Knowlan's Super Markets Inc. Goes ``Self Checkout,'' Integrates Fujitsu's ISS45 POS Software.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 13, 2002

Independent Chain's Customers `Self Serve' With Express and

Full-Size Orders

Fujitsu Transaction Solutions Inc. announced today that Knowlan's Super Markets Inc., a six-store independent grocery chain based in Vadnais Heights, Minn., is implementing self-checkout point-of-sale systems that integrate with Fujitsu's ISS45 POS software used throughout the chain.

Two of Knowlan's Festival Food Stores have included customer self-checkout since April.

"Our customers are quite enthusiastic about self-checkout. We're seeing about 25 percent of our customers check out themselves," said Ed Doud, Knowlan's director of retail technology. "We're especially pleased to see that our customers are using self-checkout for both express orders and full-sized orders. I've seen customers check out with $200 worth of goods."

The system was integrated and installed by Retail Data Systems of Minnesota (RDS), a value-added reseller and Fujitsu business partner based in Eden Prairie, Minn. The system combines Productivity Solutions Inc.'s self-checkout system with Fujitsu's ISS45 POS software and hardware.

"We're the only independent that I'm aware of that has implemented self-checkout," said Doud. "Such systems are typically reserved for the larger national chains, and are usually only focused on express-order capabilities. We wanted more than that so we worked closely with RDS, Fujitsu and PSI to create a system that worked well within our existing infrastructure and actually helped our customers. So far, we're getting very positive customer feedback."

Knowlan's currently has self-checkout in two of its Festival stores. Each store has 11 lanes, eight of which are standard checkout lanes; three are self-checkout. Knowlan's expects to add self-checkout to its two other Festival-branded stores as well.

Of keen importance to Knowlan's was to develop self-checkout systems that could seamlessly integrate and interact with its existing store systems, particularly its existing POS software.

"We've been a Fujitsu ISS45 user for many years, and didn't want to have the typical situation in which a self-checkout system operated by itself with a different software. We required our solution to integrate with ISS45," said Doud. "RDS did an incredible job in doing a competitive analysis, recommending the PSI system, connecting it with ISS45 and them making sure the implementation and operations were seamless and smooth."

Fujitsu's ISS45 POS application enables integrated operation at the check stand, in the back office and in the aisles. The system's architecture is based on an open industry-standard platform. Its modular design offers retailers the option to custom-configure their terminals. ISS45's services architecture -- which replicates the four primary in-store functions from multiple locations -- allows terminals to keep working as long as the unit has electricity. ISS45 scales economically for stores of widely different sizes and types -- from small independents to large chains.

About Fujitsu Transaction Solutions Inc.

Fujitsu Transaction Solutions Inc., headquartered in Dallas, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702). The company is a total lifecycle solutions supplier for North American retailers and financial services providers. Fujitsu optimizes the customer's technology lifecycle and reduces total cost of ownership with point-of-sale (POS) hardware and software, handheld devices and applications, Web-enabled automated-teller machines (ATMs) and infrastructure services, including asset management. Fujitsu offers world-class customer-service support, call centers, product staging/integration and rapid-response rollouts. It serves customers such as Allfirst Financial, Albertson's, Nordstrom, Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI), Safeway, Staples and The TJX Companies, among others.

Web site: www.ftxs.fujitsu.com.

Editor's Note: A high-resolution image of a Knowlan's Festival Food Stores storefront is available by sending an e-mail request to rmiller@mbapr.com.

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