IBM Introduces Next Generation of Retail Point-of-Sale Systems
New SurePOS 700 Introduces Investment Protection Features for the Present, As Well As Powerful Technology Platforms for the Future
RALEIGH, NC--Sep 18, 2003 -- Marking 30 years of providing reliable, retail- hardened point-of-sale systems for the world`s top retailers, IBM today announced the next generation of its SurePOS 700 family. These advanced new SurePOS 700 systems are designed to allow retailers the flexibility of combining their existing POS peripherals and software with an advanced new POS system, which features powerful processors, increased memory, greater storage capacity and enhanced network connectivity.
The new IBM SurePOS 720, 740 and 780 point-of-sale systems represent the convergence of two of the most widely used retail POS systems in the world -- the IBM 4694 and the newer IBM SurePOS family. Many of the world`s largest retailers use one or the other of these POS technologies as the backbone of their stores` checkout system, and IBM is widely acknowledged as the No. 1 provider of POS systems worldwide.
"It is very important for retailers to be able to protect the point-of-sale technology investments they`ve already made in peripherals and software, especially in the current economy. At the same time, it is imperative that they begin investing in more advanced POS technology to enable the new wave of consumer access applications that choosy customers are demanding," said Tom Peterson, general manager, IBM Retail Store Solutions. "Meeting both of those requirements obviously is a challenge for retailers, but our new SurePOS 700 is designed to address both requirements. These new systems can handle existing peripherals, while giving retailers a powerful new platform for the future."
IBM introduced one of the first-ever electronic point-of-sale systems in the summer of 1973. Its first two POS customers, Dillard`s and Pathmark, remain IBM POS customers three decades later. When it was introduced in early 2000, the original IBM SurePOS 700 was the first Web-enabled POS system. It also was the first with "Powered USB," an IBM innovation designed to simplify the number of power cords as well as simplify adding POS peripherals. Powered USB also allows for "plug-and-play" exchange of peripherals, such as receipt printers, in the middle of a checkout transaction. IBM holds numerous patents relating to POS technology and has more than 2 million POS systems installed worldwide in more than 100 countries.
IBM also recently created a new Emerging Business unit to help create the retail Store of the Future, in which wireless Internet devices such as tablet computers or "WebPads" and "smart" shopping carts are expected to combine with POS systems to create a more personalized, convenient and interactive shopping experience. IBM POS systems are designed to be the backbone of such a system. For example, IBM recently assisted Metro Group, the world`s fifth largest retailer, with its new "Future Store," which features the latest RFID and wireless technologies. While brimming with new technologies, that futuristic new Metro store operates on a POS backbone of IBM 4694 running a retail-hardened IBM operating system, demonstrating the importance of reliable, scalable and expandable POS systems
New SurePOS 700 Models Feature Migration Path and New Capabilities
The flexible new models of the SurePOS 700 provide a staged migration path designed to allow retailers to help leverage existing software and peripherals, such as scanners and displays, while simultaneously helping to enhance their overall POS capabilities.
Since retailers need to be able to move to new retail technologies over time, depending on their business needs, the SurePOS 700s introduces IBM SurePorts. SurePorts provide a set of ports on the POS systems that support most industry-standard I/O connections and the mixing and matching of different generations of products. So a retailer can choose to use RS-485 ports to attach older, proven peripherals or the new powered USB connectivity for newer peripherals. When business requirements change, the new SurePOS 700s are designed so that the retailer can change the I/O connection in the store, without having to replace the entire system.
The new systems also include more powerful processors and increased memory and storage capacity as well as an Ethernet port to enable high-bandwidth connectivity.
In addition, the next-generation SurePOS models offer retailers choices in how they customize their POS systems and checkout lanes in terms of the look, feel and capabilities of their POS systems. All models are available in a choice of format (narrow or wide), color (light or dark), configuration (distributed or integrated), and storage (hard files and memory).
About IBM IBM, the world`s largest information technology company, is the leader in providing the Retail Industry with a full range of e-business solutions, including: point-of-sale systems, other hardware and software technology, consulting focused on business transformation, IT strategy and planning, store operations improvement, and supply chain optimization, and with services, such as outsourcing, managed operations, systems integration, and application development and design. IBM has a list of retail customers in 100 countries worldwide that reads like a "Who`s Who" of retailing. For more information on IBM Retail Solutions, please visit http://www.ibm.com/industries/retail.
Note: SurePOS and SurePorts are trademarks or registered trademarks of the IBM Corp.
Contact:
Greg Thompson
IBM Media Relations
404-238-5052
gregoryt@us.ibm.com
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