Latest news with #Alteryx
Techday NZ
3 days ago
- Business
- Techday NZ
AI & automation boost value of retail analysts amid old hurdles
New research from Alteryx has found that AI and analytics automation are significantly enhancing the strategic value and job satisfaction of data analysts within the retail sector. According to the "2025 State of the Data Analyst" report, compiled by Alteryx after surveying 280 analysts across retail and consumer goods globally, 93% of respondents said they have experienced a notable increase in the strategic importance of their role over the past year. This trend has been linked to significant investments in AI and automation within the industry. The report reveals that 89% of retail data analysts attribute an improvement in job satisfaction to the deployment of AI, while 86% believe analytics automation has bolstered their roles and helped retailers maintain competitiveness. A substantial proportion, 92%, believe that acquiring skills in AI and automation is essential for continued career development, underlining the growing importance of data-driven technologies in optimising retail operations. The survey also highlights that 53% of respondents feel AI solutions have saved them time, allowing greater focus on innovative tasks instead of routine processes. Benefits and expectations The findings show that over a third (39%) of retail analysts feel that the use of AI has exceeded their initial expectations during the past year. This optimism extends beyond personal benefits and into broader business impact, as automation provides them with more time to develop new ideas and streamline operational efficiency. Despite the positive impact, the report also outlines ongoing challenges within the sector. Specifically, the majority of retail data analysts continue to rely on older, manual methods for managing complex data. Seventy-seven percent say they still use spreadsheets such as Excel and Google Sheets for data cleansing and preparation, tasks that consume six to ten hours each week for 39% of those surveyed. The persistence of these processes is viewed as a major obstacle to achieving the full potential and value of AI in retail. Nearly half (48%) of respondents noted that faster problem-solving is a priority, but the time spent on manual data preparation hinders this objective. This, in turn, limits the agility retailers require to keep pace with shifting market demands and changing customer expectations. Technology fragmentation The research also explores the diversity of tools used for analysis in the sector. Seventy-eight percent of data analysts report using between three and ten different software platforms regularly for preparing and analysing data. When asked about their preferences, 69% would like to reduce this number to between one and four tools, suggesting a clear desire for more streamlined technology solutions. The strategic implications of slowing down data-driven projects through fragmented or outdated processes are also a key concern. As analysts attempt to integrate data for use in AI and automation, the use of multiple platforms can introduce delays and complexity, ultimately affecting the speed at which businesses can act on insights. Industry context and commentary Looking ahead, technology spend in the retail sector is forecast to experience sustained growth. PwC predicts that annual retail technology expenditure will increase by 10% each year until 2028, with a substantial portion dedicated to AI solutions. Alteryx's Chief Product Officer, Ben Canning, commented on the findings, stating: "PwC estimates that retail technology spending is set to grow by 10% each year to 2028, a significant increase compared to previous years. With so much of this increased spend being channelled into AI, retail leaders can't afford to ignore these findings. Data analysts are emerging as pivotal team members, using AI and automation to build the highly personalised journeys that customers love. However, friction from outdated data processes risks undermining this progress and making it harder for retail organisations to realise the full benefits of AI and automation. Retailers that modernise how data is processed and managed will be best positioned to unlock AI's full potential and gain a critical edge in an increasingly competitive market." The survey was conducted by Coleman Parkes with respondents from the Americas, EMEA, and APJ regions. Participants included those tasked with data preparation or business process improvement in retail and consumer goods, with direct experience in AI implementation. The report's findings highlight both the growing optimism among retail data analysts regarding the potential of AI and automation, and the practical obstacles the sector faces as it seeks to modernise data processes to fully capture the value these technologies promise.
