Sionic Mobile, a cloud-based connected commerce provider, has partnered with NorthOut Inc., an artificial intelligence and emerging technology experiences firm, to enhance its ION Commerce Engine platform with advanced analytics and data-driven dashboards powered by IBM Watson Analytics.

The latest platform version is intended to help merchants better engage and connect with millions of consumers through their vehicle dashboards and their favorite mobile apps, according to a press release. The platform will provide merchants with data such as customer spending traits, loyalty, transaction trends and market demographic data.

"Retailers and merchants in today's market are facing fierce competition and for many, especially small businesses, the struggle to simply survive, much less thrive is daunting," said Eric Healy, CEO of NorthOut, in the release. "Most business owners recognize the transformative power of artificial intelligence, but lack the necessary resources or expertise to successfully leverage the technology. Sionic Mobile's sophisticated, connected commerce engine will disrupt this industry, providing not only a robust mobile payments and loyalty platform, but now also featuring data-driven components providing a clear market advantage."

Sionic Mobile's ION platform powers connected cars, the Mobile Rewards Marketplace,the ION Rewards consumer app and is integrated with popular payment terminals and POS systems.