innovation Award
STRONGSVILLE , OH – August 2, 2007 – The IBM Retail User Group announced that Safeway is the winner of the 2007 Retail Innovation Award. The Award was presented at the Group’s 30 th annual conference in Las Vegas on May 20-24, 2007 . The Retail Innovation Award carries special meaning because the winner is chosen by the winner’s peer group – the retail membership of the organization. The solution provider Balance Innovations was also honored with the Retail Solution Innovation Award. Innovation has been driving competitive advantage in retail for over a century; however, in these times of rapid change it has never been more important. The Safeway and Balance Innovations “VeriCash” project was created to customize and install software and hardware components at all Safeway locations, making their cash office operations at each location more efficient. The primary users are managers and bookkeepers at the store level at all Safeway stores. Additionally, executives at corporate in areas such as loss prevention, finance, audit and operations use data generated by the solution. The IBM Retail User Group board of directors congratulates Belk, CVS , and PathMark for being selected finalists’ for the 2007 “Retail Innovation Award”. About the IBM Retail User Group 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. The User Group represents an installed base of over a million 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. The IBM Retail User Group is a true independent user group owned and operated by the Retail membership Board of Directors Announces New Branding –“ IBM Retail User Group” The Board of Directors of the IBM Store Systems User Group is extremely pleased to announce that the organization’s name has been officially changed to the “IBM RETAIL User Group”. As we all know, the one constant is change. As retailers, IBM professionals, and IBM business partners, we adjust the dial every day to pilot our strategies through the latest vagaries of the change that drives us. The User Group is no different. We must maintain our relevance to our members in order to achieve the stated goals of the organization. We will soon be celebrating our 30th year…30 years and many changes. The time is right for a new look—a new brand. In keeping pace with the dynamics of the retail industry, the time is right to expand the focus of the association to incorporate and integrate all the elements of IBM retail including: Websphere, Linux, I-series, host and enterprise systems, and other solutions and services. The name of the group is changing to “IBM Retail User Group” to reflect the new focus of the retail association and the expanded education and networking environment. A Short History… As the organization grew, adding specialty, supermarket, and hospitality retailers to their ranks, their focus broadened to include the diversified POS platforms represented. It was this diversification, and the introduction of the PC that lead to the inclusion of associate members--IBM business partners, broadening to total store solutions. Today retailers, IBM, IBM business partners, and several Retail Professional groups comprise the membership. The User Group has served its purpose well for three decades under a variety of names, the longest-standing being “IBM POS Users Group”. In 2000, in recognition of the rapidly-changing store environment, we changed the name to “IBM Store Systems User Group”. And in the past 3-4 years, our annual conference agenda has reflected the broadening scope of retail, as we introduced topics like e-commerce, Linux, and RFID. The term “store” can no longer effectively define what we do. We moved a long time ago from Point-of-Sale to Point-of-Service and further to Point-of-Contact. The reality of today’s retail industry is a broader more consumer-focused, interdependent environment working together to effectively meet customer expectations. All the elements of the retail enterprise—stores, merchandising, operations, logistics, financial, e-commerce, et al—are interconnected through technology and the IS infrastructure that supports it. You will see our new branding as we migrate to this broadened scope. We are all excited to be part of the changing face of our organization and hope that you will join us in the journey. IBM Retail User Group |
