Retail Software: Wincor Nixdorf Introduces TP.net Retail Software Solution To U.S. Retail Marketplace

Wincor Nixdorf, one of the world's leading suppliers of total IT solutions for the retail and banking industries, recently announced the U.S. introduction of its TP.net software solution – an advanced, end-to-end platform that provides retailers with unprecedented control and visibility into every part of their store systems. By utilizing the built-in advantages of the Microsoft .NET Framework, Wincor Nixdorf's TP.net enables U.S. retailers to respond quickly to business requirements with unprecedented ease.

As a select Microsoft Gold Certified partner, Wincor collaborated closely with Microsoft to create TP.net as a certified Microsoft ISV/Software solution.

At the store level, Wincor Nixdorf's TP.net solution helps retailers meet operational challenges with a single product suite that provides seamless connectivity for multi-store management, customer loyalty, intelligent rules-based pricing and promotions, and advanced checkout concepts. TP.net centralizes the management of the entire customer shopping process with a hardware-independent approach to retail software.

Wincor Nixdorf's TP.net solution is already proven in international markets, with a user base approaching 50,000 in 26 countries. The U.S. introduction offers American retailers a real alternative to legacy or Java-based systems already in the market, allowing them to reduce development time for customized components with minimal impact on the core framework.

According to Tad Shepperd, vice president of retail for Wincor Nixdorf USA, the introduction of TP.net is ideally suited for the American retail market, which is transitioning away from proprietary systems to more open end-to-end IT solutions.

"Current retail IT strategies are capitalizing on the inherent benefits of open systems and managed services, following years of heavy investment in proprietary solutions that have turned out to be costly, as well as impractical to upgrade and manage throughout their lifecycles," Mr. Shepperd said. "We are finding that retailers are turning to us as a single source for best-of-breed retail solutions; however, they appreciate our open approach that allows our software solution to run on any hardware platform."

With industry studies forecasting that U.S. retailers will be adopting more technologies in the store in 2008 than in previous years, Geoff Thomas, general manager for Microsoft's U.S. Retail and Hospitality Group, looks forward to bringing the benefits of Wincor's solution to the U.S. market.

"Retailers are looking for ways to better connect with their customers through localized events, assortments and services while empowering their employees to be as informed, efficient and productive as possible," said Mr. Thomas. "Wincor's TP.net software solution, built on the familiar, easy-to-use and widely supported Microsoft platform, will provide U.S. retailers with an innovative solution to help its employees strengthen customer relationships, build high value business connections and improve operations."

Additional benefits of Wincor's TP.net system include:

• Flexibility and fast ROI – Due to its cutting edge architectural approach and the latest Microsoft technologies, TP.net guarantees maximum flexibility and cost efficiency.
• Open and scalable for any retail format – TP.net is designed to meet the needs of any retail format and in all retail segments.
• Enterprise-wide control of store systems – Central management increases responsiveness and optimizes the use of resources, whether configuring different TP.net store systems or managing system functionality.
• International distribution and support – Wincor Nixdorf supports its TP.net solutions with an established global network of TP.net competency centers.

Wincor Nixdorf is currently discussing trials of its TP.net solution with multiple leading U.S. retailers.