Accenture (NYSE: ACN) and Avanade Inc. announced today the
availability of its first retail showcase application for Microsoft
Surface(TM). This new application has the potential to transform the
shopping experience by using Microsoft Surface to improve customer
loyalty, allow customers to better understand complex purchases, build
customer relationships and increase add-on sales.
Microsoft Surface is a 30-inch surface computing display in a
table-like form factor that´s easy for individuals or small groups to
interact with in a way that feels familiar, just like in the real
world. Surface provides effortless interaction with digital content
through touch, gestures and by placing objects on the tabletop, rather
than through the use of a keyboard or mouse.
The application will simplify increasingly complex purchasing
decisions facing consumers by providing all the relevant product
information at their fingertips and making the purchasing process
collaborative. It will differentiate retailers and allow them to make
a deep connection to their customers by combining the best of their
online store experience with the ability to physically interact with
products.
For example, customers in an electronics store deciding which TV
to buy are usually confronted with a broad range of choices, each with
very different specifications and price points. Using the application
developed by Accenture and Avanade, customers can compare products,
draw scaled images of rooms in their home - complete with existing
furniture and lighting - to see how the products would look. Customers
can also book installation and complete their purchase by moving
images and information across the screen with their hands.
The application even illustrates the optimum viewing area for
different TVs. Before making their purchase, customers can also choose
additional products to go with their TV purchase, such as a remote
control or cables.
Jeff Smith, managing director of Accenture´s Retail practice, said
of the application, "This application can change a store into a
destination in its sector and it is one tool that should be in a
customer-centric retailer´s arsenal. Surface´s multi-user capabilities
allow retailers to share in a collaborative buying experience with
customers, providing not just detailed knowledge about products in the
store but also how it is going to look, when it can be installed and
even where the customer should sit on their sofa for the best view.
For the retailer, it can help store associates by supplementing their
customer service activities with ´at your fingertips´ knowledge
support."
"We are pleased to have Accenture and Avanade on board as
strategic allies to provide software development and consulting
services, and industry specific expertise that large retailers can
leverage when integrating Surface into their retail strategy," said
Lotfi Herzi, Microsoft Surface General Manager, Enterprise Division,
"We believe Microsoft Surface brings a unique and compelling value to
retailers by giving them new ways to differentiate, diversify and
delight their customers."
In addition to retail use, Accenture and Avanade see opportunities
for the application in such industries as hospitality, entertainment
and telecommunications.
A demo of the new retail application developed for Microsoft
Surface is available at the Accenture and Avanade Solutions Showcase
at Microsoft in Redmond, WA. This area is where Accenture and Avanade
present enterprise-class business solutions on Microsoft technology
platforms and offer clients the opportunity to participate in
workshops to learn how these solutions can benefit their business.
Notes to editors
Microsoft Surface, introduced in May 2007, is a 30-inch surface
computing display in a table-like form factor that provides effortless
interaction with all forms of digital content through natural
gestures, touch and physical objects.
Photos available
Photos of the application are available on request. Please see
contact list below for phone numbers.
About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services
and outsourcing company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture
collaborates with its clients to help them become high-performance
businesses and governments. With deep industry and business process
expertise, broad global resources and a proven track record, Accenture
can mobilize the right people, skills and technologies to help clients
improve their performance. With approximately 170,000 people in 49
countries, the company generated net revenues of US$19.70 billion for
the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2007. Its home page is
www.accenture.com.
About Avanade
Avanade is a global IT consultancy dedicated to using the
Microsoft platform to help enterprises achieve profitable growth.
Through proven solutions that extend Microsoft technologies, Avanade
helps enterprises increase revenue, reduce costs and reinvest in
innovation to gain competitive advantage. Avanade consultants deliver
value according to each customer´s requirements, timeline and budget
by combining insight, innovation and the talent of our global
workforce. Founded in 2000 by Accenture and Microsoft Corp., Avanade
has more than 7,800 professionals serving customers in 22 countries
worldwide.
