FAQ on IT interim management, retail IT and AI consulting
Interim management, roles, costs, process and our senior network — answered clearly and honestly.
Services and project areas
What is retail IT project management — and what does JJW Retail IT do?
Retail IT project management means leading IT initiatives in retail: POS and checkout systems, merchandise management, omnichannel, logistics and international store rollouts. JJW Project Solutions, based in Vienna, provides experienced project, programme and interim managers with a retail background. Every placement is personally vetted by founder Jeremy James Wilhelm, who brings over 25 years of international retail IT experience. More on Retail IT Project Management.
Which projects is JJW Retail IT suited for?
Mission-critical IT and transformation projects in retail: POS and checkout rollouts, ERP and merchandise management migrations, omnichannel and e-commerce integration, logistics and WMS integration, and international store rollouts. Typical systems from our mandates include SAP S/4HANA Retail, SAP Omnichannel POS by GK / Cloud4Retail and Infor M3.
What is interim management — and when is an interim manager worth it?
An interim manager takes on leadership and decision-making responsibility in your company for a limited time. That pays off when an IT leadership role is vacant, during a transformation, in a project crisis or a restructuring — whenever someone has to be effective immediately and a permanent hire would take too long. JJW's interim managers know retail operations, store processes and checkout systems from hands-on practice, and hand over in a structured way once the job is done.
Project manager, programme manager or interim manager — which do we need?
That depends on your situation. A project manager leads a clearly scoped initiative with defined goals and deadlines. A programme manager steers several connected projects with strong dependencies, such as an international rollout. An interim manager closes a leadership gap and takes on leadership and decision-making responsibility for a limited time. All profiles have proven seniority; we work out which role fits in the free intro call. Overview: retail IT services.
Which retail sectors does JJW cover?
Grocery retail, fashion & lifestyle, drugstores & perfumery, DIY & home improvement, consumer electronics, wholesale, and multi-branch franchise and store network concepts.
What retail references does JJW have?
Our project experience includes adidas, Lindt & Sprüngli, TJX Europe, Lidl, SPAR ICS, Metro Systems, GK Software and Infor, among others. It spans a global POS rollout across 27 countries on four continents, an SAP S/4HANA Retail rollout for the direct-to-consumer market, and running store systems in 18 countries around the clock. Selected projects are on Retail IT Project Management.
How does JJW differ from recruiters and management consultancies?
JJW is neither an anonymous recruitment platform nor a classic consultancy. Unlike a recruiter, Jeremy James Wilhelm personally vets every mandate and every senior profile — no algorithm, no mass postings. Unlike a consultancy that makes recommendations, our managers take charge of the project through to the result. You speak directly with experts who know retail operations, checkout systems and store processes from hands-on practice.
Do you take on troubled IT projects?
Yes. When software rollouts stall, integration projects are blocked or a go-live is about to slip, experienced interim managers take immediate operational control, manage the vendors and lead a structured realignment. Typical warning signs are milestones that keep moving, unclear responsibilities between retailer and service providers, and a go-live date without a reliable plan.
When is project mentoring useful for IT projects?
When your internal project lead should keep responsibility but needs experienced support – for example on a first large rollout, before difficult steering-committee decisions or when a project is drifting off plan. The mentor advises on planning, governance, stakeholders and delivery discipline; project leadership stays with you. If JJW takes on the responsibility itself, that is project or interim management.
Costs and contracts
How much does an interim manager or IT project manager in retail cost?
Interim managers and senior project managers are usually billed at a day rate. In Austria, 76% of the interim managers surveyed for Bühler Interim Management’s study “Der österreichische Interim Management Markt 2025” earn a day rate of €1,000 or more (survey February 2025). At JJW the day rate depends on the role, complexity, duration and engagement model. You get it transparently and without hidden placement fees, agreed in the free intro call.
How is an interim manager contracted — and what about bogus self-employment?
You contract JJW Project Solutions e.U. on the basis of clear service agreements or master service contracts. That gives you full compliance security as the client, without the risk of disguised employee leasing or bogus self-employment.
Is the intro call free and non-binding?
