CEO, NSU Technologies

March 6, 2020March 6, 2020

The Intelligent Digital Assistant: Where BI ends and AI Begins [Part II]

In part I of this article, we discussed the history of business intelligence (BI) adoption across organizations. We outlined the importance of establishing a foundation of trust and embracing a culture of change management to support data-driven initiatives. We discussed the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and how its adoption faces challenges similar to that … Continue reading The Intelligent Digital Assistant: Where BI ends and AI Begins [Part II]

February 21, 2020March 6, 2020

The Intelligent Digital Assistant: Where BI ends and AI Begins [Part I]

I recall my first week on the job at Lowe’s in September of 1992. I had worked with Lowe’s as a consultant (Ernst & Young) for nearly six months before joining as an employee, so I was well aware of Lowe’s ambitious growth plans. I had a meeting with the newly appointed head of technology … Continue reading The Intelligent Digital Assistant: Where BI ends and AI Begins [Part I]

February 13, 2020February 13, 2020

Observations from NRF 2020

I attended the NRF Big Show in New York a couple of weeks ago. As I did last year, I am writing on my observations from the show and discussing some of the new trends we see in retail and retail technology. I walked the floor and observed the energy and flow of the more … Continue reading Observations from NRF 2020

February 13, 2020

Data Strategy for Data-Driven Organizations

It seems like wherever we turn these days we are reminded that we live in a data-driven world. Whether it is recommended items on an e-commerce website, detailed directions from a GPS device, exhaustive statistics while watching a golf tournament, or getting cooking instructions from a smart speaker, we see data used in a variety … Continue reading Data Strategy for Data-Driven Organizations

February 13, 2020

NRF 2019 Reflections

I will admit, during my last 12 plus years in retail, trips to the NRF show were a blur. We would always end up with a very rigorous schedule of meetings and presentations that left very little time to “explore.” Even when we did find some time, walking up to a booth with Lowe’s or … Continue reading NRF 2019 Reflections

February 13, 2020

Key Considerations for the Cloud in Retail

A few days ago I was reading an article on cloud computing in retail. The article provided a number of retail specific use cases for cloud technologies. The article prompted a thought, so I dug into a few other articles on the subject. As I reflected on the examples provided in a half dozen or … Continue reading Key Considerations for the Cloud in Retail

February 13, 2020February 13, 2020

Rethinking the Retail Store’s Role in Fulfillment

I recently read an article in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) about Les Wexner and his belief in the physical store in retail. In the article Mr. Wexner asserts that people are social creatures and will continue to go to physical stores in part because they crave social interaction. In the same article he discussed … Continue reading Rethinking the Retail Store’s Role in Fulfillment

February 13, 2020February 13, 2020

Demystifying Artificial Intelligence in Retail

Few terms are met with as much confusion and angst as artificial intelligence or AI. What is AI? Is it real? Will I lose my job to a robot or an intelligent algorithm? I hear these questions a lot these days. Generally speaking, AI is a computer model that mimics human characteristics of reasoning, discovery, … Continue reading Demystifying Artificial Intelligence in Retail

February 13, 2020February 13, 2020

Enabling Better Retail Experiences through IOT

Stop me if you have heard this one before. The Internet of Things (IoT) will revolutionize the way retailers serve their customers and operate their stores. Skeptical? You probably have a good reason to doubt that statement. Let’s take the case of the most widely known IoT variant, RFID. Remember in 2003 when Walmart mandated … Continue reading Enabling Better Retail Experiences through IOT

February 13, 2020February 13, 2020

Core, Chase, Cherish: Retail in 2018

I am not sure of the origins of the phrase “chore and cherish” retail, but I immediately liked it when I read it. Simply put, chore retail is the purchasing of commodity product. In other words, purchasing products because we have to, not because we want to. The key to chore retail is to make … Continue reading Core, Chase, Cherish: Retail in 2018