Fujitsu names Sweda's Safari Renaissance software 'RetailReady' for TeamPoS 2000 platform

EDP Weekly's IT Monitor, March 1, 2004

Fujitsu Transaction Solutions Inc. has designated Sweda Corp.'s Safari Renaissance 3.0 retail point-of-sale (POS) software as "RetailReady." The designation indicates that a software vendor's application fully integrates with Fujitsu's TeamPoS 2000 POS terminals. The platform also supports Microsoft's Smarter Retailing Initiative, a comprehensive solutions framework for unleashing the next generation of retail innovation.

Safari Renaissance is a next-generation, in-store software solution that includes component-based POS, Web-based store administration, accounting and reporting. It provides retailers with the ability to perform rapid customization and enhancements, with full interoperability between POS and back-office applications. A Web browser-based interface helps reduce training time and improve productivity for store associates, to keep total cost of ownership low. Safari Renaissance POS is a two-time winner of the Microsoft Retail Application Developer Award for retail point of sale software. Selected by a panel of independent judges, the application was cited for its creative use of Internet technologies and cost-saving benefits for users. The product was developed by Innovax Corp., which merged with Sweda in December 2003.

"Sweda's Safari Renaissance software is ideally suited to the needs of national grocery chains," said J. Graham Long, president of Sweda. "Its browser interface makes it easy to learn and intuitive to use, which increases productivity and reduces cost. The software paired with Fujitsu's open TeamPoS 2000 platform gives large food and drug chains a flexible solution that can adapt quickly and economically to the constantly changing demands of the retail environment."

"The combined efforts of two of our retail-industry partners, Sweda and Fujitsu, will provide retailers with a great way of being smarter about how they operate," said Brian Scott, general manager for the Retail & Hospitality Industry Solutions Group at Microsoft.

Fujitsu awards its RetailReady designation to software applications that have been optimized for its TeamPoS 2000 retail platform. "Fujitsu's reputation for quality and cost reduction is growing throughout the grocery industry, and we're delighted to have Sweda on board as a RetailReady solution provider," said Tom Juliano, senior vice president of Fujitsu's food and drug business. "The RetailReady designation assures our large food and drug customers that Sweda's software will integrate seamlessly with the TeamPoS 2000 platform."