IBM Retail User Group Press Releases
Press Release
IBM Retail User Group Holds Most-Successful-Ever Conference Over 400 participants attest to its networking and retail education benefits
June 21, 2011– Strongsville, OH –The IBM Retail User Group, retail’s leading association of U.S. and international IBM retail systems users, and IBM retail solution providers today reported the success of its 34th annual conference held in Orlando, FL on May 15-18, 2011. The conference, attended by more than 400 retailers, IBM solution providers and IBM’s retail experts delivered the latest education and information on mobile solutions and challenges facing retailing focused on the theme, “Tools to Captivate the Connected Customer.” The conference also introduced a working IRUG mobile application to help attendees maximize their experiences at the event. ““This year’s conference proved to be one of the most diverse and robust conferences yet, with a variety of compelling key note presentations and comprehensive elective sessions all focused on solutions and tools to engage the increasingly mobile and tech savvy customer of the 21st century,” said Michael Sachar, President, IBM Retail User Group. “In addition, the opportunity for attendees to network with key retail executives and their peers made this conference the best educational and networking retail event of 2011.” This view was shared by attendees – Heidi Happy a retail attendee from BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. puts it this way …“of all the conferences I attend, IRUG provides the education, networking and open environment to develop peer relationships essentially important to myself and BJ’s. IRUG provides a friendly atmosphere conducive for the sharing of experiences and ideas with other retailers and associate members who focus on solving common business problems.” The annual conference brought together an impressive group of retail professionals and featured key note presentations by leading retailers including: · James Canton, Ph.D. Futurist, Author and Visionary Business Advisor –“Managing Extreme Change” · Darrell Sandefur, Technology Architect, The Kroger Co – “The Importance of Mobility” · Leo Suarez, Vice President, Marketing, IBM Retail Store Solutions – “IBM’s Retail Strategy” · Andrew B. Morris, CEO & Founder, Morris Advisors, Inc. – “The Mobilized Merchant” · Richard E. Mader, President of Mader International Consulting (MIC), Executive Director, ARTS – “How Retailers Can Shape their Customers’ Shopping Experience” · · Daniel L. Hopping, President and CEO, Next Retail Group, Inc. – “The Future of Consumer Culture” In addition to main tent presentations, the conference offered two super sessions and six deep dive sessions on a variety of topics as well as 26 elective sessions. Below is a sampling of the topics covered at this year’s conference: Super Sessions 1. Customer Connectivity and Mobile Information Management are Re-shaping the Retail Industry: – Moderated by Frank Riso Sr. Director Industry Solutions Group - Retail & Hospitality, Motorola Solutions, Inc. and a panel including: Darrell Sandefur, Technology Architect, The Kroger Co - Ravi Bagal, Vice President & Global Managing Director Retail and Distribution, Verizon - Richard Mader, Executive Director, ARTS - Andrew B. Morris, CEO & Founder, Morris Advisors, Inc. and Matthew Donegan-Ryan, SVP of Sales & Marketing, CrowdCompass
A total of thirty four Elective Sessions were presented by Retail Members, Associate Members, and IBM, addressing a large spectrum of topics of interest to the retail and associates membership. Topics by retail and associate members included mobility sessions on payment, marketing and strategy, store infrastructures, digital couponing, outsourcing, scanning technologies and standards. IBM topics included modular self checkout, loss prevention, dynamic store merchandising, loyalty solutions, research in retail, smarter consumer research, smarter checkout and more.
