Vancouver -
New Edge Networks has formed a
Retail Broadband Alliance that provides retail merchants with a place to go
for broadband networking solutions they can trust to grow revenue, cut
expenses, and improve customer experience.
The Retail Broadband Alliance will bring together member companies that will
represent the full line-up of providers for end-to-end retail network
solutions. Charter member companies include credit card payment processors;
processing gateways; hardware, software, and applications providers; as well
as communications consultants and service integrators. Retail merchants pick
and choose the providers they want.
"Many retail merchants don't know where to turn for successful integration
of broadband network access," said Dan Moffat, president and CEO of New Edge
Networks. "By working with Alliance members, merchants learn of new products
and get assurances that the various hardware components, software, and
service providers can offer solutions that are compatible with new or
existing systems.
"Retail Broadband Alliance members are committed to working together for the
benefit of their customers, hence eliminating finger-pointing when issues
surface," Moffat said. "A fully integrated broadband network helps merchants
increase revenues, cut operating and communications expenses, and improve
the overall customer experience."
The retail industry is rapidly moving to broadband to increase
competitiveness of their store locations. Merchants use broadband for faster
credit card transactions, real-time inventory tracking, online training,
remote sales analysis, workforce management, and video monitoring among
other applications.
The Retail Broadband Alliance will develop marketing programs to help
increase awareness of viable offerings in the marketplace. It will test and
certify solutions, helping merchants make good selections with an assurance
their choices are good ones.
"Broadband uptake among retailers, particularly small and midsize
businesses, is strong and growing," said Stephanie Atkinson, senior analyst
for research firm In-Stat/MDR. "In the new 'Network Economy,' retail
customers want clear, cohesive messaging, real tangible business value, and
proactive customer service from qualified and informed support. Providers
that can reach merchants first, truly understand their service needs, and
provide viable products will emerge as market leaders."
In-Stat/MDR estimates the retail vertical will spend roughly $30 billion on
telecom services and equipment in 2005, up 11 percent from 2004. More
specifically, the retail vertical is expected to spend 28 percent of this
total on wireline data services, which includes broadband, ATM, Frame Relay,
IP-VPN, and other high-speed data services.
New Edge Networks developed the idea to form the Retail Broadband Alliance
based on input from retail merchants and their frustration over the
complexity of making everything work together. Most small and midsize
retailers do not have dedicated IT staffs to manage their networks. Even
companies with IT departments are stretched and looking for assistance.
"These are busy people who don't have time to hunt down new solutions and
integrate them with minimal cost and no disruption to their business,"
Moffat said. "The alliance makes it simple for retail merchants to migrate
to broadband."
Membership in the Retail Broadband Alliance is not exclusive. Membership is
open to companies whose core products and services target the retail
industry. Member companies must have a minimum of two years of operating
history and proven expertise in retail markets. Membership participation
also requires execution of a Retail Broadband Alliance membership agreement
and pre-defined joint marketing activities.
More information about the Retail Broadband Alliance and membership is
available at
http://www.newedgenetworks.com/solutions/rba/.
In addition to New Edge Networks, charter members of the Retail Broadband
Alliance include: Payment Resources International, a processing gateway;
Precidia Technologies, manufacturer of IP access devices for point-of-sale
(POS) terminal equipment; TPI Software, a developer of payment processing
software; Secure Path Networks, TopSpeed, and W. Lange, all communications
consultants. Negotiations to add other providers are continuing.
About New Edge Networks
New Edge Networks is a single-source national provider of managed network
services for multi-location wide area networks (WANs). Through its own
network facilities, New Edge Networks integrates a wide variety of last-mile
broadband access technologies for building blended networks that reach 100
percent of all U.S. business locations.
Customers include business enterprises, telecom carriers, and other
communications providers. New Edge Networks is listed No. 28 on the 2004
Inc. 500 list and was chosen as Frost and Sullivan's 2004 telecom company of
the year.
The company's Web site is
www.newedgenetworks.com. Telephone: 360-693-9009.
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