Justin Racine, Principal of Commerce Strategy, has covered some of the most memorable commerce, retail topics and customer experiences to hit our newsfeeds in recent years. He has written for CMSWire on a wide range of subjects and has previously been awarded Contributor of the Year, so it’s no surprise that he has once again earned the honor for 2025.

This year, Justin decoded the Manning brothers’ secret playbook for brand loyalty and urged the world to recognize how customers are using AI in their holiday shopping. He wrote about everything from Taylor Swift to KFC, but we wanted to know which articles readers shared, liked, and returned to the most. Below are the top five CMSWire pieces Justin published in 2025.

Number 5 – Alexa, Meet ChatGPT: New Ecommerce Customer Experience Party Has Better Snacks

Justin explores how the integration of conversational AI like ChatGPT with voice assistants such as Alexa will reshape commerce by creating more natural, personalized shopping experiences. With generative AI and voice-driven interfaces working together, brands can deliver seamless product discovery, recommendations, and transactions that feel like real conversations.

Number 4 – The Future for Your Consumers Isn’t Social Media, It’s Social Life

From the early days of dial-up to the rise of social media, being online has always been about discovering what’s happening and who’s involved. Justin explains how social media is evolving into what he calls “social life,” where AI-powered wearables and connected devices blend digital and physical interactions. Instead of likes and passive engagement, future platforms will emphasize real-time, interactive experiences that reshape how we shop, date, and socialize.

Number 3 – The Future of Customer Experience Is Built for AI, Not Humans

Justin spent much of the year writing about the future of customer experience, and his prediction is bold: humans are no longer the primary focus. He argues that autonomous AI agents will increasingly make decisions and purchases on behalf of consumers. To prepare, brands must overhaul product data, adopt composable commerce architectures, and support dynamic, AI-generated product pages that respond to real-time queries.

Number 2 – The Absolute Top Moments From NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show

The National Retail Federation’s annual conference kicks off the year, and Justin’s recap is always a reader favorite. His 2025 takeaways highlighted how AI’s practical impact is now front and center in most retailers’ plans. He also emphasized the importance of the show floor embodying the essence of retail and noted several provocative discussions about the future of digital commerce.

Number 1 – What Red Lobster’s New CEO Teaches Us About Customer Experience Strategy

The most-read article of the year was Justin’s deep dive into the revival of a well-known seafood chain. He unpacked how Damola Adamolekun, Red Lobster’s new CEO, turned around a struggling franchise with small but meaningful changes. Updates to menus, ambiance, and overall experience led to significant improvements in customer satisfaction. Justin also highlighted how authenticity and transparency strengthened trust among both employees and guests, improving overall brand perception.

That’s a Wrap on Justin’s Top CMSWire Articles for 2025

If you can’t get enough of Justin’s insights, keep an eye out for his upcoming article covering NRF: Retail’s Big Show in early January. We’ll be sharing live coverage from the first few days of the conference, and if you plan to attend, be sure to meet Justin and the rest of our experts.

Perficient is proud to be named a Major Player in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Experience Build Services 2025 Vendor Assessment (Doc #US52973125, October 2025) and IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Experience Design Services 2025 Vendor Assessment (Doc #US52973225, October 2025). These IDC MarketScapes assessed providers, offering a comprehensive framework including product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current/future market success factors.

“We believe being recognized by IDC for Experience Design and Experience Build reinforces the impact we have on behalf of clients creating personalized, seamless interactions that accelerate growth. In today’s experience-driven economy, that’s the competitive advantage that matters,” says Erin Rushman, general manager of digital marketing and experience design operations at Perficient.

What This Inclusion Means for Perficient

Being named a Major Player, we believe, underscores our dedication to transforming customer experiences and empowering businesses through personalized, seamless, and impactful interactions. Perficient combines strategy and research with human-centered design to help organizations craft agile, customer-focused solutions that thrive in dynamic markets. By leveraging data-driven insights, personalization, AI, and more, we deliver end-to-end experiences that deepen engagement and drive measurable business impact.

According to the IDC MarketScape for Experience Design Services, “Perficient has strong capabilities in digital offering design and offers leading-edge experience design services backed by a global innovation network.” The report also notes, “In conversations with Perficient’s reference clients, the three areas where experience design services buyers commended the vendor highly were for the quality of its professionals, for its industry specific capabilities, and differentiation as a vendor.”

The IDC MarketScape for Experience Build Services states, “As an independent digital experience agency, Perficient combines business and technology transformation capabilities, including a robust collection of supporting assets and tools, with a focus on the design and build of customer experiences. Perficient has strong personalization capabilities.”

Additionally, Perficient was named a Major Player in the IDC MarketScape for Customer Experience Strategy Consulting Services 2025 Vendor Assessment (Doc #US52973025, September 2025). We believe this inclusion reflects our commitment to delivering AI-first solutions that transform customer experiences through scalable, high-impact innovations. It establishes Perficient as a trusted partner, driving unmatched success in the experience-driven market of tomorrow.

