News

NRF: Microsoft to showcase connected store, digital signage platform

January 10, 2010

Microsoft Corp. will showcase new technologies and interactive solutions that help retailers create differentiated and connected experiences for value-driven consumers. Microsoft Windows Embedded will also announce and showcase a validated digital signage platform for the retail and hospitality markets. The optimized platform equips original equipment manufacturers with Windows 7 tools and technologies to help them create the next generation of digital signage applications featuring rich, connected and immersive user experiences.

Microsoft's booth, No. 836, will feature the following sections:

Connecting stores: Featuring ways to enhance the shopping experience and improve the way retailers interact with customers in the store, demonstrations will highlight multitouch self-service devices and the benefits of a flexible, secure and managed store systems platform. In this area of the booth, attendees will learn how they can deliver coordinated, consistent and engaging experiences across multiple channels and touch points for consumers.

Connecting commerce: Attendees will see in action how an interoperable technology platform based on solutions that include Microsoft Commerce Server 2009 and the latest in digital marketing solutions can assist retailers in creating more effective and relevant digital experiences.

Connecting the enterprise: Retailers can help increase productivity and improve operational efficiencies in the back office with technologies that are designed to support tighter store-to-headquarters collaboration and enterprise business intelligence. Demonstrations will showcase the latest in Microsoft business intelligence (BI) technologies and partner solutions designed to drive greater efficiencies and use, operational BI, and standards-based BI solutions for accelerated implementation.

Connecting retail: A preview of the soon-to-be released Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail solution will showcase powerful end-to-end capabilities that help connect consumer retail experiences with stores, the retail enterprise and e-commerce, gaining critical insight into customer behavior and how it can be applied to optimize the entire chain of operations - from the warehouse to point of sale. Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail can help retail employees be more productive, gain better insight and control of key business processes, and create lasting connections with customers and suppliers, all with a single-vendor solution and the familiar Microsoft application interface.

Microsoft executives will lead the following education sessions in NRF's BIG!deas Boulevard.

-- Jan. 11, 10:45 a.m., 3D05: "Discover the Power and Innovation of the Bing Maps Platform," Tim Henderson, Microsoft

-- Jan. 11, 3:45 p.m., 3D05: "Innovating in Retail with the Windows 7 Advantage," Ilya Bukshteyn, Windows Embedded, Microsoft

-- Jan. 12, 11:30 a.m., 3D08: "Digital Marketing and eCommerce: The Next Big Retail Opportunity," Matt Muta and Javed Sikander, Microsoft

-- Jan. 12, 1 p.m., 3D08: "Enabling Retailers to Win With Microsoft Dynamics," Dilip Popat and Michael Griffiths, Microsoft Dynamics Retail, Microsoft

-- Jan. 12, 1:45 p.m., 3D04: "Developing a Culture of Performance in Retail," Bruno Aziza at Microsoft and Henrik Amsinck at The LEGO Group Microsoft will demonstrate digital consumer-facing technologies that connect to retailers' back-office customer relationship management and enterprise resource planning systems, offering a new way of selling fashion and luxury goods to consumers by combining interaction with emotion. Microsoft will demonstrate this at NRF in the Style Star Lounge, booth No. 100.