OrderDynamics Order Management Study with Forrester Research Featured in Global Publications

In November 2013, OrderDynamics® released the results of a global study with Forrester Research entitled “The Retail Order Management Imperative”. OrderDynamics commissioned the study in September, which surveyed 337 retailers in North America, Europe and Asia to assess the importance they place in a retail order management system, and its effects on implementing a successful omni-channel retail strategy.

The results of the Forrester Report were astonishing, sharing key statistics indicating that retailers believe order management technology underpins omni-channel retail initiatives, with cross-channel fulfillment programs being the most important aspect of an omni-channel strategy, and that many retailers are already allocating (or plan to) a C-level executive to manage these initiatives.

Since the report’s release, along with a Webinar on November 26 featuring Principle Analyst at Forrester Research, Peter Sheldon called “How A Retail Order Management System is the Key to Unlocking Your Omni-Channel Strategy”, the report has gained the attention of many publications around the world. France’s eCommerce Mag published a French recap of the report last week, pushing the study results toward a larger international demographic. The UK’s Banner Managed Communications and Retail Times both also published recaps of report, as did the US-based Retail TouchPoints. Major tenets of the report were included in Econsultancy’s (another UK publication) “10 Interesting Internet Marketing Stats We’ve Seen This Week”.

The most interesting of the media attention received was that found in the UK’s Marketing Week which went beyond summarizing the report findings, and included thought leadership on the real-world application of the retail order management imperative. Marketing Week’s Michael Barnett suggested that while retail order management systems create more cohesive and successful cross-channel fulfillment programs that drive increased levels of growth for the retailer, this is only one piece of the puzzle, and retailers must ensure that store fulfillment tactics provide the same convenience for consumers as it does for retailers. Mr. Barnett spoke with Michael Ross of OrderDynamics’ parent company, eCommera, who stated that store fulfillment tactics such as In-Store Pickup, Reserve Online and Ship from Store only work well if sufficient data systems are in place to ensure consumers always receive the most current and accurate information when ordering online, otherwise there could be disconnects in inventory information that can leave retailers unable to fulfill orders and customers unsatisfied.

It is interesting to see how the information from “The Retail Order Management Imperative” is being interpreted by retailers and retail experts. Omni-Channel commerce retail and cross-channel fulfillment  via a retail order management system help close the gap between tech-savvy consumers who are comfortable shopping online, and those who still need assurance as to the safety and ease of it by meeting the growing demands for convenience and rapid fulfillment through unifying cross-channel shopping experiences.  Retailers need to act quickly to implement cross-channel initiatives to keep up with evolving competitors and consumer expectations or risk falling behind those who can provide consumers with ideal shopping experiences that satisfy and excite them, ensuring repeat business and improved brand loyalty.

To download a copy of "The Retail Order Management Imperative", click here.