Read the News Release: Perficient Named a Major Player in Three IDC MarketScapes For AI-First Approach to Customer Experience

What This Inclusion Means for Our Clients

Perficient continues to be a leader in experience strategy and design, helping clients align vision, accelerate innovation, and achieve lasting transformation. We enable businesses to embed AI into processes and deliver personalized customer experiences at scale. By expanding and strengthening alliances with partners, we ensure our solutions remain innovative and leading-edge, empowering clients to stay ahead in a dynamic market.

Exceptional CX is essential for growth and loyalty. Our expertise across platforms and global delivery ensures brands can quickly adapt, innovate, and meet rising customer expectations. Explore our expertise to see how we can be a partner in your experience journey.

Perficient is proud to be included in the IDC ServiceScape: Worldwide and U.S. Microsoft Power Apps Low-Code/No-Code Custom Application Development Services, 2025 (Doc# US53748825 September 2025) report. We believe this inclusion highlights our commitment to helping enterprises accelerate innovation and streamline development through Microsoft Power Platform.

This IDC ServiceScape offers a comprehensive guide on the key capabilities of custom application development service providers using the Microsoft Power Apps low-code/no-code development platform, featuring services from companies including Perficient. The status of each service capability is categorized as fully supported, partially supported, partner provided, road map, or not supported, aiding services buyers in quickly identifying which vendors align with their changing requirements.

Powering Innovation with Microsoft Power Platform

As digital transformation accelerates, low-code/no-code platforms are becoming essential tools for agility and innovation. Perficient is proud to be included in this evolving landscape and remains committed to delivering solutions that drive real business outcomes.

“Our approach to Power Platform is rooted in strategy, scale, and speed. We’re not just building apps—we’re enabling transformation. By combining governance frameworks, multi-shore delivery, and AI-powered experiences, we help clients unlock the full potential of low-code development and drive meaningful business outcomes.” – Eric Schmitt, Director of Microsoft Business Applications.

Perficient offers a comprehensive suite of low-code/no-code services designed to accelerate transformation:

• App modernization programs to migrate legacy systems to Power Platform
• Intelligent automation and rapid RPA migration (e.g., UiPath to Power Automate Desktop)
• Custom Copilot envisioning workshops and enterprise app development
• Governance engagements including CoE setup and citizen developer enablement
• Process mining and lifecycle management
• Multi-shore delivery models with agile development pods and managed services

We’re also increasing investment in Copilot Studio Agents, helping clients build custom functionality and deploy agents within Power Platform environments. Our governance frameworks ensure scalable, secure adoption—whether you’re enabling citizen developers or launching enterprise-wide automation programs.

Learn more about our Power Platform capabilities: Power Platform / Perficient

Perficient is a global digital consultancy with over 7,000 colleagues worldwide, operating as one unified team across North America, LATAM, and India. With deep expertise in industries like Healthcare & Life Sciences, Manufacturing, and Automotive, we deliver strategic technology solutions that drive measurable outcomes. Our Microsoft practice is backed by more than 25 years of experience and over 250 certified cloud consultants, with strong capabilities in Azure, M365, Dynamics CRM, and Power Platform.

Perficient differentiates through global delivery, scalability, and robust governance. With 95% of our business coming from repeat clients, we’re proud to be a trusted partner in building AI-first, low-code solutions that deliver real business value.

Ready to move from ambition to impact? Let’s define your low-code strategy and build the foundation to lead what’s next.

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the digital landscape, organizations are seeking clarity on how to strategically integrate AI into their digital experience platforms (DXPs). In its latest report, The Impact of AI on Digital Experience Platforms, Forrester explores how DXP vendors are embedding AI agents to streamline experience operations and expand toolsets — from copilots to code generators. Perficient was proud to contribute its DXP and AI expertise to this research, joining the group of vendors and service providers interviewed for the report. 

“Generative AI (GenAI) is reshaping digital experience platforms (DXPs) by automating content and campaign creation, powering intelligent copilots for marketers and developers, and boosting customer engagement through predictive insights and personalization.” —Forrester, The Impact of AI on Digital Experience Platforms

Why AI Belongs in the DXP Conversation

Today’s tech leaders face a growing challenge: delivering consistent, personalized experiences across a fragmented landscape of devices, channels, and customer expectations. DXPs are uniquely positioned to address this complexity. As Forrester notes, DXPs are rich in customer interaction data, support high-value business outcomes, and serve a diverse set of practitioners — all of which make them fertile ground for AI innovation. 

“DXP is a trove of trusted customer interaction data… Unleashing AI on this data enables organizations to understand audience intent and respond to that intent with irresistible offers.” — Forrester, The Impact of AI on Digital Experience Platforms

And Perficient’s experts agree that DXPs are a great place to start when integrating AI into experience delivery. 

