IBM helps retailers get smarter about commerce

ARMONK, N.Y.-- IBM has announced new software and the creation a new consulting practice dedicated to the emerging category of "smarter commerce," which is focused on helping companies swiftly adapt to rising customer demands in today's digitally transformed marketplace.



IBM said that through its smarter commerce consulting practice it will provide new software and services offerings, supported by global sales and marketing resources, will address the spectrum of enterprise commerce activities -- new ways to buy, sell and secure greater customer loyalty in the era of mobile and social networks.

Among the software and services available from IBM are:

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  New cloud analytics software that enables companies to monitor their brands presence in real-time through social media channels to better assess the effectiveness of new services and product offerings, fine tune marketing campaigns and create sales initiatives in real-time.

  
  


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  Software that automates a company's ability to design and deliver a personalized shopping experience, campaigns and promotions on new services and products online, or through mobile devices.

  
  


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  An "IBM University" that will provide educational resources for sellers and partners to build the job skills required for the smarter commerce marketplace.

  
  

"It's a buyer's world now," said Craig Hayman, general manager, IBM Industry Solutions. "Businesses require a tighter and highly responsive network of suppliers and partners to ensure they deliver the right product or service at the right price, time and place. The key to business success in this unfolding environment is predicting trends and automating market responses in advance to eliminate the gaps between buy and sell, supply and demand."