[March 02, 2011] Microsoft Launches Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail R2 at EuroShop 2011 Tweet Mar 03, 2011 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) -- Microsoft Corp. launched Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail R2 in Germany at the global retail industry trade fair, EuroShop 2011. This solution, the next iteration of Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail, offers midsize and enterprise specialty retailers point-of-sale, store management, supply chain, merchandising and financials capabilities to deliver business productivity, enterprise agility and customer service in a single, integrated retail solution. It provides visibility from point-of-sale devices to the supply chain and the business insight needed to enable a real-time response to customer demand and build customer loyalty. Microsoft is also showing Microsoft Dynamics CRM extended capabilities specific to this industry with Microsoft Dynamics partner solutions for retail. Shopping has evolved to become a truly multichannel experience for shoppers who are digital, social, mobile, enabled and informed. Faced with these digitally empowered multichannel consumers, retailers are being challenged to operate faster and smarter across their organizations to achieve customer loyalty and maintain a competitive edge. "Greater organizational agility is key to the success of today's retailer because consumer dynamics are changing rapidly," said Bill Gonzalez, general manager, Worldwide Distribution and Services Sector, Microsoft. "Our vision is to empower retailers to become connected retailers: connecting people, stores and enterprise operations and providing the business insight and connected experiences retailers need to create customer value and build customer loyalty." European retailers such as LH Dienstbekleidungs GmbH from Germany, as well as Paul Boulangeries, Au Forum du Batiment, Coviran, Kaubamaja, Groupe Aksal, New Look and Logitec, have chosen Microsoft Dynamics AX solutions. Other worldwide Microsoft Dynamics AX retail customers include Bailey Banks & Biddle, Carol's Daughter, Combined Rural Traders Ltd., J&R Electronics Inc. and China Horizon Investments Group. In a joint venture with China Post, China Horizon will build a chain of Post Mart retail stores across rural China and plans to have 15,000 self-owned community depots, or minimarts, and 200,000 franchise stores in China within five years. "Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail was the ideal choice for our business as it provides a single consolidated system that supports our international requirements in an easy-to-use and familiar format," said William Fields, chairman, China Horizon. "As we embark on a rapid growth trajectory over the next few years, we are confident that Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail will continue to scale with us." Connected Customer Centricity With Microsoft Dynamics CRM Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 was released to market Feb. 16, and delivers productivity by providing familiar, intelligent and connected experiences to users in all areas of customer interface for the retail organization. Partner solutions leverage the extended CRM platform to deliver solutions for retail such as Charisma 1:1 from Retaligent Solutions Inc., which provides a fully integrated retail customer relationship management, clienteling and loyalty solution. Built on Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail, Next Generation Retail is an integrated solution from Avanade Inc., a business technology services provider. Next Generation Retail is a solution that allows customers to access information at home or away with both desktop and mobile integration. "Next Generation Retail is focused entirely on creating a better experience for the customer, leveraging smart and integrated technology," said Matthias Hill, senior director and Dynamics AX Service Line Lead, Avanade Germany, Austria and Switzerland. "As a business technology services provider, our top priority at Avanade is to connect insight, innovation and expertise in Microsoft technologies to help customers realize results." More Information: www.microsoft.com/dynamics/retailsolutions ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]