A Measure of Progress
In the last few weeks I have been lucky enough to be the recipient of a great many compliments and kudos on the depth of functionality and stability of our newest software release, Retail Pro Version 9.2r4. The comments primarily came from our partners, but also from a few early adopter customers who are using the product in their retail environment. One comment from a North American partner touched me the most; he had reviewed the product and was particularly impressed with the many important added features and how well they stacked-up against our competitors in the marketplace. He specifically commented on how we were delivering exactly what we had promised when I took over the reins of the company and outlined our go-forward vision and strategy. Nothing could be more pleasing or affirming to me than this observation. As CEO, I report to the Board of Directors. I am judged by the BOD on a number of metrics, including revenue, cost control, and of course EBITDA(earnings). Though these are important metrics, I do not think they are terribly meaningful to you, our Partners and Customers. I am much more fulfilled and validated when I hear that something we are producing is making a significant contribution to your businesses. This, to me, is the true measure of progress. I am proud of our recent progress and will now unabashedly make a sales pitch for why I think it is time for everyone in the Retail Pro ecosystem to take a long hard look at what Version 9 has to offer.
I will not waste my precious (and limited) communication space in this blog to outline the specific features added to Version 9 .2r4, but I will summarize by saying the release notes which describe the new features are over ninety (90) pages long! When you combine the depth of this new release with the many new additions we have brought to the market in the last few months, it is a truly compelling proposition. We now have an active and productive APP Market where partners and customers can shop for add-ons and extensions to their Retail Pro solution and a great many new distance learning courses on Retail Pro University that can help a partner get certified or a retailer on-board a new cashier. We are also days away from the release of the Retail Pro Web Store, which will seamlessly integrate with your Version 9 brick and mortar store.
I ask that you do take the time to investigate the progress we have been making both in product development, and in partner and customer services. Join us in Cancun in October at the annual Retail Pro conference to learn, network and see all these forms of progress first-hand. The conference details are posted on www.retailpro.com.
Admittedly, I am judged by our BOD by my ability to make our customers and partners happy while assuring that Retail Pro is making profits, but I see my ultimate success coming in assisting you all in making greater profits.
Thanks for listening.
Sincerely,
Kerry Lemos
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