Misconceptions Color Retailers' Views of Managed Services Opportunities, New Study Finds

According to a new report by RSR Research, "Store Managed Services and the Evolving Role of the Retail Store," store managed services presents a significant opportunity for more effectively managing in-store technologies, but many retailers' perceptions of the opportunity are shaped by past negative experiences with early attempts at technology outsourcing. While store systems have historically been isolated or simple, increasing complexity in both the amount of technology in stores and the inter-dependency of these technologies will soon drive retailers to reconsider the way that store technology infrastructure is managed.

Denver, CO and Bangalore, India (PRWEB) October 31, 2008 -- As more retailers pursue customer service excellence as a differentiating strategy, they are increasingly investing in in-store technology. RSR Research, an analyst firm specializing in retail technology, found in its latest report, "Store Managed Services and the Evolving Role of the Retail Store," (http://www.retailsystemsresearch.com/_document/summary/709) that retailers under-estimate the level of complexity that such investments will bring to in-store environments.

The report, sponsored by Wipro (http://www.wipro.com/retail/retail/retail_whitepaper.aspx), is based on RSR's retail research data and interviews with nine stakeholders in in-store technology, ranging from CIO's to directors of store operations. The research found that recent investments in store technologies are on the verge of significantly increasing the maintenance burden on store infrastructure. However, retailers not only under-estimate the impact of this burden, they discount the role that managed services can play, primarily because they bring a dated perspective on the value of managed services.

"RSR's research shows that retailers have had an on-again off-again relationship with managed services. With this report, we wanted to explore the reasons why," said Nikki Baird, Managing Partner at RSR and author of the report. "Store managed services turns out to be a really interesting opportunity. Between the twin pressures of online retailing (shifting purchases away from stores) and the rise in costs to run stores (both labor and energy costs have sharply increased in the last few years), the opportunity for store managed services is markedly different than it was even two years ago."

RSR's new study, "Store Managed Services and the Evolving Role of the Retail Store," explores the opportunities associated store managed services, along with ways that retailers can explore the value of the opportunity for themselves.

To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, click here (http://www.retailsystemsresearch.com/_document/summary/709) or:

http://www.retailsystemsresearch.com/_document/summary/709

###