Microsoft Puts Connected Experiences for Retail on Display at National Retail Federation Annual Convention & Expo

REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

    Where:  National Retail Federation (NRF) Annual Convention & Expo
            Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
            655 W. 34th St.
            New York, NY 10001

    When:   Jan. 10-13, 2010

    What:   Microsoft Corp. will showcase new technologies and interactive
            solutions that help retailers create differentiated and connected
            experiences for value-driven consumers, and innovate to face
            changing business needs and customer expectations. Microsoft
            booth No. 836 will feature these sections:

            -- Connecting Stores. Featuring dynamic and cost-efficient ways
               to enhance the shopping experience and improve the way
               retailers interact with customers in the store, demonstrations
               will highlight multitouch self-service devices and the benefits
               of a flexible, secure and managed store systems platform.
               Microsoft Windows Embedded will also announce and showcase a
               validated digital signage platform for the retail and
               hospitality markets.  The optimized platform equips original
               equipment manufacturers with Windows 7 tools and technologies
               to help them create the next generation of digital signage
               applications featuring rich, connected and immersive user
               experiences.
            -- Connecting Commerce. In this area of the booth, attendees will
               learn how they can deliver coordinated, consistent and engaging
               experiences across multiple channels and touch points for
               consumers. Attendees will see in action how an interoperable
               technology platform based on solutions that include Microsoft
               Commerce Server 2009 and the latest in digital marketing
               solutions can assist retailers in creating more effective and
               relevant digital experiences.
            -- Connecting the Enterprise. Retailers can help increase
               productivity and improve operational efficiencies in the back
               office with technologies that are designed to support tighter
               store-to-headquarters collaboration and enterprise business
               intelligence. Demonstrations will showcase the latest in
               Microsoft business intelligence (BI) technologies and partner
               solutions designed to drive greater efficiencies and use,
               operational BI, and standards-based BI solutions for
               accelerated implementation.
            -- Connecting Retail. A preview of the soon-to-be released
               Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail solution will showcase
               powerful end-to-end capabilities that help connect consumer
               retail experiences with stores, the retail enterprise and
               e-commerce, gaining critical insight into customer behavior and
               how it can be applied to optimize the entire chain of
               operations - from the warehouse to point of sale. Microsoft
               Dynamics AX for Retail can help retail employees be more
               productive, gain better insight and control of key business
               processes, and create lasting connections with customers and
               suppliers, all with a single-vendor solution and the familiar
               Microsoft application interface.


    Other
    News:   Microsoft executives will lead education sessions in NRF's
            BIG!deas Boulevard.

            -- Jan. 11, 10:45 a.m., 3D05: "Discover the Power and Innovation
               of the Bing Maps Platform," Tim Henderson, Microsoft
            -- Jan. 11, 3:45 p.m., 3D05: "Innovating in Retail with the
               Windows 7 Advantage," Ilya Bukshteyn, Windows Embedded,
               Microsoft
            -- Jan. 12, 11:30 a.m., 3D08: "Digital Marketing and eCommerce:
               The Next Big Retail Opportunity," Matt Muta and Javed Sikander,
               Microsoft
            -- Jan. 12, 1 p.m., 3D08: "Enabling Retailers to Win With
               Microsoft Dynamics," Dilip Popat and Michael Griffiths,
               Microsoft Dynamics Retail, Microsoft
            -- Jan. 12, 1:45 p.m., 3D04: "Developing a Culture of Performance
               in Retail," Bruno Aziza at Microsoft and Henrik Amsinck at The
               LEGO Group

            Microsoft will demonstrate digital consumer-facing technologies
            that connect to retailers' back-office customer relationship
            management and enterprise resource planning systems, offering a
            new way of selling fashion and luxury goods to consumers by
            combining interaction with emotion. Microsoft will demonstrate
            this at NRF in the Style Star Lounge, booth No. 100.


    Who:    -- Bill Gonzalez, general manager, Worldwide Distribution and
               Services Sector, Microsoft
            -- Brendan O'Meara, managing director, Worldwide Retail Industry,
               Microsoft
            -- Fred Bentfeld, general manager, U.S. Distribution & Services,
               Microsoft
            -- David Gruehn, retail industry solutions director, U.S.
               Distribution & Services, Microsoft
            -- Irena Andonova, director of Standard and Enterprise Product
               Management for Windows Embedded, Microsoft
            -- Michael Griffiths, group product manager, Microsoft Dynamics
               Retail
            -- Dilip Popat, director, global retail industry principal,
               Microsoft


    More
    Details:   More information is available at
               http://www.microsoft.com/industry/retail/events/nrf

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SOURCE Microsoft Corp.