Yes. The intro call takes 30 minutes, is free and non-binding, and you can book it directly in the calendar. We clarify your project situation, define the right role profile and give you a realistic view of feasibility and staffing time. Book an intro call.
Process and engagement
How quickly do we receive profiles for an IT interim manager?
You typically receive qualified, personally pre-aligned profiles with verified availability within 3 to 5 working days of the intro call. We then agree the start date with you and the manager.
What is it like to work with JJW?
In four steps: in the free intro call we clarify the project and the role profile. Within 3 to 5 working days you receive personally pre-aligned profiles. You meet the managers who fit and decide. You then contract JJW Project Solutions e.U., and the manager takes over — through to a structured handover at the end of the mandate.
Do your managers work on-site, remotely or internationally?
All of these: on-site in your stores or headquarters across the DACH region, hybrid or remote, as a full-time mandate or as part-time steering alongside your team. For international projects, our managers bring experience from rollouts in up to 27 countries.
Is our enquiry treated confidentially?
Yes. Discretion is part of how our network works: your enquiry is handled personally and never circulated as a public posting. We approach only managers whose profile fits your project.
For senior managers: the JJW network
How do I become an interim manager in JJW's retail IT network?
In five steps: you submit your profile through the online form, Jeremy James Wilhelm personally reviews your retail IT experience, we get to know each other's focus areas and collaboration models, we assess your references together, and you join the curated senior network. Joining doesn't depend on a specific mandate; when your profile fits an enquiry, we contact you directly. Submit your profile.
Who fits into the JJW network?
Experienced project, programme and interim managers with retail IT expertise, for example in stores, POS, ERP and merchandise management, logistics, international rollouts, payment or omnichannel. We look for confident personalities who get up to speed quickly on complex projects, take responsibility and — depending on the mandate — speak very good German and English.
What happens to my profile when I apply?
Your profile is never shared without your consent: before passing it to a client, we ask for your separate approval for that specific mandate. With your consent, we keep your profile data for up to 18 months after you join. We contact your reference providers only after agreeing it with you.
Do I have to state my day rate when I apply?
No. The first form deliberately doesn't ask for your day rate, and you only provide professional information there. We discuss terms in a personal conversation.
AI in your business: the basics
What is AI consulting — and what does JJW AI do?
AI consulting helps companies use artificial intelligence in a targeted, responsible way: from where AI creates value, to enabling your people, to implementing concrete applications. JJW AI Training & Consulting, based in Vienna, guides you through five modular steps: assess current state, develop strategy, empower teams, realise implementation and embed the impact. More on AI training & consulting.
Is AI worth it for small and mid-sized companies?
Yes. JJW AI is built for small and mid-sized companies that want to use AI in a structured, productive way — for management, leaders and teams. In smaller companies especially, AI quickly takes over repetitive work such as proposals, invoice review or CRM and sales. No technical background is required.
We haven't started with AI yet — is it too late?
No. A good starting point is our free AI readiness check: in 8 to 10 minutes you see where you stand and where AI has the most potential in your company.
Is ChatGPT enough — or do we need our own AI solution?
For many tasks a standard tool such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot or Claude is enough, as long as your teams use it safely and purposefully. Your own solution pays off when AI has to work with your data and systems, for example for invoice review, proposal generation or CRM integration. There is no single best AI tool for every company: we choose tools by their value, data protection and your existing systems, not by how well known they are.
Which processes can be automated with AI?
AI pays off fastest in repetitive, text-heavy processes with clear rules. Examples from our AI Solutions are proposal and contract automation, automated invoice review, and CRM and sales automation. We work out which processes suit your company in the AI Strategy Workshop.
Do our employees need technical knowledge?
No. Our training sessions and workshops require no technical background. In the AI Executive Training, managers learn to make confident decisions and assess risks; in the AI Professionals Training, employees try AI directly on tasks from their daily work.
Costs and funding
How much does AI consulting at JJW cost?
Our modules have fixed prices and can be booked individually: the AI Assessment (2–3 hours) €790, AI Strategy Workshop I €1,890, the AI Executive Training €2,490, the AI Professionals Training from €1,190 per module and AI Strategy Workshop II €2,490. Implementation comes as AI Pilot Light from €5,900 or as an AI Implementation Sprint from €9,900, ongoing support from €990 a month. All prices plus VAT (as of November 2026). The online AI readiness check is free. All modules in detail: offer and prices.
