Ultimate Technology and Getronics Team Up To Provide Total Solution for Retailers

Business Wire, Jan 12, 2004

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

NRF 93rd Annual Convention

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 12, 2004

Open-systems POS solutions provider signs partnership agreement with vendor-independent Getronics for on-site installation and support services

Getronics, a leading global Information and Communications Technology (ICT) company, has signed an agreement under which it will be the national on-site installation and support services provider for Ultimate Technology, a leading provider of open systems point-of-sale (POS) solutions headquartered in Victor, N.Y. The companies announced their partnership at the National Retail Federation Big Show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center here.

Getronics delivers retail support services for some of the nation's largest retailers, and maintains over 100,000 POS lanes and related technologies. Its MyStore:ROI suite features a full menu of services to Roll Out, Optimize, and Integrate the information systems that are critical to success in today's retail environment.

The Getronics nationwide field support team will augment Ultimate's current products and services, which include a complete line of retail POS products and a solid offering of post-sale maintenance services. Through this partnership, Ultimate Technology's customers will receive true end-to-end solutions as Getronics and Ultimate deliver:

-- On-site deployment, staging, and installation services - for

fast turnaround and quicker time-to-market;

-- On-site field support services - to keep downtime to a minimum

and enhance the shopping experience and enjoyment for the

retail client's customers;

-- Equipment disposition services, including end-of-life and

disposal - to ensure that the retailer derives maximum value

from its investment in POS hardware; and

-- Enhanced warranty support services - to give the retailer a

guaranteed Service Level Agreement (SLA) performance level

during the warranty period.

"Getronics demonstrated to us that it has a great combination of expertise in the retail industry, knowledge of what's important to our customers, and the national field force capable of delivering all the critical on-site services that will make our open POS systems a complete solution to the retailer community," said Ultimate Technology President and CEO Sam Villanti.

"We were excited to join forces with Ultimate Technology and to provide their impressive customer base with the experience and field support necessary to keep their checkout lanes open and functioning properly," said Patrick J. Daniels, Getronics vice president of Retail and Energy Solutions. "We understand the absolute necessity for store uptime. If the POS systems aren't working, or if the checkout lines are too long or slow-moving, the retailer runs the risk of upsetting its customers and losing sales."

About Ultimate Technology

Ultimate Technology's POS hardware solutions are distinguished by their proven performance. Since 1988, Ultimate has been dedicated to providing the retail sector with open architecture systems that yield superior value, optimal integration and seamless migration. With more than 250,000 installations and locations in Victor, NY and Cleveland, Ohio, Ultimate Technology is one of the fastest growing POS hardware solutions providers. For more information, visit www.ultimatetechnology.com

About Getronics

With 23,000 employees in over 30 countries and forecast revenues of approximately 2.7 billion Euros in 2003, Getronics is one of the world's leading providers of vendor- independent Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions and services. Getronics today combines the capabilities of the original Dutch company with those of Wang Global, acquired in 1999, and of the systems and services division of Olivetti. Getronics is ranked second worldwide in network and desktop outsourcing and fourth worldwide in network consulting and integration (Source: IDC 2002-2003).

Getronics designs, integrates and manages ICT infrastructures and business solutions for many of the world's largest global and local companies and organizations, helping them maximize the value of their information technology investments. Getronics headquarters are in Amsterdam, with regional offices in Boston and Singapore. Its shares are traded on Euronext Amsterdam ('GTN'). For further information, visit www.getronics.com.