White Paper DXC Eclipse Retail Transformation: How Retailers Can Maximize Their Data to Capture More Market Share
Table of Contents Introduction...2 Smart data solutions...3 How retailers can successfully capture business intelligence...4 Introduction Organizations are becoming more data-driven as they realize the importance of analytics when it comes to gaining business insight and being able to make smarter decisions, faster than their competitors. Data and analytics sit at the heart of business and digital transformation. According to Gartner, the global market for business intelligence (BI) software is expected to reach $18.3 billion in 2017, an increase of 7.3 percent from 2016. By the end of 2020, the market is forecast to grow to $22.8 billion. Retail organizations are looking for ways to get greater insights from a growing and diverse set of data sources and to create business value through a deeper understanding and insight into their data. Retailers also have access to more data than ever before thanks to a rise in digital interactions. For example, a mobile device is now the preferred shopping tool for 34% of shoppers and more than half buy items online weekly or monthly 1. All this online activity leaves a trail that retailers can follow to discover what customers want. By doing so, retailers can outsmart the competition and increase market share. On one hand, gaining insights from data should be easy, since organizations now have access to more data than ever. Information is flowing through from existing, internal operational systems, customer-facing systems, and external data sets such as the Internet of Things (IoT), which can include data from beacons in retail, customer foot traffic, sensors in manufacturing, and much more. Social media platforms are also providing in-depth customer sentiment feedback at unprecedented levels of detail and volume. On the other hand, bringing this data together in a way that the business can access, absorb and action easily poses a challenge that is exacerbated by the fact that these data sources are siloed and in a state of constant change. To be able to analyze this data in a meaningful way, it needs to be accessible at any time, from any location, and in a context that makes sense to the user and to the business. In a nutshell, this means that, while organizations have more data than ever, the challenge remains how to extract business insight that will serve their goals. For businesses to be truly data-driven, this means using the information to make predictions that can result in more effective marketing, merchandising and engagement strategies. 1 PwC Total Retail Survey 2016 2
Effective data analytics provides the key to unlocking and realizing true success. By painting a picture of what is likely to happen in the future, organizations can chart an appropriate course to maximize opportunities and efficiencies, while avoiding traps or errors. Effective data analytics provides the key to unlocking and realizing true success. And data analytics can only be effective if all data sources come together to provide a complete view. To make the most of the advantages offered by the increasing volume of data, businesses must put in place a solid data strategy. They should work with a partner that understands the business and can provide strategic input on the right approach and platform to deliver insights to achieve a sustained competitive advantage. Smart data solutions Microsoft technology, delivered by DXC Eclipse, helps retailers get transformational results from simple tools, making data analytics easy for them. Importantly, it s also making it simpler for retailers to act on the insights obtained through data analytics. Microsoft Dynamics 365 leverages the power of the Microsoft Stack, from enterprise resource management (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) and Power BI to Cortana Intelligence, Office 365, and PowerApps such as the Common Data Model. The combination of tools and capabilities allows retailers to manage their entire operations and sales cycles. Importantly, the Microsoft solution avoids the need for expensive, monolithic, legacy applications that are resource-intensive. Instead, retailers can start small, then add to their solution as appropriate. Retailers need to implement solutions that let them fully leverage data for better insights. 3
How retailers can successfully capture business intelligence 1. Conduct a data audit The first step for organizations is to understand what data they already have access to and what data they would like to have access to. This can include everything from social data and online sales to store data, operational and financial data, supply chain data, and merchandising data. The data audit process will let retailers see where the data gaps and duplicates are, as well as identifying silos. Using different solutions for different operational requirements inevitably results in silos forming, which makes it practically impossible for the organization to be positive that everyone is working from the same data. Removing silos results in what s commonly known as a single source of truth, which is crucial for effective decision-making. Combining solutions from the Microsoft Stack prevents silos because the solutions integrate tightly with each other, sharing information seamlessly. Microsoft s Common Data Model provides the unified view retailers need. It s an out-of-the-box business database for storing data such as sales, purchase, customer service, and productivity. Retailers can then use this to power other Microsoft apps including ERP and CRM. 2. Choose solutions that simplify data analytics In the past, some retailers have found their data projects stymied by a lack of access to IT and data experts who can extract and analyze the information they need. Even something as seemingly-simple as creating management reports and dashboards often required intervention by the IT team. It is far more effective to let business users determine what reports and dashboards they need to be more effective, then automatically serve up that information to them. This saves time and resources, and helps retailers make sense of data in business terms. Similarly, a solution that offers plug-and-play functionality will deliver faster time to value so retailers can get on with extracting insights from data instead of integrating disparate systems. 3. Probe the data Retailers will gain the most value from data when they can understand customer buying trends and behaviors. Consequently, data outputs such as heat maps and store traffic patterns can help retailers make smarter decisions. For example, knowing that customers often spend more time in a certain part of the store can help retailers decide where to put certain merchandise. 4