Fast Company
3 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
The hidden step most companies miss in their AI strategy
When I talk to executives about rolling out AI in their organizations, all conversations have a similar sentiment. Leaders say, 'We're going all in on AI,' only to follow up with, 'But don't let it touch any of our data.' This contradiction leaves teams wavering between ambition and caution, unable to act. This hesitation is understandable. After all, 'bad' data isn't just inconvenient—it's dangerous. The risks around privacy, data security, and corporate intellectual property are real. But if we want AI to drive better decisions, faster actions, and more personalized experiences, we need a new process: a way to prepare, trust, and govern the data we feed our models. That's where the AI data clearinghouse comes into play, a concept that I've been testing as I speak with Alteryx customers around the world. Think of it like a pre-flight checklist for your enterprise data. No matter how advanced the aircraft, pilots simply don't take off without running through numerous safety checks. In the same way, before your data 'takes off' into your AI environment, it gets inspected, validated, and approved. This shift turns AI from a boardroom buzzword into something teams can trust. HIDDEN COSTS OF BAD DATA To understand why a clearinghouse approach matters, let's look at what happens when organizations skip this critical step. Gartner reports that organizations will abandon 60% of AI projects unsupported by AI-ready data. And that's not surprising; even the most sophisticated AI can't transform bad inputs into valuable insights. These data problems cascade throughout an organization. They start small—perhaps a pricing recommendation that doesn't align with market realities or a customer insight that misses crucial context, but the ripple effects spread quickly. Consider the California car dealership whose AI system negotiated a $1 car sale. That's not just an amusing anecdote—it represents real dollars lost and trust eroded. The hidden costs multiply from there: decision paralysis as executives question every AI recommendation, expensive systems that gather digital dust, and perhaps most damaging, a cultural resistance that whispers, 'Maybe we should stick to spreadsheets and gut instinct after all.' That's why we need to approach AI implementation with data quality, not algorithm sophistication, as our north star. THE AI DATA CLEARINGHOUSE APPROACH How do we bridge this divide between AI ambition and data reality? Enter the AI data clearinghouse, a strategic framework that ensures only approved, accurate, and context-rich data powers your AI. Think of it not as another layer in your already complex tech stack, but as an essential trust-building solution that works alongside your existing CRM, ERP, and data lakes. This approach combines validation checks that catch problems early, business context layers that give meaning to raw numbers, cross-departmental approval workflows, and traceable documentation of data sources and changes. What makes this work is putting human expertise at the center. I saw this firsthand with a retail customer where the marketing and customer success teams defined 'churn' differently: one used the last engagement date while the other used the previous purchase date. Their AI model mistakenly flagged thousands of active customers as lost, triggering unnecessary reactivation campaigns that confused customers. What if curiosity about how your organization defines its metrics became the foundation of your AI strategy? Data preparation becomes an opportunity to create shared understanding rather than a technical hurdle. BUILDING TRUSTED AI FOUNDATIONS The journey to bringing the AI data clearinghouse to life in your organization begins not with technology, but with people. Before writing a single line of code, focus on building cross-functional teams that bring diverse perspectives. The most successful AI initiatives always start with genuine leadership buy-in. Only after establishing this collaborative foundation should you identify which business processes would benefit most from AI enhancement. Where could better decisions create the most value? Where do teams struggle with information overload or repetitive analysis? With clear objectives in place, focus on mapping the critical data sources that will fuel your efforts. This isn't just about identifying systems like Salesforce or Workday; it's about connecting with the people who truly understand what the data means. As you build your data workflows, weave in regulatory considerations from the start. GDPR and emerging AI-specific frameworks aren't checkboxes to tick off at the end. Rather, they are design principles that should shape your approach from day one. Perhaps most importantly, create feedback loops that allow your system to evolve. Effective AI implementations aren't static; they continue to improve as business needs change and teams discover new insights about their data. THE TRUST TRANSFORMATION Implementing AI is ultimately a trust exercise, and everyone in the company has slightly different motives. Executives want a competitive edge. Analysts want clarity. Compliance teams want control. And end users just want to be sure the answer they get is the right one. The companies that will succeed with AI aren't necessarily those with the most advanced algorithms or the biggest tech investments. Success will come to organizations that build thoughtful connections between their existing data environments and new AI capabilities.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trevor Schulze Joins Genesys as Chief Information Officer
SAN FRANCISCO, June 09, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Genesys®, a global cloud leader in AI-Powered Experience Orchestration, today announced the appointment of Trevor Schulze as Chief Information Officer (CIO). Schulze will oversee the Genesys global information technology organization to further advance the company's AI and cloud strategy and support its continued growth. "Trevor is a transformational leader with a proven track record of driving enterprise innovation at scale," said Tony Bates, Chairman and CEO of Genesys. "His deep expertise in AI, cloud and customer-centric digital transformation will help us accelerate our vision of delivering the power of empathy to every customer experience." Schulze brings more than 30 years of experience driving business success through innovative technology solutions. Schulze joins Genesys from Alteryx, where he was most recently the senior vice president and Chief Digital and Information Officer, responsible for leading the company's digital transformation and enterprise AI initiatives. Prior to Alteryx, Schulze held CIO and senior leadership roles at RingCentral and Micron Technology, where he led strategic initiatives across enterprise AI, customer experience and cloud modernization. He has also held senior information technology