“Marketing and IT leaders are under pressure to deliver personalized, omnichannel experiences at scale, and that’s exactly where DXPs shine. By embedding AI into the core of these platforms, clients can unlock the full value of their customer data and streamline operations across content, commerce, and campaigns,” said Mark Polly, Perficient Principal, Customer Experience Platforms.  

Agentic AI Ushers in a New Era of Experience Operations

The report highlights the rise of agentic AI and how these intelligent agents operate within DXPs to automate tasks, answer questions, and optimize workflows. These agents are transforming how marketers, developers, and content creators interact with their platforms, reducing friction and accelerating time to value. 

Perficient’s experience with orchestration tools and AI agents reinforces this trend. While many vendors offer orchestration capabilities, Perficient often helps clients integrate these tools across their broader tech ecosystem. 

” For marketing and IT leaders, true orchestration moves beyond linear workflows; it’s about integrating platforms like AEM and Optimizely to create a dynamic, responsive system. This integration is the key to driving operational efficiency and gaining the unified insights needed for deeper customer engagement. AI agents play a critical role here, transforming those rigid workflows into the real-time orchestration that a modern customer journey demands. Adoption is still in its early stages, which is where we help clients build a strategic advantage,” said Perficient digital strategy principal Grant Davies. 

Emerging GenAI Use Cases in DXPs

From brand-aware content creation to code generation and experimentation, GenAI is also rapidly expanding its footprint in DXP environments. Vendors like Adobe, Sitecore, and Salesforce are launching copilots and agents that empower users to create, test, and optimize experiences with unprecedented speed and precision. 

Perficient is already helping clients explore these capabilities and align them with business goals. 

Polly said, “We’re seeing real momentum around GenAI use cases in DXP from brand-consistent content creation to intelligent experimentation. These capabilities aren’t just flashy features; they’re solving real business problems like reducing time to market and improving conversion rates. The key is aligning AI with measurable outcomes and ensuring strong governance.” 

Perficient Wins 2025 Artificial Intelligence Excellence Award for GenAI Integrity Accelerator   Learn More

Strategic Adoption Requires Strong Foundations 

Successful AI adoption in DXPs requires more than just technology. Organizations must invest in strong data foundations, human oversight, and change management to ensure responsible and effective use of AI. These are areas where Perficient continues to guide clients with strategic consulting and hands-on implementation. 

We believe our inclusion in the research for Forrester’s report, The Impact of AI on Digital Experience Platforms, reflects our deep expertise in helping enterprise clients implement and optimize DXPs. Whether it’s integrating predictive analytics, deploying cognitive copilots, or improving data governance, our teams are leading the way in enabling AI-powered transformation. 

We’re honored to be interviewed for this research and proud to contribute to the evolving conversation around AI in digital experience. If you’re exploring how to bring AI into your DXP strategy, we invite you to connect with us and keep the conversation going. 

Access the report here (available to Forrester subscribers or for purchase).

Contact us  to learn more. 

Customer experience (CX) continues to be a defining factor in business success. In a digital-first world, even a single poor interaction can drive customers to competitors, contributing to an estimated $1.6 trillion in annual losses in the U.S. alone. On the other hand, exceptional omnichannel experiences build trust, deepen loyalty, and turn customers into lifelong advocates.

Perficient included in IDC Market Glance: Customer Experience Services, 2025

We’re proud to share that Perficient has once again been included in the category of IT Services Providers in the IDC Market Glance: Customer Experience Services, 2Q25 report (doc #US52469525, June 2025).

According to IDC, “Agentic AI and GenAI are working their way into marketing and sales technologies and services, beginning with a pragmatic focus on automating, improving and scaling existing business processes and offerings. New AI-based business models have yet to emerge, but AI is already putting existing CX services under pressure to change.”

Embracing an AI-First Future

As part of our AI-first company mission, Perficient is committed to helping organizations harness the power of artificial intelligence to revolutionize customer experiences. From the use of generative AI in content creation and virtual agents, to intelligent automation and predictive analytics, we’re enabling businesses to unlock new levels of personalization, efficiency, and growth.

Strategy Meets Innovation

Our strategists use Journey Science, a core component of our Envision Framework, to help clients identify opportunities, define a customer-centric vision, and build a prioritized roadmap for transformation. This approach ensures that every touchpoint is optimized to deliver seamless, personalized, and measurable experiences.

Operationalizing CX with Data and AI

The future of CX is rooted in customer obsession—and we help you execute that vision. By combining deep customer insights with AI-powered tools and data-driven strategies, we enable organizations to deliver extraordinary value at every stage of the customer journey.

