Leading Retail Technology Study Ranks Verizon Among Top 10 IT Consulting Providers

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon has been named a top 10 IT consulting provider for retailers, in a study by RIS News and leading industry analyst group Gartner Inc.

The 20th Annual RIS/Gartner Retail Technology Study, which focuses on the top technologies for the retail market, as well as on the most pressing industry concerns, noted that consulting now consumes about 45 percent of overall retail spending for third-party IT services.  Verizon earned a place on the top 10 list through a renewed focus on serving the retail vertical market with integrated IT solutions.

"Verizon is making new inroads into the retail IT market this year with our increased focus and commitment to this market," said Ravi Bagal, vice president and global managing director - retail, Verizon Business.  "This ranking demonstrates that we're making solid progress in becoming the go-to retail IT solutions provider."

Joe Skorupa, editor-in-chief, RIS News, said, "Our study shows that Verizon is gaining mindshare among retailers as one of the top companies retailers turn to for strategic, broad-based services. What's more, this study affirms that Verizon is one of the key IT solutions providers to watch in 2010."

According to the study, retailers are rapidly adopting on-demand, or software-as-service (SaaS), technology, with 24 percent of respondents indicating that SaaS represents their preferred software approach.  

To meet this need, Verizon announced in January its Framework for Retail.  Built on a SaaS model, the cloud-based platform is designed to help retailers improve their IT performance and enhance their business processes.  The framework leverages Verizon's established global IT network and data centers to host and securely connect disparate applications and technology platforms – both internally and across vendors.

The Annual Retail Technology Study is available by clicking here.

Verizon Retail

Verizon Retail is an IT consulting practice group focused on helping retailers simplify their IT infrastructure, better control costs, and protect their data and reputation with the ultimate goal of better serving customers.  Through Verizon's Framework for Retail, the company brings a unique, standards-based approach to retailers.  The framework leverages Verizon's networking, managed IT and application solutions, specifically drawing upon Verizon's cloud computing and security offerings.  More information is available at http://www.verizonbusiness.com/solutions/retail.  

About Verizon Business

Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), is a global leader in communications and IT solutions. We combine professional expertise with one of the world's most connected IP networks to deliver award-winning communications, IT, information security and network solutions.  We securely connect today's extended enterprises of widespread and mobile customers, partners, suppliers and employees – enabling them to increase productivity and efficiency and help preserve the environment.  Many of the world's largest businesses and governments – including 96 percent of the Fortune 1000 and thousands of government agencies and educational institutions – rely on our professional and managed services and network technologies to accelerate their business. Find out more at www.verizonbusiness.com.

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SOURCE Verizon Business