The Gap: System and process errors disrupt shopping experience
As author of the Beyond IT Failures blog, I am no stranger to problems that cause endless hassle to consumers, although usually I describe situations that happen to others. Today, however, I can offer a first-hand account of system errors at clothing retailer, Gap Inc., which owns major brands Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime, […]
Zara and Beyond: Does Your Supply Chain Support Modern Slavery? (Part 1)
When we think of slavery, we usually think about the term historically. African Americans were enslaved in America, Jews were enslaved by Pharaoh, so and so forth — essential history lessons that should inform modern thinking, but som…
Serendipity Happens… to Deliver Million$
As the world turns… social, expect to be surprised by the fruits of serendipity. When large workforces embrace working socially, or as I love to call it – in “socialworking” mode, they discover new ways of solving problems and creating opportunities. Insights are revealed in the fluid web of connections and sharing. We’ve seen a […]
Big Data and the New Face of Commerce
Here’s a simple task, let’s say you have an antique that you want to sell on eBay and you need to figure out what it’s worth, what would you do? I’ve sold a few things on eBay and to work…
Understanding Lumber Liquidators’ ERP failure
Retailer Lumber Liquidators announced disappointing earnings due to “reduced productivity” associated with its SAP implementation. Here’s what really happened.
SAP Private Cloud Work and Big Data – Press Pass
My discussions with the tech press about SAP’s recent Big Data and private cloud announcements.
The Gap: Poor data creates CRM snafu
Online service problems at The Gap highlight the connection between back-end IT systems and customer satisfaction.
foursquare – the Last Mile for Retailers?
Despite massive spending on CRM and marketing technology, it has been notoriously difficult for consumer product vendors and retailers to manage and analyze in-store behavior. Recently-funded foursquare – and the ecosystem the company is working to build – may offer a solution.
Friday’s Feature: Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010
Latest Release Provides Existing Customers Good Reasons To Upgrade
Redmond, WA based Microsoft Corporation announced its Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 (a.k.a. GP 11) product on April 20th, 2010. Available May 1st 2010 in Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, the Middle East, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States, the announcement perfectly coincides […]
Walmart Goes Direct and Doubles Down on Direct Savings
There’s been plenty of coverage describing Wal-Mart’s new
procurement strategy to avoid middlemen and cut $12 billion in spend in recent
weeks. Surely, savings is a significant motivation behind this recent
action, as it is with anything Wal…
