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Verizon’s Innovation Centers have become breeding grounds for transforming visionary ideas into technologies that are changing the way we live, work and play. Since the centers opened in 2011 — located just outside of Boston and San Francisco — there has been no shortage of invited guests. Visitors include some of the world’s most prominent enterprises, representing several industries such as retailers from household, department stores, luxury, grocery chains and specialty retail chains.
Technology is rapidly improving the customer experience in the retail space. However, each move forward presents new challenges. According to Jay Yanko, managing principal at Verizon Enterprise Solutions, a frequently asked question among retail CIOs is, “What does innovation mean to you?”
“In the retail industry, the answer to this question has really evolved over the years,” Yanko said. “Many of our clients are telling us that innovation is no longer only about installing and deploying the ‘shiny new [technology] toy.’ It’s also about making sure that they are getting the fundamentals right that are critical to driving their business, such as having highly efficient processes, generating the same level of functionality with less resources and operating in a secure environment. For example, today, not being breached is deemed innovative.”
Verizon’s Innovation Centers offer the best of both worlds. It’s where retailers can experience the next generation and leading-edge technologies such as mobile point-of-sale, NFC (near-field communications) and location-based services. Retailers also have the opportunity to meet with Verizon’s experts from a variety of disciplines to better understand best practices for integrating a wide array of advanced communications seamlessly to drive better business outcomes.
Michele Dupre, vice president of Retail at Verizon Enterprise Solutions, said that visiting Verizon’s Innovation Centers has led some of her clients to shift their conversation and perspective.
“For example ‘omnichannel’ is now perceived as an overused catchphrase. Many of the clients who we meet with at our Innovation Centers are no longer talking about omnichannel and instead have honed in on data analytics to drive brand loyalty and engagement.”
Watch the video below to learn more about why Verizon’s Innovation Centers matter for retailers.
Visit Verizon’s Retail Solutions page for more information about the latest innovative retail services and technologies.
