ICL Retail Systems acquired Post Software International

Business Wire, June 10, 1996

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 10, 1996--ICL Retail Systems and Post Software International (PSI) Monday announced the merger of their Global Operations.

The objective of the combined organization will be to provide more customer centered enterprise services to retailers. The initial focus will be the implementation of in-store systems and migration of strategy for all retail segments except food retailers.

The strategy, GlobalSTORE will be based on the Association of Retail Technology Standards (ARTS) data model, PSI's existing business rule objects and Microsoft tools and technologies including Windows NT and OLE for retail PoS/OPoS. Future solutions will also incorporate Internet services and business objects from third party suppliers. The GlobalSTORE strategy is to protect as much of the retailer's current systems investment as possible.

"Technology is rapidly changing in the retail industry, so it is critical we help move customers into an integration program that leverages technology, protects the retailer's current investment and provides a long-life expectancy," said Rod Powell, president of ICL Retail Systems worldwide business.

PSI has spent several years working directly with Microsoft to adapt the Microsoft Solutions Development Discipline model to the retail industry. This model is based on a three tier architecture which allows the user interface, the business rules and the data management parts of an application to be independently maintained.

"We are staying in step with Microsoft's vision. In addition to our existing technology partnerships, we are combining ICL's software, services and integration strengths with PSI's development expertise to aggressively put the necessary development tools into the retailer's hands. This direction addresses the retailer's demand for a common, standards-based architecture that will integrate with their legacy in-store systems and support necessary future technologies," added Powell.

"By offering retailers a standards-based solution, ICL will be in a stronger position to more quickly offer retailers the necessary software and services needed to integrate their entire in-store and headquarters' environment," said Horace Clemmons, president, PSI.

PSI has been involved with the ARTS Data Model since its inception. Since then, PSI and ICL have both been active in promoting the need for retail industry standards. Both ICL and PSI believe future growth will be based on providing services in a retail environment that continues to move toward commodity object-based software and PC hardware.

Because ICL is part of the $30 billion Fujitsu Ltd. family, retailers will benefit from the combined strength of Fujitsu, ICL and PSI by having access to the largest pool of research, solutions and industry experienced technology resources. This will provide the retailer with development, integration, installation and support services at both the enterprise and store level.

The standards-based orientation of the new organization will give retailers a powerful position to influence the implementation of industry standards for hardware and system tool providers.

ICL Retail Systems is one of the largest suppliers of in-store information technology solutions and services worldwide. ICL Retail Systems is also the largest supplier of high-end scanning systems, with an installed base of more than 250,000 point-of-sale terminals across both non-food and supermarket segments: The supermarket installations are based on the ISS400 architecture.

"By combining our retail development and services strength in North America and Europe and with Fujitsu in Japan, Asia and Australia, we are able to provide retailers with a more comprehensive ICL retail consulting and development team worldwide," said Powell. "We will help retailers improve productivity, have rapid access to data and get closer to their customers."

The PSI organization will continue to be based in Wake Forest, N.C. In addition to Microsoft, ICL Retail Systems partners with companies including Amdahl, Sun Microsystems, SSDS and Fujitsu Ltd.

Headquartered in Dallas, ICL Retail Systems is a leading integrator of systems, software and services to the top grocery, specialty retail, home center and financial businesses in Europe and North America. With 3,000 employees, ICL Retail Systems also provides strategic data management and precision retailing tools supporting open systems information technology across an entire enterprise.

CONTACT: ICL Retail Systems, Dallas

Lauren Baker, 214/716-8353

or

MCC, Dallas

Brian Renaud, 214/480-8383