Birds of a Feather sessions - Lunch & Learn: In addition to the standard presentations “Birds of a Feather” sessions were held during a lunch, Retailers and associates gathered at pre assigned tables for informal discussions relating to pre-determined topics. A traditional favorite of the group, 2011 topics included mobility strategies, social media, cloud computing, metrics and analysis, virtualization and security. Press Release
Successful 33rd Annual Conference for IBM Retail User Group Increased attendance attests to its networking and retail education benefits
May 25, 2010 – Strongsville, OH –The IBM Retail User Group, retail’s leading association of U.S. and international retail systems users, and retail solution providers today reported the success of its 33rd annual conference, held in San Antonio, TX on April 25-28 2010. The conference, attended by more than 400 retailers, solution providers and IBM retail experts delivered the latest education and information on solutions and challenges facing retailing focused on the theme, “revitalizing the customer experience.” “This year’s conference proved to be one of the most diverse and robust conferences yet, with a variety of compelling key note presentations and comprehensive elective sessions all focused on the theme of revitalizing the customer experience,” said Kelly Hewitt, President, IBM Retail User Group. “In addition, the opportunity for attendees to network with key retail executives and their peers makes this conference a not-to-be missed retail event.” The annual conference brought together an impressive group of retail professionals and featured key note presentations by leading retailers including: · Ron Ferri, Business Process Consultant - Retail Operations, Giant Eagle, Inc. · Jeff Roster, VP, Industry, Market Strategies, Retail, Gartner, Inc. · Brenda Cassas, Director of Sales & Use Tax, Michaels Stores, Inc. · Joerg Schuepbach, Head of Maintenance and Support of gmPOSsystems, Migros · Jason Todd and Tim Webb, Technical Experts, Wal-Mart · Lou Sterzenbach, Director of Applications, Pier 1 Imports · Chris Schwanz, Program Manager, International Dairy Queen In addition to main tent presentations, the conference offered two super sessions and six deep dive sessions on a variety of topics as well as 26 elective sessions. Below is a sampling of the topics covered at this year’s conference: Super Sessions 1. Mobile Retail Management - information anywhere, anytime – a super session moderated by Frank Riso from Motorola and a panel including Sandeep Bhanote, Global Bay Mobile, Kelly Hewitt, Stage Stores, Inc., Dan Hopping, Next Retail Group, Jim Nadler, aferBot, Inc. and Jeff Roster, Gartner Group. 2. Future of Checkout – a super session moderated by Norma Wolcott from IBM Retail Store Solutions and a panel including Tadd Wilson and Bill Noonan from IBM plus Jason Todd and Tim Webb from Wal-Mart, Inc. Deep-Dive Sessions “Shootout at the OS Corral” - panel discussion focused on operating environments for stores — Windows, Linux, 4690, and even DOS. “Coupon Hoedown” - explored the current technology of coupons used in today’s retail environments — including paper, electronic, mobile, in-store and manufacture coupons — as well as the future of coupon technology, from scanning coupons on mobile phones to offering in-store promotions and e-commerce venues. “Reach for the Clouds, Partner” – an in-depth look at how you can increase customer satisfaction at lower costs but implementing Cloud in a SOA infrastructure. “Texas Dust Bowl or Fresh Profitable Perishable” – discussion focused on how perishables play a large role in where the consumers will shop. “WIC Electronic Benefit Transfer – Are you ready for national expansion” – a detailed outlook on WIC EBT to better understand federal plans to spur POS readiness, and learn about WIC EBT Operating Rules. Elective Sessions Twenty six Elective Sessions, presented by Retail Members, Associate Members, and IBM, covered a large spectrum of topics of interest to the retail and associates membership including mobile shopping, payment strategies to counter fraud, self checkout, how ROI and TCO can help quantify business value of store technology, loss prevention solutions from IBM, building a dynamic infrastructure operating environment, PCI compliance issues, retail sales tax automation, the future of point of sale and many more. The sessions addressed the following tracks: Architecture/Infrastructure - Customer Service - Customer Touch Points - Store Operations / Solutions - Trends / Management. About the IBM Retail User Group The IBM Retail Users Group has, for over thirty years, provided a platform for hundreds of retailers, IBM and IBM Business Partners to advance retail systems technology. One of the last of the “true” User Groups, it is owned and run by the representatives of over 300 Retail companies that make up it’s membership. The group focuses on advancing the state of the art of retail technology for all aspects of the retail enterprise. It is an independently-run, mutual benefit organization of IBM store system users, and providers of retail solution products and services. The 34th Annual Conference of the IBM Retail User Group will be May 15 - 18, 2011 at the Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate in Orlando, FL – be sure to mark your calendar and plan to be there for this must attend annual retail event. For more information, please visit www.ibmretailug.org or contact: Deb Jones, VP Administration, (440) 238-5880, or e-mail issug@roadrunner.com Press Release Grocery Outlet and 4690World, LLC
