Business Architecture for Retail Transformation
Every business has an architecture. This enterprise architecture includes facilities, merchandise and manufacturing equipment, Management and HR, IT services, and point of sale systems that define the store value, capabilities and operations.
Understanding and managing the architecture function will enable new opportunities and provide advantages because you know what you have and what it can do.
The retail industry is in transition driven by external forces including customer expectations, networks, smart phones, and logistics plus a long list of emerging capabilities or technologies like the Internet of Things, blockchain, sensor fusion, video surveillance, and Artificial Intelligence.
The value of architecture is in the understanding of current components and how they either enable or constrain development from the current business into one that better appeals to customers and is competitively superior.
This chart provides one level of detail, exposing frameworks, descriptions and roadmaps in creating a shared understanding of the business.
While the chart might appear complex, it ultimately seeks to become an accurate description and model of your business. When successful, this model permits running scenarios for operational changes or adding new capabilities. Management and all other stakeholders are able to share a complete picture of costs and benefits, risks and value.
What’s more, when we connect this architecture to the standards like ARTS/OMG Retail, we are able to realize value faster and at lower cost. In development since the early 1990’s, ARTS offers best practices and industry expertise for important retail technology standards like UnifiedPOS, POSLog and the reference model for Retail.
At Thematix, we can help architect your transformation and innovate a new retail approach to serve new and current customers in the store and online.
Let’s explore what options exist for your business. Send me an email or schedule a free consultation.
Larry W. Smith