How much does the AI readiness check cost?
Nothing. The AI readiness check is free and non-binding, and takes 8 to 10 minutes.
How much does AI Executive Training cost?
€2,490 flat fee plus VAT, including preparation, the training itself, work materials and transfer recommendations. The training is for management and leaders; we tailor its scope to your leadership team.
Is there funding for AI projects — such as KMU.DIGITAL?
No. KMU.DIGITAL no longer exists as a funding option (as of October 2026, per kmudigital.at): the budget is exhausted, applications are closed, and the programme ends on 31 December 2026 with no successor announced. Some Austrian states still fund digitalisation projects themselves; there, you usually have to apply before the project starts.
AI training and the EU AI Act
Is AI training for employees mandatory?
No particular training is required — but measures on AI literacy are. Since 2 February 2025, Article 4 of the EU AI Act has required every company that uses AI systems to take measures on its staff's AI literacy — small companies included, and as soon as employees use ChatGPT at work. Since the Digital Omnibus (Regulation (EU) 2026/1744, in force since 27 July 2026), measures that support the development of AI literacy are enough; no particular level, certificate or number of hours is required. It is sensible to document your training (as of October 2026; not legal advice).
Do you advise on the EU AI Act?
Yes, in practical terms: we provide guidance for classifying your AI use cases at the operational level, and our training supports you with AI literacy measures under Article 4. We do not replace legal advice.
Executive Training, Professionals Training or Strategy Workshop — which fits us?
That depends on who it is for. The AI Executive Training is for management and leaders: decide confidently, lead clearly, understand the risks. The AI Professionals Training is for employees who want to try AI in their daily work and use it well. AI Strategy Workshop I gathers your company's most important AI opportunities; Workshop II turns them into a roadmap with priorities and use cases.
Does the training take place online or in person?
Both are possible: interactive and remote, or on-site at your company. In-person sessions are subject to travel expenses.
Implementation and working together
How do we introduce AI in our company?
Step by step, in five stages: assess current state (AI readiness check and clear action areas), develop strategy (target vision, use case portfolio, implementation roadmap), empower teams (AI Executive Training and hands-on workshops), realise implementation (pilot projects, scaling, measurable results) and embed the impact (developing applications further, ongoing support). Each stage can be booked on its own, so you start where you are today.
How long does an AI rollout take?
From a few weeks for the first automated use cases to several months for deeper process integration. We agree the timeline with you transparently upfront.
Do we have to book every module?
No. The approach is modular: you choose exactly the building blocks that match your current phase — from a single training session to the AI Implementation Sprint.
Do you also implement AI technically?
Yes, through our AI Solutions and through AI Pilot Light and the AI Implementation Sprint, in which a selected use case is built with real data and checked for its actual value. We focus on pragmatic process automation such as invoice review, CRM integration and proposal generation, and on reliable system integration.
Do you work on-site in Vienna — and across Austria?
Yes. JJW Project Solutions is based in Vienna (Marxergasse 11/19, 1030 Vienna) and consults and trains on-site in Vienna. In the rest of Austria and the DACH region we also work on-site or remotely, whichever suits your project.
Can AI be used in a GDPR-compliant way?
Yes, if the tools and data flows are chosen to fit. We select AI tools by use case, data protection and your existing systems, and make sure they integrate securely into your processes. Which data a tool may process is something we agree with you before a use case goes live.
How does an AI Implementation Sprint work?
There are two levels. In AI Pilot Light we implement one use case with standard tools and a narrow scope, measured against success criteria agreed in advance (from €5,900). The AI Implementation Sprint goes further: custom integration into your systems, technical development, validation and a structured handover to your team (from €9,900). Both prices are flat fees plus VAT.
What happens to our data in the AI readiness check?
Your information is treated confidentially. We store your answers and the report generated from them so that we can send you the report and prepare a review call. How long we keep the data and how you can ask for it to be deleted is explained in the privacy policy.