Press Release IBM Retail User Group Hosts Successful 32nd Annual Conference June 11, 2009 – Strongsville, OH –The IBM Retail User Group, retail's leading association of U.S. and international retail systems users, and retail solution providers today reported the success of its 32nd annual conference, held in Las Vegas, NV on May 17-20, 2009. The conference, attended by more than 360 retailers, solution providers and IBM retail experts delivered the latest education and information on solutions and challenges facing the retail industry. One of the key benefits, based on attendee feedback, was the opportunity to network with key retail executives and their peers, which makes this conference unique among retail events and also drives membership in the group, an independently run organization providing a partnership platform to advance retail solutions and to share information, experiences and best practices. "We believe this year's conference addressed the key issues that all retailers are facing in these challenging economic times," said Kelly Hewitt, President, IBM Retail User Group. "Our conference theme, SHARE-LEARN-SUCCEED, Turning Challenges into Wins delivered the latest ideas, solutions and IT strategies inside and outside the walls of the store to retail executives and solution providers around the world." The annual event brought together an impressive group of retail professionals to discuss ideas, trends, and technology shaping the future of retail. The conference, with an agenda developed by and for the retailers, featured presentations by leading retail and business professionals including Dr. Robert Genetski, a prominent economist and financial researcher, Chris Schroeder, EVP of Lowe's Home Improvement, who gave his insights on information security and a main tent panel with Joe Rosolanko from Toys R Us and Marc Windahl from Scheels, Inc. who discussed initiatives their companies are employing today to adjust to the current economic downturn. As part of the panel, Leon Milnes from IBM offered his insights into "green" initiatives retailers are implementing now that can help both the environment and their companies. Richard Mader, Executive Director, ARTS, John Rohland, AVP, Sales Operations Solutions, BJ's Wholesale Club, Michael Sachar, Director POS, Bealls Department Stores and Kelly Hewitt, Vice President, Stage Stores, Inc. also spoke at the conference. New for 2009 were "super sessions", which offered the opportunity to share in-depth information in a panel-discussion format comprising of retailers, industry experts, business associates and IBM professionals on four major topics: "More With Less" In today's economic and business climate, this is not merely a best practice but a matter of survival. "Smarter Store Operations: The Future of Checkout" "Checkout" from stationary to mobile POS, from front of store to multi channel, from assisted to DIY, from barcodes to RFID, the checkout process can be achieved in radical new ways. "PCI and Retail Data Security" Congratulations, you've passed your PCI audit. Now what are you going to do to keep your data secure? "Virtualization Considerations for Retailers" Retailers are looking more closely than ever before at new ways of delivering IT business applications, including on-demand computing, SOA, and "cloud" or "lean" architectures. Speakers delivered informative and relative presentations providing insight and meaningful experiences addressing today's challenges. Speakers and presenters were on hand from Godiva Chocolatier, Inc, Pier 1 Imports, Safeway, Inc, IT Sure, InVision Software, Inc, IBM Corporation, Bealls Department Stores, Lowe's, SofTechnics, Inc, Motorola, AirDefense, Inc, Verisign, Microsoft, INX and RSR Research LLC and Next Retail Group. Grocery Outlet was announced as the winner of the 2009 Retail Innovation Award during a special awards ceremony at the conference. This award carries special meaning because the winner is chosen by the winner's peer group - the retail membership of the organization. The innovative solution provider, 4690World, was also honored with the Retail Solution Innovation Award. KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Press Release CVS Caremark Wins 2008 Retail Innovation Award 
