Retail Systems Modernization

In retail, every minute of downtime costs money. So why do so many retailers still use old, outdated dial-up solutions? In the past, there were fewer low-cost options available, but today, many more possiblities exist that allow retail organizations to take advantage of fast, reliable and redundant communications to handle both legacy data as well as implement new and powerful services out to the remote store site, such as Internet, email, up-to-the-minute inventory tracking, etc.

MAI has been leading the charge on retail network conversions, assisting customers with the migration from dial-up systems to an always on, always fast and highly reliable Frame Relay Wide Area Network. MAI understands the challenges of running legacy applications and polling protocols (including SNA) across packetized networks, but with skillful design and powerful network management tools has made even the most tricky applications run smoothly and seamlessly across the new network, while greatly increasing speed.

How fast? One of our customers, a department store chain based in Ohio, was able to reduce a 45 second credit card authorization to under 3 seconds, across all 150+ stores nationwide. This faster processing not only means less customer wait and higher revenues, but actually offset much of the initial cost of implementing the new WAN in the first place. Plus, the headquarters was able to track inventory minute-by-minute, as well as roll-out email, training, and credit services via the Internet, all utilizing the same circuit without impeding the mission-critical credit card services.

Another important aspect of this customer's network is the managed network service that MAI's Network Operations Center provides. This managed service handles all network connectivity issues throughout all 150+ stores, as well as the warehouses and support locations, freeing the retail organization's help desk to do what it does best: handle the calls for the store systems without wasting time, money and energy on issues related to the network itself.

MAI performs managed services, network design and systems integration for all sizes of retail organizations, from 15 locations to 300+. Call today and let us show you how you can save time, money and aggravation with an MAI managed retail solution today.