Ready to elevate your customer experience strategy? Explore how Perficient’s AI-first approach and CX expertise can help you drive measurable results: Customer Experience + Digital Marketing Services | Perficient

AI this, AI that. It seems like everyone is trying to shoehorn AI into everything even if it doesn’t make sense. Many of the use cases I come across online are either not a fit for AI or could be easily done without it. However, below I explore a use case that is not only a good fit, but also very much accelerated by the use of AI.

The Use Case

In the retail world, sometimes you have products that don’t seem to sell well even though they might be very similar to another product that does. Being able to group these products and analyze them as a cohort is the first useful step in understanding why.

The Data and Toolset

For this particular exercise I will be using a retail sales dataset from Zara that I got from Kaggle. It contains information about sales as well as the description of the items.

The tools I will be using are:

• • Ollama (to run LLMs locally)

• • Gemma3 LLM

• • Python
    • • Pandas
    • • Langchain

• • Power BI

High-level actions

I spend a lot of my time design solutions and one thing I’ve learned is that creating a high-level workflow is crucial in the early stages of solutioning. It allows for quick critique, communication, and change, if needed. This particular solution is not very complex, nevertheless, below are the high-level actions we will be performing.

1. Load the csv data onto memory using Pandas
2. Create a Vector Store to store our embeddings.
   1. Embed the description of the products
3. Modify the Pandas dataframe to accommodate the results we want to get.
4. Create a template that will be sent to the LLM for analysis
5. Process each product on its own
   1. Get a list of comparable products based on the description. (This is where we leverage the LLM)
   2. Capture comparable products
   3. Rank the comparable products based on sales volume
6. Output the data onto a new CSV
7. Load the CSV onto PowerBI for visualization
   1. Add thresholding and filters.

The Code

All of the code for this exercise can be found here

The Template

Creating a template to send to the LLM is crucial. You can play around with it to see what works best and modify it to fit your scenario. What I used was this:

template = """<br>    You are an expert business analyst that specializes in retail sales analysis.<br>    The data you need is provided below. It is in dictionary format including:<br>    "Product Position": Where the product is positioned within the store,<br>    "Sales Volume": How many units of a given product were sold,<br>    "Product Category": The category for the product,<br>    "Promotion": Whether or not the product was sold during a promotion.<br>    There is additional information such as the name of the product, price, description, and more.<br>    Here is all the data you need to answer questions: {data}<br>    Here is the question to answer: {question}<br>    When referencing products, add a list of the Product IDs at the end of your response in the following format: 'product_ids = [<id1>, <id2>, ... ]'.<br>"""

When we iterate, we will use the following as the question:

question = f"Look for 5 products that loosely match this description: {product['description']}?"

The output

Once python does its thing and iterates over all the products we get something like this:

Power BI

We then load the data onto Power BI to visualize it better. This will allow us to not only analyze the data using filtering and conditional formatting, but we can also explore the data even further with Copilot.

Look at the screenshot below. I’ve initially setup conditional formatting so that all the products that rank low within their group are highlighted.

I then used Copilot to ask how all of these relate to each other. It was quick to point out that all of them were jackets.

This arms us with enough information to go down a narrower search to figure out why the products are not performing. Some other questions we could ask are:

1. Is this data seasonal and only includes summer sales?
2. How long have these jackets been on sale?
3. Are they all sold within a specific region or along all the stores?
4. etc.

Conclusion

Yes, there are many, many use cases that don’t make sense for AI, however there are many that do! I hope that what you just read sparks some creativity in how you can use AI to further analyze data. The one thing to remember is that in order for AI to work as it should, it needs contextual information about the data. That can be accomplished via semantic layers. To know more, got to my post on semantic layers. 

Do you have a business problem and need to talk to an expert about how to go about it? Are you unsure how AI can help? Reach out and we can talk about it!

Isn’t SFO an airport?  The airport one would travel if the destination is Oracle’s Redwood Shores campus.  Widely known as the initialism for the San Francisco International Airport, the answer would be correct if this question were posed in that context.  However, in Oracle Fusion, SFO stands for the Supply Chain Financial Orchestration. Based on what it does, we cannot call it an airport, but it sure is a control tower for financial transactions.

As companies are expanding their presence across countries and continents through mergers and acquisitions or natural growth, it becomes inevitable for the companies to transact across the borders and produce intercompany financial transactions.

Supply Chain Financial Orchestration (SFO), is the place where Oracle Fusion handles those transactions. The material may move one way, but for legal or financial reasons the financial flow could be following a different path.

A Typical Scenario

A Germany-based company sells to its EU customers from its Berlin office, but ships from its warehouses in New Delhi and Beijing.

Oracle Fusion SFO takes care of all those transactions and as transactions are processed in Cost Management, financial trade transactions are created, and corporations can see their internal margins, intercompany accounting, and intercompany invoices.

Oh wait, the financial orchestration doesn’t have to be across countries only.  What if a corporation wants to measure its manufacturing and sales operations profitability?  Supply Chain Financial Orchestration is there for you.

