21 August, 2024

NTT DATA unlocks digital innovation in the retail sector with Syntphony

• Middle East and Africa (MEA) has emerged as global retailing’s next big “hot spot”
• NTT DATA in Middle East and Africa establishes a dedicated center of expertise for the retail sector.
• Syntphony, a composable platform that offers an ecosystem of solutions tailored for retail and other industries introduced to region

21 August, 2024 - Johannesburg - NTT DATA in Middle East and Africa, a leading IT infrastructure and services company, is driving digital innovation and optimizing retail capabilities through comprehensive full-stack solutions with the launch of Syntphony.

The 2023 Global Retail Development Index research report has found that the Middle East and Africa (MEA) has emerged as global retailing’s next big “hot spot”. With projections that total disposable income in MEA nations will double by 2040, the region's retailers can expect significant growth. To enable retailers to keep pace with growing consumer expectations and to enhance existing local customer engagement, NTT DATA in Middle East and Africa is tapping into NTT DATA’s global expertise to establish a center of expertise focusing wholly on the retail sector.

The retail practice is an example of the “GLOCAL” promise that came with the rebranding of Dimension Data to NTT DATA in April 2024, to offer clients a richer portfolio of services, global expertise and assets, enhanced by local knowledge and experience from doing business in the MEA region for over 40 years.

Access to NTT DATA’s full portfolio means that Syntphony, a composable platform that offers an ecosystem of solutions tailored for retail and other industries, can now be included in the local market offering, leveraging more than 24 years of success supporting the global retail sector. These solutions have helped retailers around the world accelerate their digital innovation initiatives, modernize their operations, and optimize their business processes everywhere.

“As a trusted strategic partner to the retail sector, NTT DATA already brings together e-commerce, network, data center, infrastructure, database, connectivity solutions and embedded security with enterprise applications and advanced tech like conversational AI solutions for the retail industry”, says Tony Nugent, Retail Practice Manager at NTT DATA in Middle East and Africa. “By adding Syntphony as a dedicated retail platform offering, we have a trusted and accelerated route to digital innovation that provides greater revenue impact, sales growth, increased profitability and cost reduction.”

The future of retail

Syntphony offers low deployment costs and reduced time-to-market thanks to a modular design, allowing different solutions to be added as needed. Key benefits include a modular and unified platform, omnichannel integration, centralized control and customization for regional specifics. Nugent elaborates, “With capabilities that allow the solutions to be implemented as a highly integrated platform, all aspects of customer interaction can be elevated. Further benefits include speed to market with platforms that require little to no customization. There are also loyalty features that include gamification, intelligent automation and an eco-system of related features that integrate seamlessly.”

“The future of retail is increasingly employee-centric”, he continues. “Employee satisfaction is crucial for any business success which is why it is essential to provide employees with the right tools and conditions in the daily workplace. Syntphony offers a continuous professional development platform for e-learning in the workplace as well as inspires improved retail experiences on the shop floor.”

Syntphony Conversational AI

By leveraging advanced AI technology, Syntphony Conversational AI empowers businesses to deliver personalized experiences and unlock new levels of efficiency. “In terms of GenAI, while retailers across the board inherently understand that these types of technologies can have significant business impact, many still struggle to reap the full value. With advanced natural language processing and GenAI, businesses can deliver hyper-personalised responses and contextualised support, driving higher conversion rates and improved customer satisfaction”, explains Nugent. A practical use case would integrate AI-powered virtual assistants into e-commerce platforms to enhance customer engagement and streamline the buying process.

Implemented within many global retailers, the capabilities and benefits of the solution are already showing a marked impact.

“As digital trends continue to shape the retail industry, a practical view on how a business can capitalize on technology will be key for sector growth. Syntphony rounds out NTT DATA’s comprehensive full-stack retail solution offering that combines cutting-edge technology with business strategy to put consumers at the center of driving revenue growth and brand loyalty”, concludes Nugent.

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About NTT DATA

NTT DATA is a $30+ billion trusted global innovator of business and technology services. We serve 75% of the Fortune Global 100 and are committed to helping clients innovate, optimize and transform for long-term success. As a Global Top Employer, we have diverse experts in more than 50 countries and a robust partner ecosystem of established and start-up companies. Our services include business and technology consulting, data and artificial intelligence, industry solutions, as well as the development, implementation and management of applications, infrastructure and connectivity. We are also one of the leading providers of digital and AI infrastructure in the world. NTT DATA is part of NTT Group, which invests over $3.6 billion each year in R&D to help organizations and society move confidently and sustainably into the digital future. Visit us at nttdata.com

Media Contacts:

Razor PR for NTT DATA

Lungile Mthembu

lungile.mthembu@razorpr.co.za