The Bombay Company Rapidly Deploys Retek Java-Based Integrated Store Operations Solutions on Linux
Mid-Market Home Furnishings Retailer Deploys New Store Systems in 4 Months
MINNEAPOLIS - July 24, 2003 - Retek Inc. (Nasdaq: RETK) announced today that The Bombay Company, Inc. (NYSE: BBA), a home furnishings retailer, has deployed Retek® Integrated Store OperationsTM (ISO) solutions in 10 of its stores in four months. Rollout of the new store systems to all 388 Bombay US stores is scheduled to be completed by October 2003. Bombay`s new store operations infrastructure enables real-time sales and inventory access, faster transaction and credit processing and Intranet/email access in the store that deliver an enhanced customer experience, improved operating efficiencies and increased sales.
"The open architecture of the Java-based Retek ISO solutions allowed us incredible flexibility in selecting the optimal hardware, database and operating system that matched our business needs," said Donna Arnold, Vice President of Information Technology at Bombay. "The flexibility of the open system allowed us to use our existing hardware in the stores and home office. We are very pleased with the speed of implementation of the Retek solutions and the advanced capabilities they deliver to our stores."
"The feedback from management at the pilot stores has been very positive," said Steve Sherlock, Vice President Store Operations at Bombay. "The Bombay store management and associates have been impressed with the speed of transactions, breadth of features, and especially, the intuitive nature and ease of learning the system."
BENEFITS
The improved store systems provide Bombay many benefits, including:
• Real-time Visibility - The Retek solutions provide stores and the corporate office real-time access to sales and inventory information.
• Improved Customer Service - The store system`s efficiency enables associates to spend more time with more customers and less time processing transactions or looking-up information. Credit card authorization times have reduced from 30 to 2 seconds.
• Improved Communications - Stores have access to the corporate Intranet and email, which facilitates improved communication of processes and forms.
• More Efficient Operations - Faster network and real-time information visibility improve the efficiency of operations and productivity.
NEW STORE SYSTEMS
Bombay`s new store operating systems implementation project includes:
• Retek® Point-of-SaleTM Solution - In addition to the basic capabilities to handle customer transactions expected from a POS system, Retek POS delivers store cash management, biometric security, dynamic online help, deal pricing and coupons, tax exempt and VAT support, foreign tender and multi language support, electronic signature capture and "chip & pin."
• Retek® Store Inventory ManagementTM Solution - provides instantaneous, real-time data communications between stores and the corporate office. This application supports store level activities such as item look-up, stock counts and transfers, which improves the accuracy of inventory information, in-store efficiency and sell-through.
• Retek ISO Architecture - application servers running Linux operating system.
• Retek ISO Database Platform - the hardware and database independent Retek ISO applications are being deployed on Bombay`s IBM AS/400® running IBM DB2® based on the Association for Retail Technology Standards (ARTS) database model.
• POS Hardware - utilizes existing registers with operating system upgrade to Microsoft Windows XPE.
• Network - upgraded network from dial-up modems to broadband wide area network (WAN).
• Credit Card Authorization System - implemented a centrally based/hosted credit card authorization service to replace dial-up authorization system.
"Bombay`s rapid deployment of Retek ISO solutions in conjunction with multiple other store infrastructure projects is impressive," said Patrick Bohannon, Retek`s vice president mid-market operations. "The Retek directed implementation team worked closely with Bombay`s management team to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously with great results. The Bombay project demonstrates Retek`s leadership in rapid and successful implementation of Java-based store solutions."
About The Bombay Company (www.bombaycompany.com)
The Bombay Company, Inc. designs, sources and markets a unique line of home accessories, wall décor and furniture through 422 retail outlets, specialty catalogs and the Internet in the U.S. and internationally.
About Retek Inc.
Retek Inc. (Nasdaq:RETK) is the leading provider of mission-critical software and services to the retail industry. Retek solutions integrate collaborative software with patented predictive technologies, consulting services, and the best practices of customers and partners to help retailers create, manage and fulfill consumer demand. Leading global retailers including Tesco, Best Buy, Gap Inc., Sainsbury`s, Eckerd Corp. and Selfridges use Retek solutions. On the net: Retek at http://www.retek.com.
Retek is a trademark of Retek Inc. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made under the Safe Harbor Provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Such factors are described from time to time in the company`s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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