Using historical data to build a picture of trends can help retailers predict future customer behavior and act accordingly. For example, knowing more customers ask for umbrellas in April than in any other month means retailers can stock up on umbrellas in April but let stocks run low in other months because demand isn t likely to be as high. This can reduce the substantial costs associated with carrying stock for long periods. 4. Choose a retail-specific solution Using the power of the Common Data Model, retailers can bring all their data together in one place, then overlay DXC Eclipse s Exceed Analytics solution (based on Power BI) to get exactly the information they need. Getting the most out of your data with Microsoft cloud-based technology, delivered by DXC Eclipse Within any organization there will be a number of people in different roles who need access to data and analytics. Groups of users, from business users and analysts to data scientists need to be able to work together. As a result, it is no longer adequate to have complex, monolithic analysis tools and projects. Instead, businesses looking to achieve real value from their data need solutions that are unified, enable collaboration, and provide fast, simple access. The challenge for organizations is no longer collecting or accessing the raw data but, rather, aggregating and analyzing it to provide effective and actionable insights, instead of just interesting information. The challenge for organizations is no longer collecting or accessing the raw data but, rather, aggregating and analyzing it to provide effective and actionable insights, instead of just interesting information. As a result, cloud has emerged as the platform of choice for organizations that want to turn their data into business insights that can be acted upon in the short-term to deliver measurable improvements. Next-generation, cloud-based platforms offer the biggest benefits when it comes to avoiding massive expenses associated with data collection and analysis. Cloud solutions lets organizations handle a diverse range of data sources at scale, which makes it cost effective and less risky. The extensibility of cloud makes it possible for organizations to scale up to access the computational power needed for data analysis projects without investing heavily in on-premise infrastructure that may not be needed beyond that project. Cloud-based platforms are faster to implement and easier to change; they allow for collaboration anywhere and anytime, cost less because no hardware is required, and are always up to date. They are also highly secure. Using the cloud makes it easier to integrate a range of data sources and create a single, unified view of the information. All analytics can henceforth be based on this solid data foundation, ensuring the company is using the broadest, most accurate and up-to-date data set for every project. This ensures consistency and accuracy of results. 5
To turn those results into business benefits, organizations depend on decision-makers to understand and interpret the results correctly. Microsoft has created a solution to this challenge. The Power BI for Office 365 cloud service works with Dynamics 365 to provide a self-service analytics solution. It takes raw data and, instead of creating a series of reports with groupings and summations, creates visual representations that immediately convey meaning. This lets managers, who might not have much experience in data analysis, dive into the data themselves, getting more information and insight than would otherwise be possible, in near realtime. DXC Eclipse has developed a next-generation BI and analytics solution that combines Azure Machine Learning solutions with Power BI models, reports, dashboards, and insights. Exceed Analytics packages industry best-practice metrics and customizable dashboards to give near real-time insight to decision-makers. Importantly, Exceed Analytics is built for simplicity so decision-makers can answer the right questions at the right time. Why partner with DXC Eclipse for analytics DXC Eclipse is the partner of choice for organizations looking to leverage Microsoft BI and analytics tools for improved operational performance. With a global team of Microsoft consultants, DXC Eclipse has helped over 2,000 customers achieve successful digital transformation projects using the full suite of Microsoft technologies and applications. DXC Eclipse is also an employer of choice, attracting the smartest and most talented IT professionals in the market today. All consultants have extensive experience not just in delivering successful IT projects but in gaining a deep understanding of specific industry areas. This understanding sets DXC Eclipse apart and enables it to provide strategic, considered advice that makes a real difference. 6
About DXC Technology DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC) is the world s leading independent, end-toend IT services company, helping clients harness the power of innovation to thrive on change. Created by the merger of CSC and the Enterprise Services business of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, DXC Technology serves nearly 6,000 private and public sector clients across 70 countries. The company s technology independence, global talent and extensive partner network combine to deliver powerful next-generation IT services and solutions. DXC Technology is recognized among the best corporate citizens globally. For more information, visit www.dxc.technology. Why work with DXC Eclipse? Moving to Microsoft Dynamics 365 requires careful planning to get maximum benefits with minimal risk. Businesses need to ensure the move is seamless, successful, and non-disruptive. DXC Eclipse is a leading Microsoft partner. DXC Eclipse works with customers to assess their current business systems, processes, and readiness to transition to the Microsoft cloud. The team focuses on managing the business risks, optimizing the IT infrastructure, and managing the integration, security, and new technical and operational opportunities available in the Microsoft cloud. DXC Eclipse uses a Dynamics 365 Readiness Review questionnaire to help businesses understand their current and desired state, then plan a roadmap to the cloud. DXC Eclipse is a Gold Microsoft partner for Microsoft Dynamics and intelligent solutions in the cloud, on Azure, and on-premise. DXC Eclipse is the trusted partner for CFOs with 97 per cent customer retention year on year. DXC Eclipse has a global team of Microsoft consultants. We get to know your business so we can develop the right solution to match your needs, both now and into the future. We offer specialist industry solutions built on the Microsoft platform for retail, manufacturing, banking, healthcare, and mining. No matter what size your organization is or what industry you operate in, we have a solution for you. We ve helped more than 2,000 customers achieve their business goals. Learn more at www.uxceclipse.com 2017 Eclipse, a DXC Technology Company. All rights reserved. September 2017