GREENVALE, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–KWI, the industry leading provider of Cloud-based enterprise solutions for specialty retailers, announced continued growth in 2015 with Cloud 9 POS, Merchandising, Planning, Clienteling and CRM solutions.
2015 was a turning point in retail technology as more specialty retailers recognized the need to provide their customers with an integrated commerce experience through omni-channel retailing. New and returning clients opted for KWI’s full portfolio of offerings in Cloud 9 POS technology, Merchandising, Planning, Clienteling and CRM solutions, pushing Cloud 9 platform revenue 81% in 2015.
KWI’s Cloud 9 POS is now the preferred POS form factor, with Cloud 9 POS devices surpassing the number of traditional client/server installations. From mobile retailing to special orders and PIN-based debit, KWI’s Cloud 9 technologies has made the move to cloud technology a seamless reality for KWI clients who now enjoy full POS functionality in mobile and traditional register environments.
Driving KWI’s growth is their continuing commitment to people, providing clients with live 24/7 team support:
“Time and time again, we have earned the business of continuing and new clients with people as our unique differentiator. Many offer SaaS, but at KWI we never forget that second ‘S’ in SaaS is service. KWI people work as part of our clients’ teams to ensure that they achieve their growth and profit objectives. We’re proud to welcome back Waterworks to our family of customers who find our service to be superior to others in the marketplace.”
Sam Kliger, KWI CEO
Key Leadership Additions and Expansions
In 2016 KWI will continue its innovative technology development path with new leadership: Jason Mueller now heads KWI’s innovation process as VP of Software Development. Jason’s extensive Microsoft experience managing successful implementations of new technologies will ensure that KWI will deliver the best-of-breed integrated retail solutions for all aspects of specialty retailing.
KWI also announces the creation of a new Customer Relationship Team. Chris Jannuzzi, Director of Business Development, has named Stephanie Itzkowitz as KWI Customer Relationship Manager. Stephanie will be dedicated to building relationships and working with customers on strategic initiatives.
Cathy Kawalek joins the KWI team in the newly created role of Director of Marketing. Cathy’s apparel, retail and technology experience at Levi’s, JCPenney and IBM will provide added insight as she ensures an ongoing dialog with our clients through increased communications and engagements.
New KWI CFO, Michael Lazard, who was promoted to this role in September, will be focused on streamlining KWI process and procedures with all clients and vendors.
KWI Cloud 9 POS Product Innovations
KWI announced 3 major releases this year for Cloud 9. Apple Pay, incorporated as a new payment option, saw immediate payback for clients. Releases 4.3 and 4.4 of KWI Cloud 9 POS, with many new updated security and payment options, simplified the POS experience for customers and provided the groundwork for EMV transition in Q1 2016. With the addition of PIN-based debit and Special Order functionalities in Version 4.4, KWI achieved the objective of offering full functionality for mobile POS.
“Our software has always been in the cloud and this year we are happy to report that with the release of Cloud 9 POS 4.4, we have delivered full functionality in store technology. In addition, given our commitment to exceptional service and security for our clients, we are proud to announce our ROC for PCI Compliance as a managed services provider. KWI’s software has always been compliant so this additional audit achievement for all of KWI’s POS support services provides our clients with an added competitive and security advantage.”
Sam Kliger, CEO
Built to Grow with Clients
In 2015 KWI welcomed a host of new clients to the KWI family. KWI is especially pleased to welcome back Waterworks, the sixth client who has chosen to return to the KWI portfolio of solutions. KWI celebrated a milestone with transactions reaching over 9,000,000 and several clients achieving over 300,000 mobile transactions in the holiday 2015 season, resulting in increases of ~8% in dollars per transaction and ~12% in units per transaction versus traditional POS registers.
KWI offers a global enterprise-class cloud platform with the team, infrastructure and innovation that will provide unique technologies in the next phase of the retail roadmap. Flexible for any size retailer and with real-time platform options for specialty retailers, the KWI Cloud 9 Platform now offers a complete portfolio of solutions for omni-channel success. Since its founding 30 years ago as the first-to-market SaaS provider of specialty retail solutions, KWI has continued to innovate in the cloud, while delivering vision and leadership to help their clients grow.
KWI, located in Greenvale, NY, offers a complete, customizable portfolio of Cloud-based enterprise solutions for specialty retailers. Pandora, Brighton Collectibles, Theory, David Yurman and Aerosoles are some of the many customers who look to KWI for technology innovation and leadership in POS, CRM, Merchandising, and Loss Prevention. Created by Sam Kliger in 1985, KWI remains a privately held company committed to delighting our customers and providing game-changing technology to drive their success. Many of our original team has been with us from day one, contributing to an extraordinary depth of knowledge and demonstrating our most important belief: People are the difference. Please join us at NRF Booth #3516 and meet our team!
Contacts
KWI
Cathy Kawalek, 516-621-2400 ext. 324
ckawalek@kwi.com