In short, SFO is a tool that is part of the Supply Chain management offering that helps create intercompany trade transactions for various business cases.

Contact Mehmet Erisen at Perficient for more introspection of this functionality, and how Perficient and Oracle Fusion Cloud can digitalize and modernize your ERP platform.

www.oracle.com

www.perficient.com

Roeslein & Associates 

Business Challenge + Opportunity 

Replaced disparate and outdated legacy systems with Oracle Fusion Cloud Manufacturing at a well-established manufacturing company.  We implemented a scalable Fusion solution, including Project Driven Supply Chain (PDSC), and full Financial and Supply Chain Management Suites to enable Roeslein to execute and extend their business processes globally. 

The challenge in manufacturing was to set standard manufacturing processes to fulfill highly customized demand originating from their customers. In addition, Perficient designed a Supply Chain Data Architecture to support the functionality of the solution. 

Achievements

• Created Global Solution Template to be used globally 

• Redesigned Enterprise Structure to enable Roeslein to track profits in different business units. 

• Defined processes to execute standard manufacturing processes for custom and highly flexible manufacturing demand 

• Implemented Project Driven Supply Chain including Inventory, Manufacturing, Order Management, Procurement and Cost Management 

• Implemented Solutions to support aftermarket part orders in addition to Manufacturing Orders 

• Designed two Integration between Fusion and UKG to support labor capture in Manufacturing and Projects 

• Built Integration between Roeslein’s  eCommerce Platform and Fusion to support of their Aftermarket Business 

Contact Mehmet Erisen at Perficient for more introspection of this phenomenal achievement.  Congratulations to Roeslein & Associates and their entire staff! 

Perficient’s experts recently attended Shoptalk Spring in Las Vegas, immersing themselves in three days of meetings and networking with brands and partners amidst the lively atmosphere of smoke-filled hallways, pulsating music, and dazzling lasers. Justin Racine, Principal of Commerce, shared his insights with CMSWire, and we’ve highlighted some of his key takeaways below.

The Golden Age of Retail

Retail and customer experience are about to enter a transformative era—the Golden Age of retail. From the advent of department stores to the rise of shopping malls, consumers and brands are now shifting focus toward people over products. Businesses are increasingly prioritizing human connections, bringing joy and excitement back into shopping. Retail will serve as a medium for inspiring consumers to explore who they are, express their identity, and connect with the world around them.

Creating Customer Connections at Gap

Justin had the opportunity to hear from Gap CEO Richard Dickson, who underscored the importance of fostering meaningful connections between brands and their consumers. According to Dickson, Gap’s mission is to create products that empower customers to express their individuality. “We pride ourselves on giving customers the ability to make Gap their own—to wear it the way they want,” Dickson explained. He emphasized that while price and affordability matter, customers are willing to invest in experiences and products that elevate their sense of self.

Gap has successfully cultivated generational loyalty by creating memorable experiences for families. Parents shop at Gap for their kids, and those children grow up wearing the brand, forming a deep emotional connection. These cherished memories are often captured in photos, further embedding the brand into customers’ lives. By facilitating connections on a deeper, emotional level, Gap builds lasting generational impact and loyalty.

AI in Advertisements: A Conversation with Meta

While Shoptalk Spring emphasized the human side of consumer behavior, discussions around AI inevitably arose. Clara Shih, VP of Business AI at Meta explored the future of branding through AI, focusing on Meta’s Advantage+ toolset. This suite enables businesses to deliver targeted media and content across various channels. Shih showcased new features, including location-based ads on Facebook that integrate maps directing customers to nearby stores. Another demo highlighted AI-powered live chat within ads, allowing consumers to engage with brands directly in their active channel. These innovative features fulfill customers’ desire for seamless interaction and enhance their ability to connect with brands on a humanistic level.

A Conversation with Liza Lefkowski of Wayfair

Wayfair is also deepening its understanding of customers through the integration of data and experience. Liza Lefkowski, Chief Merchant and VP of Stores at Wayfair, discussed the brand’s expansion into physical retail and its aim to inspire and excite consumers. During her session, Lefkowski explained how store associates provide personalized guidance, bridging the gap left by an exclusively online presence. This approach fosters emotional connections between customers and the brand. “Stores are designed to stand on their own but also integrate seamlessly into the overall customer experience—it’s the immersive manifestation of Wayfair,” she said.

Retail Should Spark Emotion, Not Just Transactions

This spring marked Justin’s first time attending Shoptalk Spring, but the themes from the event echoed those from Shoptalk Fall last year: retail must delight, surprise, and connect with customers. While technology and AI are crucial, human connections remain the cornerstone of retail success. By inspiring customers to be the best versions of themselves, brands can create genuine, personal relationships that drive loyalty and satisfaction.