About the IBM Retail User Group: The IBM Retail User Group has, for thirty one years, provided a platform for hundreds of Retailers, IBM and IBM business partners to advance retail technology. Jointly, the group advanced the development of IBM POS and retail solutions to the resolution of common business problems and established a working partnership for mutual benefit. The representations include Press Release
IBM Retail User Group 31st Annual Conference
Delivers on All Expectations July 8, 2008 – Strongsville, OH – The IBM Retail User Group, the retail industry’s leading association of U.S. and international IBM retail systems users, and business partners today reported on the success of its 31st annual conference, held in Orlando, FL on May 18-21, 2008. Based on attendee feedback, the conference exceeded expectations particularly in areas of education, networking and information, which is the main objective of the annual conference. "We believe that we addressed the key issues that all of us are facing in the competitive world of retail," said Kelly Hewitt, President of the IBM Retail User Group. "Our theme of "get connected, stay connected" really resonated this year with the conference delivering the latest ideas, solutions and IT strategies inside and outside the walls of the store to retail executives and IBM solution partners around the world." The annual event brought together retailers, and IBM solution partners to discuss ideas, trends, and the technology shaping the future of retail solutions. The recent expansion of the association’s focus beyond the four walls of the store brought participation from all areas of retail management. Over 350 participants learned from their peers and networked with some of the most influential names in the retailing industry. The conference, with an agenda developed by and for the retailers, featured presentations by prominent retailers including Office Depot, CVS, Bloom Grocery, Giant Eagle and Bob Evans restaurants. .Attendees also got to hear from Irish Senator Feargal Quinn, founder of Dublin based Superquinn Markets about the challenge of providing customer service in the 21st century. Jim Stickley, co-founder of TraceSecurity offered insights into the important issue of PCI DSS security. In addition, 37 elective sessions were offered by retail members, IBM and their retail solution partners. The sessions addressed Retail Green Initiatives, Loss Prevention, Mobile Commerce, POS Functionality, Front-End Efficiencies, The Next Wave of Self Service Innovations, PCI Compliance, and many more. Numerous "Birds of a Feather" and roundtable sessions were available which provided lively discussions among attendees on some of the more pressing and pertinent issues facing retailers today.
Innovation and technology remains a key driver of the powerful trends that are shaping the way the consumer shops and will be served in the future. To recognize technology innovation leaders, the User Group established the "IBM Retail User Group – Innovation Award" in 2007. This year’s winner was, CVS/Caremark; "PhotoTouch, In-store Photo System", and received the 2008 award at a ceremony during this year’s conference.
About the IBM Retail User Group: The IBM Retail User Group has, for thirty one years, provided a platform for hundreds of Retailers, IBM and IBM business partners to advance retail technology. Jointly, the group advanced the development of IBM POS and retail solutions to the resolution of common business problems and established a working partnership for mutual benefit. The representations includes all segments of the retail industry including Department Stores, Specialty Stores, Grocery, Drug, Food Service, Hospitality and many others. The User Group, a mutual benefit organization of IBM retail solutions users; owned and operated by the retail member companies is a forum for the open exchange of ideas and innovation without the pressures of sales and marketing. To learn more about the IBM Retail User Group and how to become a member, please visit http://www.ibmretailug.org. Contact: Deb Jones, VP Administration (440) 238-5880 issug@roadrunner.com Press Release The IBM Retail User Group Bob L Martin to Speak on ‘Chasing Change’ at IBM Retail User Group Conference
May 20 to 23. Mr. Martin was one of the founders of the group in 1977. In 1973 Mr. Martin 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 The IBM Retail User Group Expands scope beyond the store to include all aspects of retail
About the IBM Retail User Group The IBM Retail User Group (formerly the IBM Store Systems User Group) has, for 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. To learn more about the IBM Retail User Group and how to become a member, please visit http://www.ibmretailug.org. email: issug@roadrunner.com IBM Retail User Group |