NCR to Upgrade Italian Retailer's Eight Supermarkets,
Make Front-end Checkouts Euro-ready
MILAN, Italy, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Helping Europe's major retailers prepare for a smooth euro transition, NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) today signed a US$1.6 million (ITL 3.6 billion) agreement with Finiper S.p.A. to replace Finiper's store computing systems in eight supermarkets, and convert the retailer's front-end checkout systems to accept the euro. By the end of 2001, NCR will install more than 400 checkouts, plus network servers.
Finiper's new supermarket solution includes the Web-enabled NCR 7453 POS workstation, plus NCR 7875 and 7872 bi-optic scanners. To increase checkout productivity and improve customer service, NCR MTX -- a modular, easy to use POS application -- will be integrated with an electronic payment solution. The MTX software, designed to streamline POS transactions, will help Finiper provide customers with faster service and shorter checkout lines.
NCR will also update the store systems in Finiper Group's other 10 stores, converting the existing NCR 2127 POS workstations POS and back-office software to accept the euro currency.
Finiper's retail operation includes supermarkets in Savignano sul Rubicone, Montebello della Battaglia, Seriate, Rozzano, Busnago, Varese, Pescara, and a new store in Alba Adriatica. The initial pilot installation is slated for the Orio al Serio supermarket, followed by the Pesaro and Grandate stores.
"Finiper chose NCR because of its ability to provide us with a complete solution and reliable systems," says Valerio Cortese, Finiper's computing systems manager. "Our new electronic payment solution, combined with our ability to handle the euro, will allow us to reduce waiting time at the checkout and boost customer loyalty through improved service."
"NCR's experience in handling complex projects and implementing them in a short period of time are key components of our agreement with Finiper," says Alberto Camuri, vice president of NCR's Retail Solutions division for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and the Pacific. "Adapting Finiper's computing systems for the euro further illustrates NCR's capacity to provide our customers with the most effective solutions with minimum impact on their existing technology infrastructure."
About Finiper S.p.A.
Established as a family-owned business, Finiper S.p.A. is a holding company with subsidiaries operating in the large-scale retailing field. Finiper's knowledge and expertise enables the company to integrate the supermarket and the shopping mall to ensure the most complete and diverse offering possible.
The Group currently employs approximately 7,000 employees and owns real- estate assets of over 250,000 square meters of indoor commercial space, with a turnover of ITL 3,000 billion.
The Il paese della Grande i hyperstores network, located throughout northern and central Italy, comprises 19 units. Finiper's goal is to develop new geographical distribution outlets by offering high purchasing potential. Recent agreements with the Carrefour Group will allow for the creation of strategic synergies at the international level.
About NCR Corporation
NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is a leader in providing Relationship Technology(TM) solutions to customers worldwide in the retail, financial, communications, manufacturing, travel and transportation, and insurance markets. NCR's Relationship Technology solutions include privacy-enabled Teradata(R) warehouses and customer relationship management (CRM) applications, store automation and automated teller machines (ATMs). The company's business solutions are built on the foundation of its long- established industry knowledge and consulting expertise, value-adding software, global customer support services, a complete line of consumable and media products, and leading edge hardware technology. NCR employs 32,900 in more than 100 countries, and is a component stock of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. More information about NCR and its solutions may be found at www.ncr.com .
NCR and Teradata are trademarks or registered trademarks of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries. SOURCE NCR Corporation
CONTACT: Mario Bonardo of NCR Italy, 39-02-47904715, or mario.bonardo@italy.ncr.com ; or Robert "Kelly" Kramer of NCR USA, 770-623-7215, or kelly.kramer@ncr.com /