For more insights, visit Perficient’s retail and commerce expertise page.

To read Justin’s full article, head over to CMSWire.

Shoptalk Spring 2025 in Las Vegas is only a few weeks away, and our experts cannot wait to reconnect with brands and discuss where the industry is headed. They have been busy scheduling meetings, packing their mics, and making predictions about which technologies and strategies retailers and ecommerce brands will be placing their bets on this year.  What do they believe is a safe bet?

Will you be there? Let’s schedule some time to chat over a coffee, tea, or cocktail.

An Agenda that Centers On the Customer

Nothing tells the story of ecommerce and retail this year quite like the topics making up the conference’s agenda. Across the agenda, key themes rise to the top like innovation in retail media, customer centricity, the concept of hospitality within retail, and the transformation of customer journeys using new technologies. Justin Racine, Principal of Commerce Strategy, points out that he is most looking forward to hearing from Liza Lefkowski, Chief Merchant and VP of Stores for Wayfair. She will discuss Muse, their new AI-powered tool for personalized home shopping and how it will lead to better customer experience. Another keynote that our senior strategist, Timm Henderlight, is excited about is “Re-Imagining Gap for a New Golden Age,” presented by Richard Dickson, President and CEO of Gap Inc. While this session focuses on unified commerce, there will be additional sessions on ecommerce personalization and retail media strategies.

Our team is eager to listen in and be a part of the conversation about what it means to be customer-centric and how brands and consumers need to come together to humanize the shopping experience. More than ever, brands are embracing connection with their customers and creating a personal experience rather than a transactional one.

Will Brands Take Risks or Play It Safe?

Our experts are going all-in on several bets that retailers might be taking, including mobile apps, augmented reality, and increased AI usage. The house doesn’t always win, however, and Timm suggests that a few capabilities parallel each other. There’s going to be continued discussion about AI and how it’s going to change the industry, but ample opportunities for personalization at scale are often missed by retailers. We’ll continue to see disconnected experiences, whether customers are searching or browsing, usually due to retailers using different technologies. Customer identity resolution and customer data platforms will continue to play a role and should be part of everyone’s personalization strategy.

As more companies move towards personalization, our team recommends brands keep these key points in mind when deciding on a solution:

1. Primarily ensure you are not creating friction in the experience.
2. Be able to identify the customer both online and offline through previous order history and customer affinities.
3. Track intersession data when a customer is not logged in and augment the experience based on how the customer was attracted to the website.
4. Represent the customer journey from a mobile ad or paid advertisement throughout the entire experience, augmenting based on real-time signals from the customer.

Staying relevant in retail is an ongoing challenge, and it means understanding the customer across all channels. It requires having a clear omnichannel strategy and understanding how the journey inside the store touches the digital footprint. In the future, there’s the potential for beacon technology being implemented in physical retail environments, which will track your movements between departments to give in-store associates access to your previous behaviors. This will help guide the store associates and yourself to purchases you’re most likely to make based on where you’ve been. Of course, there’s so much more beyond this, and our experts can’t wait to meet with brands and discuss new opportunities during the event.

For now, watch your step: the future has a lot in store. Stay up-to-date with all the new innovations in commerce, retail + distribution, and consumer goods.

Will you be there? Let’s schedule some time to chat over a coffee, tea, or cocktail.

With most systems transitioning to cloud-based environments, databases are often hosted across various cloud platforms. However, during the development cycle, there are occasions when having access to a local database environment becomes crucial, particularly for analyzing and troubleshooting issues originating in the production environment.

Sometimes, it is necessary to restore the production database to a local environment to diagnose and resolve production-related issues effectively. This allows developers to replicate and investigate issues in a controlled setting, ensuring efficient debugging and resolution.

In an Azure cloud environment, database backups are often exported as .bacpac files. The file must be imported and restored locally to work with these databases in a local environment.

There are several methods to achieve this, including:

1. Using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).
2. Using the SqlPackage command-line.

This article will explore the steps to import a .bacpac file into a local environment, focusing on practical and straightforward approaches.

The first approach—using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)—is straightforward and user-friendly. However, challenges arise when dealing with large database sizes, as the import process may fail due to resource limitations or timeouts.

The second approach, using the SqlPackage command-line, is recommended in such cases. This method offers more control over the import process, allowing for better handling of larger .bacpac files.

Steps to Import a .bacpac File Using SqlPackage

1. Download SqlPackage

• Navigate to the SqlPackage download page: SqlPackage Download.
• Ensure you download the .NET 6 version of the tool, as the .NET Framework version may have issues processing databases with very large tables.

2. Install the Tool

• Follow the instructions under the “Windows (.NET 6)” header to download and extract the tool.
• After extracting, open a terminal in the directory where you extracted SqlPackage.

