Business Strategy: Industry Health Update and Cloud Computing Adoption

This publication has been discontinued on June 28, 2011.

Introduction

Abstract

This IDC Retail Insights report looks at the health of the industry using data from the Global Performance Index database. The quarterly topic of interest is cloud computing and how retailers should begin to look at how the architectural approach can be applied to their business.

Group Vice President of Research Bob Parker said, "The current economic situation dictates a vigilant protection of corporate capital balanced with a recognition that there is also tremendous opportunity to capture market share. IT investments are becoming increasingly central to realizing those opportunities."

Table of Contents

• Global Retail Insights Opinion
• In This Report
• Situation Overview
• Industry Health
• Future Outlook
• Update Topic: Cloud Computing in Retail
• The Concept of Private Clouds
• Looking at Cloud Benefits from Both Sides Now — Lower Costs and Greater Capability
• Essential Guidance
• Actions to Consider
• Four Ways to Take Cost Out of IT
• Identify the Untouchable Projects
• Cloud Computing Recommendation
• Learn More
• Related Research
• Synopsis
• Figure: Global Retail Industry Revenue and Profit Trends, 1Q03–1Q10
• Figure: Global Retail Industry Revenue and Inventory Trends, 1Q03–1Q10
• Figure: Cloud Client/Server Architecture

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