Retail and Hospitality

Dynamics AX 2012 for Retail out soon

16 January 2012

The new end-to-end enterprise resource planning solution designed specifically for retailers, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 for Retail, is due to be released at the beginning of February this year. The announcement was made at the National Retail Federation’s annual conference today.

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 for Retail will provide mid-size and enterprise retailers with an end-to-end solution that includes cross-channel capabilities, social and mobile commerce, enriched POS and powerful enhancements for merchandising. These capabilities are designed to help retailers deliver uniquely consistent, convenient and personalised experiences for shoppers.

Mattress Firm is the largest mattress retailer in the US and an early adopter of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 for Retail. The company needed a solution to support aggressive growth plans while empowering store and company associates who are passionate about offering best-in-class customer shopping experiences.

“We chose Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 for Retail because it provides us with a scalable platform to support our future growth and a differentiated customer and sales associate experience at the point of sale,” said Patty Wade, chief information officer and vice president of Strategy and Technology, Mattress Firm. “Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 for Retail gives us what other solutions could not – ease of use and simplicity in operations, coupled with the ability to scale and reliably deliver on our brand promise.”

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 for Retail helps retailers do the following:

• Connect to customers. Multichannel capabilities enable customers to buy, pick up, return or replace items on their terms. Support for social and mobile commerce means retailers can offer promotions, discounts or coupons targeted to marketplaces or social networks – creating critical new opportunities for customer engagement
• Empower employees. Orders can be created and managed at the POS, offering the sales associate increasing amounts of valuable face-to-face time with customers. Employees can also make highly accurate, timely and consistent decisions because they are armed with relevant details delivered through enhanced Role Centers, dashboards that deliver a succinct set of information relevant to each individual user
• Execute with insight. Integrated multi-channel management allows complete insight to help retailers be proactive in anticipating trends. In addition, powerful merchandising functionality puts control into the retailers’ hands with unlimited categories and hierarchies possible for assortment and replenishment to best meet customer demand accurately and efficiently.

Retailers worldwide, including AkzoNobel Decorative Paints, Ashley Furniture Industries, DavidsTea, Kwit-Fit Nederland Groep, Malabar Gold, Mattress Firm, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Simon Pearce and Turisme de Barcelona, have chosen Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail during the past year.

Global partners are also a core part of the retail business solution. “Enterprise customers require core retail data and advanced tools to leverage and create value through analytics,” said Janet Hoffmann, managing director of Accenture’s Retail practice. “Accenture, in close collaboration with global Microsoft specialists Avanade, is developing and delivering solutions built on Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 for Retail, which enable clients to connect better with their customers.”

“Today’s retail paradigm puts increased pressure on retailers to build lasting customer loyalty by keeping up with fast-moving trends and exceeding shopper expectations,” said Michael Griffiths, global product director of retail, Microsoft Business Solutions. “Microsoft is all in when it comes to retail – from our stores and consumer devices to the customers already running Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail in more than 30 countries. We are taking that investment to the next level with Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 for Retail.”

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 for Retail will be available in more than 25 countries starting 1 February 2012. You can find out more about the solution in the upcoming issue of Speak due out later this month.

Add a comment