NEW YORK — Jan. 12, 2009 — Today, at the National Retail Federation (NRF) Annual Convention & Expo, Microsoft Corp. announced that Douglas, Europe’s largest fragrance and cosmetics retailer, is migrating its point of service (POS) systems in 23 countries around the world to Windows Embedded POSReady 2009, the next generation of Windows Embedded for Point of Service.
Built by Wincor Nixdorf, a Windows Embedded partner, and powered by Windows Embedded POSReady 2009, Douglas’ next-generation POS platform meets current needs for richer customer experiences and greater security. The system also addresses longer-term needs for the retailer such as streamlining technical requirements and reducing total cost of ownership.
“We will roll out the Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 platform in our newer stores first,” said Jeroen Timmer, director of IT at Douglas. “The new platform is easy to deploy and offers a convenient, easy-to-use touch-screen interface that helps us deliver better customer service.”
“The Windows Embedded team is committed to providing our partners and customers with an innovative POS operating system that enhances POS function and enables retailers to offer a differentiated user experience,” said Ilya Bukshteyn, senior director of Windows Embedded Marketing at Microsoft. “Using familiar Windows technologies, Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 enables a connected, rich experience at the checkout counter, which leads to meeting and exceeding shopper expectations and driving customer loyalty.”
For Douglas, using Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 delivers multiple benefits:
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Connectivity. Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 supports the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 for building robust Web-enabled applications and services, and offers standards-based plug-and-play support for easy connectivity to peripherals, servers and services.
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Confidence. The next-generation platform provides security updates available through security and management technologies in Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3.
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Flexibility. Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 enables customization of the operating system image to align with Douglas’ computing environment and business needs.
“The new POS platform provides us with a viable solution for meeting present and future business needs,” Timmer said. “As we look to move toward diskless hardware platforms, we saw a long-term opportunity with Windows Embedded POSReady 2009, which supports flash and other data storage technologies. With fewer moving hardware parts, we expect higher levels of reliability and longer system life cycles, which will save us money over time.”
Douglas POS Systems and Microsoft Technology at NRF Annual Convention & Expo
Attendees of the NRF Annual Convention & Expo taking place Jan. 12–14 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York can learn more and see a demonstration of the Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 technology during Microsoft’s BIG !dea session “Competing at the Point-of-Service: A Recipe for Success,” hosted by Bukshteyn and Timmer. More information and demonstrations by Douglas and the Windows Embedded team will be available at the Microsoft Booth (No. 637).
More information on Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 is available at http://www.POSReady.com.
About the DOUGLAS Group
The DOUGLAS Group is one of Europe’s leading retail organizations with outstanding service, first-class product ranges, an enjoyable and stimulating shopping ambiance and the friendliest employees. Customer satisfaction is the paramount corporate objective. Douglas’ desire is to make customers’ lives more enjoyable. Douglas is “retail with heart and mind.”
The DOUGLAS Group operates more than 1,900 specialty stores throughout Europe, employs 24,000 men and women and generated sales of 3.1 billion euros (in the fiscal year 2007/2008, October 1st, 2007 – September 30th, 2008).
The Douglas group stands for “Excellence in Retailing.” The divisions — Perfumeries, Books, Jewellery, Fashion and Confectionery — set the standards in their respective segments. A consequent customer orientation is given the highest priority. Decisions are therefore being made close to customer needs, always following the principle “as much decentralization as possible, as much centralization as needed.”
These principles go along with the company’s objectives: value oriented growth, continued global expansion of the Perfumery Division and above all strengthening the leadership position in quality and service. Stepping in new markets, the Douglas retail concept recognizes the trends in customer behaviour and needs and responds to them in excellent concepts, offers and services.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
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