An Interview with the Chairman of Digital Wave Technology

A Conversation with Bernie Brennan of Digital Wave Technology

A Chairman’s Perspective: Leading Through the Digital Retail Revolution

The retail and consumer goods industries are undergoing profound transformation. New technologies, shifting customer expectations, and the explosion of data have created both massive challenges and unprecedented opportunities. To explore what it takes to lead through this era of change, we sat down with Bernie Brennan, Chairman of Digital Wave Technology and a seasoned executive across leading retailers, brands, and technology companies. 

In this exclusive interview, Bernie shares his perspective on the current state of the industry, the mindset leaders must embrace and how Digital Wave’s ONE™ Platform is designed to help future-proof organizations with AI-native capabilities, extensible solutions, and a powerful foundation in Master Data Management. 

Q1: Bernie, you've served as CEO and Chairman across leading retailers, brands, and technology solution companies. What recommendations would you offer to those leading retail and consumer brands today? 

Brennan: One thing I’ve learned over the years is that success in this industry depends on your ability to evolve. The pace of change today driven by AI, data, and consumer expectations is unlike anything we’ve seen before. My advice to leaders is simple: don’t wait. Invest in systems that can adapt, scale, and grow with your business. Break down internal silos, empower your teams with accurate data, and use technology to automate where it matters most. Those who embrace transformation proactively will thrive. Those who hesitate risk falling behind. 

Q2: What exactly is the ONE™ Platform? 

Brennan: The ONE™ Platform is a modern, AI-native rapid development master data management platform. ONE™ is designed to unify and optimize every critical area across the enterprise. On top of the platform there are extensible solutions for Master Data Management, Product Information Management, Content Generation, Merchandising, Pricing, and Supply Chain. It’s an end-to-end ecosystem built for scalability, speed, and continuous innovation in one place. 

Q3: Why is the ONE™ Platform so transformative for retailers and brands? 

Brennan: Because it finally connects the dots. For too long, companies have been stuck with disconnected systems that limit agility. The ONE™ Platform changes that by eliminating silos, enabling real-time insights, and automating processes that have been holding businesses back. It’s not just about doing things faster—it’s about making smarter decisions that drive growth and profitability. 

Q4: What role does Master Data Management play in the foundation of the ONE™ Platform? 

Brennan: Master Data Management is the foundation. Without accurate, centralized data, nothing else works. MDM powers every module in the platform—whether it’s pricing, inventory, content, or supply chain—by ensuring everyone is working from a single source of truth. That’s what enables consistency, speed, and confidence across the business. 

Q5: Many platforms claim to offer AI. How is your AI-native approach different? 

Brennan: A lot of platforms tack on AI or partner with another company to add AI. Digital Wave Technology’s platform is built from the ground up with AI and GenAI. From GenAI product attribution to dynamic pricing recommendations and predictive merchandising, AI powers how the platform operates. It’s deeply embedded, not an extra feature, which means it delivers real value at every level. 

Q6: How does rapid development factor into your platform strategy? 

Brennan: It’s essential. Markets move quickly, and our customers need to respond just as fast. That’s why we’ve built the ONE™ Platform with rapid application development empowering customers to create AI-powered applications ten times faster. By having access to the master data and rapid development, you can launch new solutions in days, not weeks. This is a huge advantage when you’re trying to stay ahead of consumer expectations or shifting demand. 

Q7: What makes the solutions on the ONE™ Platform extensible—and why does that matter? 

Brennan: Every solution on the ONE™ Platform whether it’s pricing, product information, or assortment planning is designed to be extensible. In addition to our customers receiving solutions configured to their unique business needs and workflow, the customer can extend the solutions without compromising the integrity of the platform. It’s a major differentiator. You get enterprise-grade power with startup-like agility. 

Q8: Retailers and brands have struggled for years with fragmented systems. How does the ONE™ Platform solve this? 

Brennan: We built the platform to bring everything together. Fragmented systems create duplication, inefficiency, and risk. The ONE™ Platform integrates all data, workflows, and AI applications into a single, synchronized environment. That leads to faster decisions, fewer errors, and better customer experiences. 

Q9: How does the platform improve operational efficiency and profitability? 

Brennan: When everything is connected and intelligent, the gains are exponential. The ONE™ Platform automates time-consuming processes, reduces dependency on multiple tools or agencies, and enables smarter forecasting and planning. Our customers can reduce costs, optimize pricing, speed up launches, and scale content—all with measurable impact to the bottom line. 

Q10: Where do you see retailers and CPG brands heading in the next few years—and how does Digital Wave fit into that future? 

Brennan: We’re entering a new era where speed, intelligence, and adaptability define winners. Retailers and CPG brands will need to move away from legacy systems and embrace platforms that give them real-time visibility, intelligent automation, and the power to build new capabilities fast. Digital Wave is at the center of that shift. We’re not just providing technology—we’re giving companies the tools to lead. 

The pace of innovation isn’t slowing, and neither can today’s retailers and brands. As Bernie shared, success in this fast-moving landscape requires connected systems, intelligent automation, and a relentless focus on transformation. 

The ONE™ Platform was purpose-built to meet those demands. With rapid application development, extensible solutions, and enterprise-grade data integrity, it’s more than a platform—it’s a new way forward. 

Ready to see how the ONE™ Platform can help your business move faster and smarter? Schedule a demo today.