positions at Broadcom Corporation, Advanced Micro Devices and Cisco Systems. "Genesys is redefining what is possible at the intersection of AI and customer experience orchestration," said Schulze. "The pace of innovation here is reshaping how technology can deliver powerful outcomes to organizations—with agentic AI emerging as a true differentiator. As we pioneer the next wave of customer experience transformation, my focus will be on strengthening our foundation to unlock new levels of value for our customers." About Genesys Genesys empowers more than 8,000 organizations in over 100 countries to improve loyalty and business outcomes by creating the best experiences for their customers and employees. Through Genesys Cloud, the AI-Powered Experience Orchestration platform, Genesys delivers the future of CX to organizations of all sizes so they can provide empathetic, personalized experience at scale. As the trusted platform that is born in the cloud, Genesys Cloud helps organizations accelerate growth by enabling them to differentiate with the right customer experience at the right time, while driving stronger workforce engagement, efficiency and operational improvements. Visit View source version on Contacts Janelle Dickerson Method Communications Genesys@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
09-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Trevor Schulze Joins Genesys as Chief Information Officer
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Genesys ®, a global cloud leader in AI-Powered Experience Orchestration, today announced the appointment of Trevor Schulze as Chief Information Officer (CIO). Schulze will oversee the Genesys global information technology organization to further advance the company's AI and cloud strategy and support its continued growth. 'Trevor is a transformational leader with a proven track record of driving enterprise innovation at scale,' said Tony Bates, Chairman and CEO of Genesys. 'His deep expertise in AI, cloud and customer-centric digital transformation will help us accelerate our vision of delivering the power of empathy to every customer experience.' Schulze brings more than 30 years of experience driving business success through innovative technology solutions. Schulze joins Genesys from Alteryx, where he was most recently the senior vice president and Chief Digital and Information Officer, responsible for leading the company's digital transformation and enterprise AI initiatives. Prior to Alteryx, Schulze held CIO and senior leadership roles at RingCentral and Micron Technology, where he led strategic initiatives across enterprise AI, customer experience and cloud modernization. He has also held senior information technology positions at Broadcom Corporation, Advanced Micro Devices and Cisco Systems. 'Genesys is redefining what is possible at the intersection of AI and customer experience orchestration,' said Schulze. 'The pace of innovation here is reshaping how technology can deliver powerful outcomes to organizations—with agentic AI emerging as a true differentiator. As we pioneer the next wave of customer experience transformation, my focus will be on strengthening our foundation to unlock new levels of value for our customers.' About Genesys Genesys empowers more than 8,000 organizations in over 100 countries to improve loyalty and business outcomes by creating the best experiences for their customers and employees. Through Genesys Cloud, the AI-Powered Experience Orchestration platform, Genesys delivers the future of CX to organizations of all sizes so they can provide empathetic, personalized experience at scale. As the trusted platform that is born in the cloud, Genesys Cloud helps organizations accelerate growth by enabling them to differentiate with the right customer experience at the right time, while driving stronger workforce engagement, efficiency and operational improvements. Visit
Cision Canada
23-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Compass Analytics Achieves Alteryx Authorized Professional Services Partner (APSP)
Milestone recognizes Compass's proven Alteryx expertise and trusted implementation capabilities MONTREAL, May 23, 2025 /CNW/ - Compass Analytics, a leading Canadian data consulting firm, is proud to announce its certification as an Alteryx Authorized Professional Services Partner (APSP) — a designation reserved for partners who demonstrate deep technical expertise and consistent success in implementing Alteryx solutions. The Alteryx APSP program enables customers to easily identify and engage with partners who demonstrate advanced product knowledge, certified consultants, and a consistent track record of delivering measurable results. As an APSP, Compass joins an elite group of partners capable of leading strategic deployments of Alteryx. "This achievement is a testament to Compass Analytics' commitment to excellence and proven ability to drive transformative outcomes for clients using Alteryx," said Ben Sudol, Strategic Alliances Manager at Alteryx. As an Alteryx Authorized Professional Services Partner (APSP), Compass Analytics brings: Certified Alteryx professionals with hands-on implementation experience Proven delivery methodologies and planning frameworks A strong track record of customer satisfaction and success A passion for solving complex business challenges and making customers successful "We are thrilled to achieve the highest level of certification and recognition from Alteryx," said William Chan, Co-Founder & CEO at Compass Analytics. "This recognition further confirms Compass as one of North America's leading data analytics consulting firms and is a testament to our team's expertise and capabilities. We are deeply grateful to our clients for trusting us to deliver their most impactful projects." Compass Analytics becoming APSP certified further positions Compass Analytics as a strategic partner for organizations looking to accelerate their analytics initiatives and maximize ROI with Alteryx. To learn more about Compass Analytics and its Alteryx capabilities, visit About Compass Analytics Compass Analytics is a premier Canadian data consulting firm specializing in digital transformation planning, data engineering, machine learning, and application development. Partnering with some of the world's largest multinational companies, Compass Analytics delivers innovative tools and solutions that empower clients to gain a competitive edge in their respective industries. About Alteryx Alteryx offers a leading AI Platform for Enterprise Analytics that delivers actionable insights by automating analytics. Alteryx helps enterprises transform complex, disconnected data into a clean, AI-ready state. Whether you're creating financial forecasts, analyzing supplier performance, segmenting customer data, analyzing employee retention, or building competitive AI applications from your proprietary data, Alteryx makes it easy to cleanse, blend, and analyze data to unlock the unique insights that drive impactful decisions.
