Microsoft Recognizes Innovative Retail and Distribution Application Developers

CHICAGO, May 20, 1997 — Microsoft Corp. will officially present the second annual Microsoft Retail Application Developer (RAD) awards tonight to software developers creating innovative retail and distribution solutions. The awards recognize application developers with leading-edge solutions that provide tangible business benefits to their customers and make the best use of Microsoft® technology, the Internet and corporate intranets. The following are the 1997 RAD award winners:

Small Store – Sales Management Systems Inc., Anaheim, Calif.

Hard Goods – Virtual Systems Inc., Wixom, Mich.

Soft Goods – STR Inc., Cleveland

Pharmacy and Drug – Stores Automated Systems Inc. (SASI), Bristol, Pa.

Food – Info Systems of N.C. Inc., Charlotte, N.C.

Kiosks – WinPoint Retail Consulting Services Inc., Goodrich, Mich.

Human Resources – Kronos Inc., Waltham, Mass.

Convenience Store – Radiant Systems Inc., Alpharetta, Ga.

E-Commerce – ScanData Systems Inc., Dublin, Ohio

Customer Profile – STS Systems Inc., Pointe-Claire, Quebec

Distribution Management – ScanData Systems Inc., Dublin, Ohio

Import/Export – MJ Systems Inc., Charlottesville, Va.

EDI – WinPoint Retail Consulting Services Inc., Goodrich, Mich.

Inventory – IKON Office Solutions, Tucson, Ariz.

The judges awarded honorable mentions to the following applications:

Front-End Data Capture – TRIMAX Retail Systems, Toronto

Human Resources – Campbell Software Inc., Chicago

Real Estate – Dennis Connor and Associates, Brampton, Ohio

Small Store – ProphetLine Inc., Fort Smith, Ark.

“The judges looked at over 100 cutting-edge entries, and they all exceeded expectations,” said Judy Dulcich, retail industry marketing manager at Microsoft. “We were impressed with the progress the retail software community has made in the last year and are thrilled to see how the Microsoft platform is being used to provide rich business solutions while reducing the complexity of retail computing.”

The competition challenged developers to create best-of-breed retail, distribution, transportation and logistic solutions. Judging criteria included quantifiable business benefits, best use of the Microsoft Windows® operating system-based technology, ease of use and adoption, and integration and exploitation of Internet and intranet technology. The awards were given to firms that develop and implement superior business applications addressing specific customer needs.

This year’s panel was made up of the following retailers and technology experts: Dr. Jim Dion, senior consultant and president, J.C. Williams Group; Dennis Hadley, board of directors, Independent Cash Register Dealers Association and president, Enterprise Information Solutions Inc.; Don McDowell, MIS manager and manager of system development, Lettuce Entertain You; Don Gilbert, senior vice president of information technology, National Retail Federation; Robert Grimes, president and CEO, Cyntergy Corp.; and Tia Potter, editor and publisher, newsletters, Fairchild Publications.

“The bottom line is these best-of-breed solutions will improve service to customers,” said Dennis Hadley, president of Enterprise Information Solutions. “These winning applications are pushing technology to its limits in an effort to streamline business processes and enhance the customer experience.”

For more information on Microsoft solutions, visit the Microsoft Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/industry/ .

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