A New Face On Page 14
The times are changing, but aren't they always? With this issue we bid adieu to Stephanie Roussel-Dupre, who served as editor in chief of this magazine for the past two years. She served the magazine well and we thank her for it. In the same breath, we welcome Matt Pillar, the new face on page 14.
If you've been reading Integrated Solutions For Ret@ilers over the course of the last few months, you've no doubt noticed the change in the box on the bottom right-hand corner of this page. Stephanie Roussel-Dupre has chosen to continue her education, with her sights set on becoming a teacher. While I'll admit mine can't compare to her smiling face, I can promise you continued growth on the editorial foundation she helped to build.
While mine might be a new face to you, I'm no stranger to the retail industry. In addition to my work for this magazine, I cover the point of sale (POS) channel as a contributing editor with Business Solutions magazine, a periodical geared toward resellers and integrators of POS hardware and software solutions. Doing double duty for these two Corry Publishing magazines gives me valuable exposure to retail vendors, resellers, integrators, and end users on a daily basis. This full-field view of the retail industry is invaluable, and it's a view I look forward to sharing with our readers.
The change in editorial staff should not be considered cause for alarm. While I have ideas and a vision for the magazine, Integrated Solutions For Ret@ilers will continue to offer its core editorial departments and will deliver detailed case studies and feature stories on successful retail technology implementations. We'll also continue to offer forums for executives from the retail and vendor communities to maintain a dialogue.
Hitting The Road And The Show Floor
At Retail Systems a few months ago, I met with more than 50 retail hardware and software vendors. Since the show, my sources and friends in the retail community have relayed that it was a great success. I'd have to agree. From retailers, I heard many "ooohs" and "ahhhs," and the occasional, "We could use that in our store!" Of course, these are the reactions vendors love to hear. Personally, I measured the show's success this year in terms of the quality of my interaction with vendors and end users there. The relationships that developed at the show have already begun to blossom, and some have borne fruit in the form of exciting editorials that you'll see in the coming months.
Since joining Integrated Solutions for Ret@ilers, I've also had the pleasure of meeting many of the retail vendor and end user VIPs at user conferences like JDA's Focus and SAP's SAPPHIRE. The one-on-one time with technology providers and retailers that I'm afforded at these conferences is invaluable. Not only do I get the opportunity to meet with the people creating retail technology solutions, I get to hear real-life implementation stories from end users.
I'm looking forward to my next road trip already. The people with vision, the exciting places, and the ever more valuable technologies being deployed in the retail space make it a great industry to be a part of. We're in the midst of an important historic period in retail. Technology is offering us more useful and exciting solutions than ever before, and the need is greater than ever. Yet, adoption and market demand are slowed by a shaky economy in an age of social and corporate turmoil. This dynamic atmosphere will shape the future of the retail IT industry for years to come, and I consider it an honor to play a part in chronicling the stories of this exciting time.