Direct Source And BVI Networks Deliver Real-Time Business Intelligence Monitoring To Tier-One Retailers

Direct Source, a national system integration, deployment and services provider, and BVI Networks, a provider of in-store business intelligence and decision-support systems, have partnered to provide retailers with real-time, in-store customer information. With this data, retailers can address some of their highest priority objectives, such as optimizing store operations, applying valuable marketing and sales strategies, and improving security.

"By monitoring consumers in action, retailers can immediately make decisions based on consumer buying behavior, from staffing and merchandise placement to display programs and marketing plans," said Brad Fick, president, Direct Source. "This in-store intelligence can help retailers convert shoppers into buyers, increase profits and optimize inventory for a single store or an entire enterprise."

The BVI monitoring system, RetailNEXT, collects, analyzes and presents data – such as traffic patterns, dwell times and point-of-purchase activity – via a Web-based dashboard. Retailers can get traffic data down to the exact aisle, shelf or display to understand which areas attract shoppers and sell products. When coupled with transaction and inventory data, retailers are also able to see conversion rates for every aisle and display to make changes that affect the bottom line.

According to the 2009 Gartner Research report "The Real-Time Store Monitoring Platform," the BVI technology fulfills a need for retailers. "The source of available real-time data in retail stores has been steadily increasing over the last few years," the report said. "It's obvious that, in the future, retailers will need to have some kind of platform that integrates, manages and makes sense of these real-time signals in the store."

RetailNEXT offers an open approach and unique plug-in architecture so retailers can integrate any third-party video analytics into the system. Direct Source leverages cameras from Axis Communications, the global leader in the network video market, to run the BVI solution for its customers.

"Partnering with Direct Source and their experienced team allows BVI Networks to better meet the needs of our customers, now and in the future," said Alexei Agratchev, CEO, BVI Networks. "Direct Source brings the services expertise for integrating and implementing store technologies that will ensure even the most complex retail environments will benefit from the advanced in-store business intelligence systems we are bringing to the market."

About Direct Source
Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., Direct Source is a nationally recognized installation and integration services provider for tier-one retail and financial institutions, with an expanding network of more than 1,500 national installation specialists. Direct Source's flexible hardware and software solutions are designed to help maintain a competitive edge and improve store productivity and customer service. Not influenced by individual manufacturers, single vision systems or the latest in unproven technologies, Direct Source draws upon its innovative and industry-encompassing experience to recommend independent technologies that help clients operate faster, smarter and more profitably. For more information, visit www.directsource.com

About BVI Networks
BVI Networks offers the only in-store business intelligence solution proven to deliver clear, actionable information and measurable ROI across multiple store departments within weeks of installation. The open RetailNEXT platform provides real-time and near real-time customer metrics that let retailers dramatically improve store execution and customer satisfaction by optimizing staffing, merchandise placement and in-store advertisements. RetailNEXT also enables brand manufacturers to make much better product and marketing decisions and truly measure ROI on advertising investments. The BVI Networks team includes former senior managers from Cisco, Motorola, IBM, Juniper, Novell and Intel, as well as retail professionals with extensive backgrounds in operations, merchandising and asset protection. BVI Networks is rapidly establishing partnerships with leading in-store solution providers and is quickly expanding its customer base. Early customers include major big box retail chains, grocery stores, hardware stores and specialty retailers. BVI Networks is headquartered in San Jose, Calif. For more information, visit www.bvinetworks.com

SOURCE: Direct Source