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Retail
Broadband Alliance Helps Merchants Migrate to Broadband
November 2004 (Newstream) -- 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 lineup 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 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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Produced for New Edge Networks
Contact:
Sal Cinquegrani
1-360-906-9723
1-847-420-1750 (cell)
scinqugrani@newedgenetworks.com
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