Verizon Business and Deloitte have teamed up to launch a 5G and mobile edge computing digital platform for retailers. The platform can unlock retail in-store data with near real-time analytics to improve customer engagement and inventory efficiency.

Verizon’s 5G network and MEC, combined with technologies such as video camera and sensor-based analytics, artificial intelligence and augmented reality, are the foundational elements of the retail platform. The two organizations have developed a set of enterprise-wide use cases that can be enabled by the platform, a reference architecture that amplifies back-office application integration value and a customizable approach to accelerate outcomes and ROI.

Verizon Business and Deloitte are also collaborating with SAP to integrate SAP’s software suite into the platform, including SAP Customer Activity Repository and SAP S/4HANA.

“It’s an exciting moment to unveil this innovative retail collaboration with Deloitte and SAP,” said Tami Erwin, CEO of Verizon Business. “We are entering a new era of technology-led disruption at the exact same moment every retailer is looking to accelerate digital transformation, increase productivity and improve customer experiences. We’re ready to open the doors to Verizon’s transformative 5G and mobile edge compute platform and look forward to helping our customers reimagine everything from their employee experience and supply chain to end-customer use cases.”

The collaborative platform includes near real-time actionable intelligence to address out-of-stock shelf inventory management, where the platform generates automated replenishment notifications to in-store associates to refill shelves from the back of the house and alerts distribution centers to allocate additional inventory.

“The opportunity for 5G and MEC to enable frictionless retail experiences and improve asset productivity should have a seismic impact on the retail industry,” said Anthony Stephan, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP, and US Consulting consumer industry lead. “Our collaboration with Verizon Business and SAP enables us to efficiently and effectively address the concerns of retailers today, providing a best-in-class digital transformation experience that can respond and deliver at the speed of 5G.”

About Verizon Business

Verizon Business is a division of Verizon Communications based in Basking Ridge, New Jersey that provides services and products for Verizon's business and government clients around the world. Verizon Enterprise Solutions provides products and services related to networks, cloud, machine to machine and mobile technologies; data, hosting and storage; and managed security, as well as other wired and wireless offerings. In addition, the company offers solutions that it tailors to specific vertical markets. These markets include healthcare, financial, retail, government, energy and utilities. The division assesses client's business needs and systems to make recommendations on potential new technologies.

About Deloitte

“Deloitte” is the brand under which tens of thousands of dedicated professionals in independent firms throughout the world collaborate to provide audit & assurance, consulting, risk and financial advisory, risk management, tax, and related services to select clients. These firms are members of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee. Each DTTL member firm provides services in particular geographic areas and is subject to the laws and professional regulations of the particular country or countries in which it operates.