IRCE 2009 Session Descriptions

Listed below is the individual session description. To view a speakers' bio simply click the links inside the session description.

Day Two—June 16, 2009: Track A: Managing Technology

Managing Technology: Cost-Effective Approaches in an Era of Tight Budgets
Track Chaired By: Bernardine Wu, CEO, FitForCommerce
Technology is never a set-it-and-forget-it proposition. From the selection through implementation and operation, technology requires constant management. This track will guide retailers through the management process, from determining which investments will provide the greatest return, to managing vendor relationships, doing it yourself and making sure you have the right personnel to make it all work.

2:00 PM - 2:45 PM

Build, buy, lease? What technology arrangements make the most sense

Scott Hardy, Executive Vice President, Business Management, GSI Commerce

Jeff Max, CEO, Venda

Bill Mirabito, Principal Analyst, Founder, B2C Partners

Bill Zujewski, Vice President, Product Marketing, ATG

Online retailers today examine technology investments with an eye on near-term return. They face myriad technology options and ways to implement technology. Should they buy? Outsource? Use a software-as-a-service option? This session will lay out the pros and cons of the approaches, help retailers understand which works best when and guide retailers through a decision that's right for today's economy and will suit them for the future.