How to achieve unified commerce while retaining UniVerse
Intellias Retail
Connecting Retail, People and Technology | It's Possible with Intellias
In a new article from Intellias , Kirill Velikanov , Technology Leader & Architect, shows that it is possible to start the journey to unified commerce through applications and data management modernisation and deliver value early while continuing to run Rocket Software 's UniVerse software.
The business case for moving to the latest generation of commerce – from Omnichannel to Unified – is evident; retail is evolving faster than many retailers’ ability to keep pace using current systems and architectures.
Some have been falling behind for years, and the gap between winners and losers has been widening since the Financial Times first identified it in 2020.
While some retailers traded well during the pandemic, the circumstances that helped them then are long gone. Now, as inflation and interest rates, labour availability, and supply chain constraints continue to put pressure on margins, some retailers find themselves at a crossroads.
The customer is accelerating pressure to change, with a complex set of needs and behaviours that happen at lightning speed and often without warning. As a result, the traditional, organically grown tech architectures built to manage a more homogenous, predictable consumer and more straightforward channel landscape are no longer adequate.
Those who fail to operate across multiple channels in ways that appear consistent and seamless to the customer risk being left behind. Current attempts to adapt using workarounds, expensive proprietary apps, digital transformation consulting, and loose integrations often fail and can also prove to be costlier in the long run than actually embracing real change.
More cost is not the answer in the current climate; as the Retail ThinkTank predicts, 2024 will be another challenging year. “Beset by low to no growth in the economy, customers impacted by a cost of living crisis, a recruitment dilemma, high staff costs, political uncertainty, and a trading landscape changed permanently by the pandemic, UK retail had a tough 2023. On top of all this, the continued impact of longer-term trends around channel fragmentation, changed consumer behaviours and decaying trust in institutions created further pressures which will spill over into 2024."
Confronted with these challenges, retailers have typically considered two approaches:
The "Big Bang" rip and replace approach has a document[ed] failure rate, which means it is currently the costliest option. This is essentially because it carries the most significant risk of business interruption.
While this is a more pragmatic approach, most businesses adopt it by attempting to optimise each channel without the all-important integration essential to serving a customer who operates in journeys rather than channels. This approach also risks adding complexity that makes the infrastructure hard to manage and slows the speed to value.
The third way: Reuse as much as you can for as long as you can
Fortunately, there is a better way: modernising applications and data management built out from existing UniVerse ERP systems using an app, integration and data layer managed in the cloud and designed to enable agile development. This approach advocates the reuse of existing assets wherever possible and is designed to demonstrate value quickly while mitigating risk.
It marks the beginning of a journey towards unified commerce, where, for now, the core UniVerse system remains intact while specific capabilities are enhanced to enable seamless cross-channel experiences.
This approach also recognises the current environment where there is greater pressure from the board for solid business case justifications, tight monitoring of return on investment, and fewer IT transformation initiatives.
The modernisation journey
The journey starts with practical, operational solutions, specifically the development of new user interfaces and mobile applications that are easy for staff to use and increase their productivity so they can meet customers' evolving needs.
Stock-taking applications with intuitive user interfaces and integrated product images enhance operational efficiency.
Point-of-sale systems equipped with access to comprehensive customer and product data facilitate upselling and cross-selling opportunities, ensuring seamless order fulfilment across channels.
Enabling technology
Central to this modernisation effort is the effective management of data so that it is available instantly and consistently in every channel and on every device.
Leveraging technologies such as Apache Kafka and Rocket MVIS enables real-time data distribution and management without the need for costly system administration.
Adopting the Strangler Pattern methodology enables the gradual enhancement of existing applications, ensuring continuity and minimising disruption. Throughout this transition, app coexistence strategies reduce risks and ensure business continuity.
Real-time integrations allow for more granular modernisation because updates in one system propagate all other related systems in real-time.
Crucially, all these endeavours are managed in the cloud, offering scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency. This cloud-first approach enables retailers to adapt rapidly to changing market dynamics while optimising resource utilisation.
Why Intellias for this journey?
With a track record of helping companies across various industries create innovative digital products and experiences, Intellias delivers deep domain knowledge, a high-performance product culture, and technological expertise. Intellias empowers retailers to reimagine customer relationships and experiences by placing digital at the core of retail operations, driving sustainable growth and competitive advantage.
In conclusion, the imperative for retail modernisation is clear. According to Gartner , 46% of organisations are increasing their investment in application modernisation.
Embracing a unified commerce approach, underpinned by modernised applications and data management, is not just a choice but a necessity for retailers looking to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape. With Intellias as a trusted partner, retailers can confidently embark on this journey, knowing they are in good company on the path to digital transformation.
Making decisions in retail is harder than ever.
Choosing who to work with is the perennial challenge - especially when it comes to technology.
You need partners who live and breathe retail, as well as tech.
Commercial minds who can join the dots between innovation and the bottom line.
Relentless problem solvers, prepared to spend days with your teams to find the root cause - and fix it. True disruptors who can put AI to work.
And together, you must deliver business outcomes. Again and again.
It's possible with Intellias.
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