Longaberger Looks to GERS Retail System for Integrated Retail Solution
Contact:
Megan Leer
800.854.2263
mleer@gers.com
"Total Solution" from GERS offers robust functionality in format that`s
intuitive and easy to use
SAN DIEGO, May 17, 2002 - GERS Retail Systems, a leading supplier of
business solutions for the retail industry, today announced that The
Longaberger Company, America`s premier maker of handcrafted baskets, has
selected the GERS Electronic Retail Enterprise to replace their existing
legacy system within their retail division. Longaberger will implement GERS`
Enterprise1, PLANalyst, RetailAnalyst and GERS` next-generation,
point-of-service solution to consolidate all data into one integrated
system, improve merchandise planning and performance analysis, and expand
sales channels for increased profitability and long term business growth.
"We were looking for a total solution that would satisfy the needs of
merchandising, stores, distribution centers, warehouses, and accounting,"
said Paul Kessen, Director of Merchandising for Longaberger. "Our retail
division is part of a multi-faceted company that includes direct sales,
manufacturing and hospitality, so we needed a retail system that existed on
a platform that would integrate with other parts of our business. We chose
GERS because it is built on an Oracle platform, which we as a company are
migrating towards. GERS solutions also offer robust functionality, yet they
are intuitive and easy to use."
By implementing Enterprise1, Longaberger will integrate all merchandising,
distribution, and financial information into a centralized, real-time
environment for better visibility to inventory and quicker availability of
sales information. Longaberger will use Enterprise1`s integrated warehouse
management tools to improve operational efficiencies, and also take
advantage of the solution`s extensive reporting capabilities for immediate
information retrieval and reduced manual processing.
Leveraging data stored in Enterprise1, Longaberger will implement PLANalyst,
a comprehensive merchandise planning solution that can dynamically forecast,
create, analyze, and manage merchandise plans to increase margins, decrease
costs, and develop more profitable customer relationships. Longaberger will
also use RetailAnalyst, GERS` intuitive business intelligence solution, to
quickly and easily analyze sales, inventory, and vendor data; identify
trends; and maximize sales opportunities.
"Now, we can access data without having to pay someone to create custom
reports," noted Kessen. "RetailAnalyst will allow us to make informed
decisions more quickly."
On the front end, Longaberger will take advantage of GERS` next-generation
point-of-sale solution, which includes a new Mobile POS feature that
supports "lane busting" to expedite the checkout process during busy
periods. Using new POS technology, Longaberger will increase sales channels,
optimize the retail enterprise, and improve the consumer experience.
"Longaberger joins an elite group of retailers that are using GERS solutions
to achieve exceptional performance," said Vicki Noreen, GERS Vice President.
"Recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the Top Privately Held Companies,
they are innovative, entrepreneurial, and quality-driven. We are looking
forward to working with Longaberger to blaze new trails and achieve even
greater business results."
About The Longaberger Company
The Longaberger Company is America`s premier maker of handcrafted baskets.
Along with quality handmade baskets, the company offers home and lifestyle
products that include pottery, wrought iron, and fabric accessories. The
company, based in Newark, Ohio, has 7,000 employees and nearly 70,000
Independent Sales Associates nationwide. Led by President and CEO Tami
Longaberger, the company is listed in Forbes magazine`s top 500 privately
held companies, is recognized as the 18th largest woman-owned company in the
U.S. by Working Woman magazine, and has been cited by Newman`s Own, Inc. as
one of the 10 Most Generous Companies in America.
About GERS Retail Systems
With over 28 years of experience and 300 installations worldwide, GERS
Retail Systems is a leading supplier of software solutions for the retail
marketplace. The GERS Electronic Retail Enterprise includes mission-critical
transaction management applications for multi-channel retailing, and
provides fully integrated corporate office applications for merchandise
replenishment and allocation, distribution center management, and financial
control. Integral to the GERS solution set are Business Intelligence
applications for predictive modeling and decision support, Merchandise
Planning and Allocation for increasing returns on inventory investments, and
Workflow Automation applications for maximizing productivity across the
enterprise. For more information, please visit www.gers.com.
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