3. Run SqlPackage

• Put .bacpac file into the package folder.(ex: C:\sqlpackage-win7-x64-en-162.1.167.1)
• Use the following example command in the terminal to import the .bacpac file:
• powershell
  SqlPackage /a:Import /tsn:"localhost" /tdn:"test" /tu:"sa" /tp:"Password1" /sf:"database-backup-filename.bacpac" /ttsc:True /p:DisableIndexesForDataPhase=False /p:PreserveIdentityLastValues=True

4. Adjust Parameters for Your Setup

• /tsn: The server name (IP or hostname) of your SQL Server instance, optionally followed by a port (default: 1433).
• /tdn: The name of the target database (must not already exist).
• /tu: SQL Server username.
• /tp: SQL Server password.
• /sf: The path to your .bacpac file (use the full path or ensure the terminal is in the same directory).

5. Run and Wait

• Let the tool process the import. The time taken will depend on the size of the database.

Important: Ensure the target database does not already exist, as .bacpac files can only be imported into a fresh database.

The options /p:DisableIndexesForDataPhase and /p:PreserveIdentityLastValues optimize the import process for large databases and preserve identity column values. SqlPackage provides more reliability and flexibility than SSMS, especially when dealing with more extensive databases.

Reference:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/database-import?view=azuresql&tabs=azure-powershell

The rapidly evolving payments industry is driving industry leaders to adapt their strategies in response to emerging trends. As technology advances and consumer expectations shift, staying ahead of these trends is crucial for success.

Payments Trend #1: AI-Driven Payment Innovations

The landscape of payments and financial services in 2025 will be marked by groundbreaking innovations and user-centric designs powered by Generative AI (GenAI). The industry faces numerous challenges, including protecting sensitive data, navigating evolving regulations, and outdated legacy systems. As these AI technologies evolve, they will transform consumer interactions with payment systems, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable financial ecosystem. This transformation will require a delicate balance between innovation and compliance, ensuring that advancements in AI contribute to a secure and efficient payments landscape.

Recommended Approach: GenAI can assist various payment processes by creating personalized and tailored payment experiences through loyalty programs, discounts, and curated product recommendations. Additionally, AI can enhance accessibility and mobile development through voice and conversational payments, improving user experience. The conversational nature of GenAI will be crucial in making transactions seamless and frictionless for consumers. To harness AI’s potential effectively, it’s essential to develop a strategy that considers payment regulations to ensure consumer protection, data privacy, and ethical use of AI. The future of payments promises not only enhanced efficiency and security but also personalized experiences that align with broader societal values.

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Payments Trend #2: The Rise of Real-Time Payments

Real-time payments in the US are expected to see widespread adoption across various sectors, driven by the integration of embedded finance, enhanced biometric authentication, and improved accessibility for consumers and businesses. Traditional payment methods like checks and ACH transfers are likely to decline, especially in business-to-business transactions. Consumers are increasingly using mobile wallets and embedded payments in non-financial platforms, while businesses are leveraging the momentum of business-to-business real-time payments facilitated by networks like FedNow. However, the payment industry encounters challenges such as user education and awareness, integration complexities across platforms and financial institutions, and ongoing regulatory considerations.

Recommended Approach: Payment companies should adopt and expand real-time payment solutions, leveraging networks like FedNow and RTP. Embracing advanced security features such as biometric authentication will enhance user experience and protect data. Ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all consumers, including those underserved by traditional banking systems, is crucial. Additionally, businesses should explore new revenue models through premium features and address integration complexities with robust data governance and analytics. By focusing on these key areas, companies can effectively manage the challenges and opportunities presented by the widespread adoption of real-time payments.

Success In Action: Ensuring Interoperable, Compliant Real-Time Payments

Payments Trend #3: Navigating the New Regulatory Landscape

The payment industry faces drastic regulatory changes driven by the new administration. Ongoing changes to regulators, protocols, and best practices may have a lasting impact on nonbank financial companies (NBFCs), banks, fees, buy now, pay later (BNPL) services, payment apps, and digital wallets. These changes require significant adjustments in risk management, compliance frameworks, and operational protocols. Enforcing consumer protections will become a gray area, creating operational headaches for consumers and financial institutions. Additionally, the Consumer Credit Control Act (CCCA), currently under consideration, could have significant implications for payment providers. These regulatory changes impact banks and their third-party partners, requiring reassessment of partnerships and compliance strategies. Overall, companies need to adapt to these changes, leading to higher compliance costs, operational expense, and cultural shifts to thrive.

Recommended Approach:   To navigate these changes, businesses must balance innovation with compliance. AI will be pivotal in this transition, enabling automation of key compliance processes such as know your customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) checks. Additionally, AI’s capacity for real-time transaction monitoring and fraud prevention will help companies stay ahead of evolving regulatory demands.  The fintech industry, once celebrated for its agility and innovation, now faces a future shaped by heightened regulation. Leveraging AI-driven compliance solutions will be essential for managing global operations effectively in this increasingly complex landscape.

