CKS Smart Health network boosted by TradeRoot technology

Johannesburg, 29 Apr 2002

Computerkit Systems (CKS), the largest supplier of dispensing and point-of-sale software solutions to the retail pharmacy industry, has teamed up with TradeRoot, the payment technology company, in a deal reportedly worth R4 million, to significantly enhance the security and overall efficiency of its Smart Health network.

CKS is a subsidiary of the JSE Securities Exchange-listed UCS Group Limited, the country`s largest supplier of retail software.

CKS has purchased a TradeRoot-developed EFT switch to handle the processing of electronic transactions on behalf of its more than 900 clients. The switch will increase the speed, security and convenience of the system. It also opens up opportunities for value-added offerings due to TradeRoot`s unique capability to present virtual inventories at the point-of-sale via secure links or TradeGates. Inventory workflow and the settlement of funds are also processed through this pipeline.

A half million transactions are processed by the Smart Health network on a monthly basis. This number is set to increase significantly through the addition of new clients and value-added transactions. The network is currently running at 25% of its capacity. The TradeRoot switch will also form part of the new Doctor`s Practice Management module.

Pharmacies linked to the Smart Health network are electronically connected to all the medical aids. The system facilitates real-time processing for dispensaries.

"Smart Health is the only network of its kind that can provide connectivity to pharmacies and service providers through a number of channels including radio-pad, analogue, ISDN dial-up or fixed-line," says Gordon Matheson, director of CKS.

"The TradeRoot solution supports all these methods and is easily integrated into our client`s systems architecture. We believe TradeRoot will play an important role in helping us develop our network as far as authentication, secure payment and settlement of funds, electronic inventory procurement and the integration of value-added services are concerned," Matheson concludes.

"The CKS network is used and trusted by pharmacy retailers countrywide. TradeRoot is proud to be associated with the UCS Group and will look to provide additional functionality to help grow the Smart Health reputation," says Mark Schech, market development officer of TradeRoot Technologies.

TradeRoot Technologies

TradeRoot is a transaction technology solutions provider, specialising in building and deploying bank and payment gateways. TradeRoot`s technology provides an end-to-end electronic commerce solution with integrated control over reach, transaction fulfilment and the communication pipelines.

Computerkit Systems

Computerkit Systems (Pty) Ltd is a subsidiary of the UCS Group, which is a company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. CKS is a leading developer and provider of point-of-sale (POS) and dispensing systems to the retail pharmacy industry in SA.

The CKS Smart Health Network connects CKS customers to every major medical aid in the country. The network guarantees retail pharmacy customers access to real-time authorisations for script and other transactions in the dispensary. The network can accept 240 concurrent dial-up connections and over 200 digital fixed-line connections.

On average over 500 000 medical aid transactions a month are processed through the network. The average bandwidth utilisation of the network is less than 25% of capacity, which means that there is almost unlimited scope for further growth at a low incremental cost.

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