Supermarkets Gain Thin-Client Access to Store Data -- Anytime, Anywhere; Fujitsu's ISS45 POS...

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 6, 2002

Fujitsu Transaction Solutions Inc. announced today that grocery retailers can now manage their stores wirelessly using Fujitsu's ISS45 point-of-sale (POS) software and TeamPad(TM) 7500 handheld computer.

Combining the supermarket industry's leading POS software with Fujitsu's Microsoft(R) Windows(R)-based TeamPad provides in-store "anywhere access" using a wireless thin-client environment based on the 802.11 and 802.11b standards. The TeamPad also provides expanded capabilities via third-party POS office applications.

Retailers can perform the following functions using the TeamPad as a thin client running ISS45 Version 7.7 or Version 8.4:

-- Item maintenance

-- Cashier monitoring

-- Shelf verification

-- Accounting and closing

-- Pricing decisions

-- Cashier accounting

-- Batch applications

-- Time and attendance

-- Receiving, including Direct Store Delivery (DSD)

-- Labor management

-- Promotions and special offers

-- Sales analysis

"In a store, data have always been in the back room, but most of the work is in the aisles. By integrating Fujitsu's ISS45 with the TeamPad 7500, store managers and staff members have immediate online access to all their store information no matter where the work-points are," said Tony van Seventer, Fujitsu's director of supermarket systems. "No more fan-fold printouts or carts with automobile batteries."

Retailers can literally 'think on their feet' with a full-size, color SVGA screen on a tablet that weighs less than two pounds but is tough enough to withstand a four-foot drop to concrete. And a manager can even perform cashier monitoring right there from the front end."

The ISS45 mobile retail solution teams the latest in Fujitsu handheld technology and applications. The TeamPad 7500 communicates via radio-frequency link and offers a large, color touchscreen. Running on Windows CE, the 7500 controls an additional ISS45 office session running on one of the ISS45 controllers -- without interfering with the operation of the store or the controller's other operations. Retailers can safely transact business on the thin-client TeamPad 7500 because mission-critical data and applications reside on the server, not the handheld. No application maintenance is necessary on the TeamPad, saving time and resulting in a lower total cost of ownership for retailers.

Fujitsu's ISS45 POS application enables seamless 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 with modular design offering retailers the option to custom-configure their terminals. ISS45's services architecture replicates the four primary in-store functions from multiple locations. This permits shoppers to be checked out as long as the terminal 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

For sales and product information call 800/340-4425.