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Payments Trend #4: Optimizing Payment Orchestration Platforms

Payment orchestration platforms (POPs) are poised to play a critical role in the evolving payments landscape in 2025, driven by technological advancements, regulatory changes, and shifting consumer demands. The growth of cross-border transactions, fueled by global e-commerce expansion, necessitates platforms that can handle multiple payment methods, currencies, and compliance requirements. Advanced analytics and AI integration are becoming essential for improving transaction success rates, fraud detection, and overall business intelligence. Additionally, regulatory developments will shape the operation of POPs, aiming to enhance security and reduce fraud. Emerging regions like Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America are key growth areas, with partnerships enabling access to local payment methods.

Recommended approach: To navigate this trend, payment institutions should focus on several strategies. POPs market consolidation is leading to more robust, full-stack solutions that integrate orchestration capabilities into broader platforms. Embracing advanced analytics and AI tools will be crucial for optimizing payment processes and enhancing customer experiences. Institutions should also prioritize the implementation of smart checkout experiences to improve authorization rates and streamline payment options. Staying up to date with regulatory developments and ensuring compliance with new regulations like the third (PSD3) in the EU and the role of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) will be essential. Finally, integrating POPs with existing financial services and e-commerce platforms will modernize legacy systems and provide more seamless payment experiences, ensuring institutions remain competitive in the digital economy.

Success In Action: At the Heart of Financial Services

Payments Trend #5: The Rapid Adoption of Embedded Payments

Embedded payments are rapidly evolving, and 2025 will mark a major turning point for their adoption in the U.S. Businesses and consumers demand faster, more seamless transactions, driving the expansion of embedded payment solutions across industries. While e-commerce and fintech have been early adopters, industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, real estate, and B2B services are now integrating payment capabilities directly into their platforms. Expect more ERP systems, procurement platforms, and business management tools to embed payment functions, reducing reliance on third-party processors. As embedded payments become mainstream, U.S. regulators will tighten compliance requirements around data security, AML, and consumer protection.

Recommended Approach: Companies must meet evolving KYC and compliance standards, fostering trust and security in digital transactions. Beyond payments, businesses should integrate lending, insurance, and investment options directly into their platforms through embedded finance. Partnering with Banking as a Service (BaaS) providers will allow companies to offer customers seamless access to financial products without switching platforms, further blurring the lines between traditional banking and digital platforms. Additionally, adopting tokenized payments, stablecoins, and decentralized finance (DeFi) integrations within embedded payment systems will be crucial. With Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal leading the charge, expect an increase in one-click, biometric, and voice-activated payments built into everyday digital experiences. Companies that fail to integrate seamless payment experiences risk losing customers to competitors offering faster, frictionless transactions.

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Payments Trend #6: Crypto and Payments Intersect

In 2024, crypto made a strong comeback, with Bitcoin surpassing $100,000, driven by its integration into exchange-traded funds. The industry has matured, with blockchain innovations extending beyond crypto enthusiasts and into mainstream finance. Traditional financial institutions are increasingly leveraging blockchain to address complex challenges, while the U.S. continues efforts to regulate and integrate digital assets effectively. Emphasis on security, trust, and usability is essential for blockchain’s success. With these elements in place, financial institutions are embracing blockchain-based solutions, including tokenized money and assets, to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.

Recommended Approach: Companies should explore the coexistence of stablecoins and tokenized deposits. Banks are investigating tokenized deposits, blockchain-based representations of commercial deposits, to enable faster settlements and programmable payments. Meanwhile, stablecoins, pegged to fiat currency, are gaining traction in remittances and business transactions, with approximately $150 billion in circulation. A clear regulatory framework will strengthen their role, leading to an integrated system where tokenized assets and money interact seamlessly. Regulatory clarity will drive adoption, with the U.S. and EU providing models for certainty. Central banks focus on blockchain solutions for financial institutions, enhancing institutional settlements and facilitating faster cross-border capital movement. Interoperability and trust will be crucial, with institutional interest in crypto growing. The future of crypto is no longer speculative, it is becoming a fundamental part of the financial system.

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Navigating the Road Ahead

We help payment and fintech firms innovate and boost market position with transformative digital experiences and efficient operations.

• Business Transformation: Create a roadmap to innovate products, enhance experiences, and reduce transactional risk.
• Modernization: Implement technology to improve payment processing, fraud management, and omnichannel experiences.
• Data + Analytics: Proactively leverage integrated data and AI to optimize transactions, manage fraud, and personalize experiences.
• Risk + Compliance: Enhance compliance and risk management to safeguard transactions and customer data.
• Consumer Experience: Deliver convenient, seamless experiences with user-friendly secure payment solutions.

Discover why we have been trusted by 25+ leading payments and card processing companies. Explore our financial services expertise and contact us to learn more.