Cloud networking is integral for today’s retailers. Cloud networking offers a more reliable and efficient alternative to traditional multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) networks, enterprise WAN, expensive bandwidth, and costly infrastructure. Cloud solutions for retail can help businesses facing challenges that include:
- Limited technology budgets.
- Multiple locations.
- Continuous technological maintenance and upgrades.
- Preparing for or optimizing AI deployment.
C-suite executives require technology solutions that help them lower costs while providing maximum performance and scalability. Ultimately, the best strategy for these companies—especially those in the food service, retail, and restaurant sectors—is a cloud networking solution.
Executives increasingly turn to CBTS to manage cloud solutions for retailers, combining Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) and managed cloud Network as a Service (NaaS) to boost their performance. Additionally, CBTS provides support for adopting various AI platforms and embedded tools as well as enhancing security posture.
Cloud solutions cut costs and increase efficiencies for retailers
UCaaS is a managed service for voice and collaboration tools that allows retailers to operate on-demand communications and applications as a utility service. NaaS is a Wi-Fi-enabled network that provides centralized data services throughout unlimited locations. This allows retailers to share wireless connectivity, analytics, and other resources.
CBTS cloud solutions for retailers can:
- Allow retail executives to focus on their core expertise rather than IT-related issues.
- Reduce redundancies through management and monitoring via one company rather than multiple vendors.
- Decrease the need for additional IT professionals and ongoing training.
- Combine mobile solutions, web conferencing, VoIP, contact centers, and collaborative efforts to integrate and work together seamlessly.
- Eliminate the need for costly equipment maintenance and upgrades.
- Place the burden of implementing upgrades and enhancements on CBTS.
- Scale and evolve as your business grows.
- Provide usage-based monthly pricing models.
- Offer effective and reliable 24x7x365 service.
- Implement, optimize, or securely expand AI use cases across the enterprise.
- Improve the organization’s security posture and ensure compliance requirements are met.
UCaaS and NaaS provide a single-pane-of-glass view
UCaaS and NaaS solutions encompass various communications services, including VoIP, phone, long-distance, collaboration applications, contact centers, networking, firewalls, access points, and optical sensor cameras. With a real-time, web-based dashboard, retailers can view key metrics and performance indicators and evaluate how they align with business goals and priorities. These cloud technologies for retailers provide a more efficient and unified look at a retailer’s IT services and offer a comprehensive analysis that would not be possible with solutions from multiple vendors.
Implementing AI across a variety of retail use cases
AI is revolutionizing how retailers interact with customers and manage daily operations. Cloud infrastructure is fast, secure, and scalable—three essential components of effective AI use. Retailers are taking advantage of AI in various scenarios:
- Real-time data analytics from IoT devices such as cameras and sensors generate more profound insights into in-store customer behavior.
- Omnichannel support tools and advanced interactive virtual agents (IVA) expand the traditional role of the contact center.
- Automatic transcription, meeting summaries, and even real-time translation enhance video conferencing.
- Optimize shipping, logistics, and supply chain management with predictive analytics.
- Improve employee engagement with collaboration tools and automated workflows.
Learn more: Revolutionizing retail: The storefront of the future
Meeting modern retail security challenges
With the innovative advances and efficiencies gained from AI also come security challenges. Threat actors utilize generative AI to craft more convincing phishing e-mails and deepfake technology to create voice clones of decision-makers within organizations. Additionally, bad actors are finding ways to manipulate large learning models (LLMs) to expose sensitive data or skew AI responses.
That is why it is critical to work with an MSSP that can implement AI security best practices and deploy the next-generation security tools (enabled by AI) to combat sophisticated threats and bolster concealed vulnerabilities.
Learn more: AI in Cybersecurity: Navigating complexity in the digital age
CBTS solutions aid PCI compliance
Businesses that process credit card transactions face myriad security concerns. With CBTS NaaS and cloud solutions, retailers no longer need to worry about threats to customer information. The solution works with clients’ current payment card industry (PCI) compliance solutions and adds state-of-the-art Intrusion Detection (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention (IPS) Systems. Anti-malware products protect against digital threats that could compromise data, and a network segmentation strategy limits hackers’ attack options.
Streamlined solutions allow for more in-depth analytics
CBTS analytics evaluate client data so retailers can identify their strengths and weaknesses and adjust their business models accordingly. This information also helps forecast trends for the future, which is essential for industries like retail that rely heavily on customer data. With the suite of CBTS cloud technology for retail solutions, retailers can identify customer demographics and shopping trends, track the effectiveness of customer loyalty programs, illustrate customer traffic patterns, and send promotions.
The right cloud solutions partner for retailers
CBTS UCaaS and NaaS solutions combine to maximize retailers’ cloud networking capabilities. Empowered with the latest AI tools, retailers can achieve new levels of efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction. However, these innovations can inadvertently introduce vulnerabilities into your environment without proper security protocols and oversight.
Join the ranks of forward-thinking retail leaders who rely on CBTS for enhanced performance, efficiency, and security. Contact us today to learn more about how our cloud solutions can scale and evolve with your business needs.
