Testimonials                                  

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What our Members have to say . . .	A Retailers Focus The IBM Retail User Group was founded by early users of IBM's 3650 RSS. The organization consisted of a small group of department store and discount retailers, pioneer users of IBM POS, and IBM retail system professionals from Raleigh. The original name of the group was "IBM RSS Users Group". The group met in the Fall and Spring to discuss mutual problems, share solutions, and learn from each other to derive the most benefit from their POS investment. As the organization grew, adding specialty, supermarket, and hospitality retailers to their ranks, their focus broadened to include the diversified POS platforms represented. It was this diversification, and the introduction of the PC that lead to the inclusion of IBM business partners as associate members. Today retailers, IBM, and IBM business partners comprise the membership. The recent focus on the total store has expanded the groups conference format beyond POS. While POS is still a core focus of the group, the inclusion of all areas of IBM retail has led to a membership mix that includes non-IBM POS retailers and business partners. This emerging store systems focus prompted the recent name change to IBM Retail User Group. The annual conference is held in May for three days. A board of retail members along with IBM and associate member representation develops the agenda with topic input from the membership. The agenda includes; new IBM product announcements, presentations by the membership on hardware and software solutions/experiences, and keynote addresses by industry leaders and much more. The conference provides a forum for sharing of ideas and solutions, as well as establishing an environment for networking among its members. IBM is well represented at the meeting to lend support and provide input. What some of our retail members say about belonging to the IBM Retail User Group: The main reason I have become active in the IBM Store Systems User Group is to keep abreast of the latest changes IBM is making in POS as well as offerings from IBM business partners. The opportunity to network with other users has proven invaluable to Pier 1 as we continue to expand our systems in order to keep up with ever-changing technology. Karen Paramore, Pier 1 The conference provides a great forum to meet with other retailers and vendor/service providers.  Members have alot in common and face many of the same challenges.   The sharing of ideas, best practices and lessons learned makes this conference well worth the cost of admission! Kelly Hewitt, Director, Belk Store Systems Associate membership in the IBM Retail User Group: The IBM Store Systems User Group is a very unique organization. It is an association where members can come together for education on current technologies pertaining to IBM point of sale and store systems. They can hear success' regarding different software applications, total hardware roll-outs and everything in between. Steve Shipley, POS Plus, Inc. IBM Professional association with the IBM Retail User Group: As the Executive Director of ARTS, three years ago I was invited to speak and attend the Annual IBM Store Systems User Group conference--I now look forward to returning each year. The annual conference is the best place to meet the leaders of the industry and keep abreast of developments in store hardware and software. The range of sessions is outstanding, from management level presentations on new features and functions for increasing customer satisfaction to how to implement new objects within Java or Windows or extend the life of 4680 OS. While IBM support presence is strong, it is clear that the users manage the conference and content. Everything is well organized: the sessions, the excellent exhibits, and the social functions that provide the perfect opportunity for informal networking. ARTS is delighted to be a Professional Member. At the conference we find many of our vendor members that support open standards and the retailers that demand them. Each year we take away ideas for new or improved standards. If you are thinking of upgrading your Store Systems or need new ideas to improve customer service, you need to attend. Richard Mader, ARTS IBM Retail User Group 8421 Lorraine Drive Strongsville, OH 44149 Phone: (440) 238-5880 Fax: (440) 238-6698 email: issug@roadrunner.com