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News Releases
Retail Broadband Alliance Helps Merchants Migrate to Broadband
VANCOUVER, Wash. – (Nov. 22, 2004) – 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 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: 1-360-693-9009.
Contact:
Sal Cinquegrani
(360) 906-9723
ATTN: New Edge Networks news releases contain information that is accurate as of the date they are issued. Information contained in past news releases may become out of date and the company does not assume responsibility for updating information contained in past news releases.