On March 14, IBM announced new software and the creation of a new consulting practice dedicated to the emerging category of ‘Smarter Commerce,’ which is focused on helping companies swiftly adapt to rising customer demands in today’s digitally transformed marketplace.
The Smarter Commerce consulting practice extends IBM’s leadership and investments in business analytics and optimization. The new software and services offerings, supported by global sales and marketing resources, will address the spectrum of enterprise commerce activities—new ways to buy, sell and secure greater customer loyalty in the era of mobile and social networks.
IBM estimates the Smarter Commerce market opportunity at $70 billion, driven by demand from clients that must bring new levels of automation to marketing, customer engagement and sales, as well as core processes for production, fulfillment and service for much more immediate responses to changes in markets and buying trends.
IBM will deliver new integrated software building on these extensive capabilities, new services, and an education initiative to arm an extensive ecosystem of partners, suppliers and customers with new skills to connect the entire Smarter Commerce ecosystem.
«It’s a buyer’s world now,» said Craig Hayman, General Manager, IBM Industry Solutions.»Businesses require a tighter and highly responsive network of suppliers and partners to ensure they deliver the right product or service at the right price, time and place. The key to business success in this unfolding environment is predicting trends and automating market responses in advance to eliminate the gaps between buy and sell, supply and demand.»
IBM is working with more than 2000 global and local brands such as global food producer Danone, McKesson, Moosejaw Mountaineering, Staples, US Lumber and 1-800-FLOWERS to ensure they are marketing to the right audience at the right time; engaging buyers seamlessly in all the right channels and mediums; maintaining inventory levels precisely aligned to demand and automating their supply chains for maximum efficiency.