Turning Convenience Stores into Cash Generating Monsters

With thirty-two years of experience under their belts, Bill Scott and James Hawkins chronicle a seven-year project to link retail stores to headquarters, suppliers and trading partners, using 'cloud computing' and the Internet. Large retailers like Walmart, Target, Couche-Tard and 7-Eleven, link their stores to multimillion-dollar mainframe computers carrying out successful programs to provide everyday low prices to their customers as independent retailers struggle to pick up the scraps. This book is a must read for retailers trying hard to survive.

Every now and then, a new technology comes along that creates an exceptional opportunity for the small businessperson to grab the brass ring. An opportunity so dramatic it allows the motivated and visionary business, regardless of its size, to grab huge chunks of his competitors' market by creating a 'temporary' level, playing field. The experts call being ready for these opportunities, "Strategic Systems Vision." But whatever you call it, it provides an incredible chance to strike while the iron is hot.

It's happened before... FedEx's strategic thrust resulting in the creation of the world's most successful package delivery service; American Airline's creation of the SABER system that resulted in their domination of the air travel industry; Bill Gate's seizing of the small business computer market... there are literally hundreds of examples; all brought about by the creative employment of technologies someone else used their blood, sweat and tears to bring to life.

Cloud Computing, today, is such a 'new' technology, but it's been around for thirty years... the Internet for forty-two years. Multimillion-dollar data centers, running at ten percent (10%) capacity are starving for your attention. But small business continues to ignore this huge tear in the business environment. Why? Because most of the decision-makers keep taking their technology advice from their information technology employees. People who do not want their companies to mate these two technologies because they think it will cost them their jobs. The decisions are not being made because the view of the future is being intentionally blocked.