Proprietary software company, Integrity Software SA, has chosen Sybase as the development environment for its Web enabled retail automation solution, Integrity Trader. Aimed at point of sale (POS) and distribution vertical markets, the application has been developed to run across multiple companies and distribution centres for retailers and wholesalers and is not limited to a specific number of stores.
Sybase PowerBuilder was selected as the development tool, along with SQL Anywhere, a Sybase database which enables the delivery of corporate information to workgroup, mobile and embedded database systems. The four main modules include head office, distribution, back office and front-end POS.
"Integrity Trader is far more than an electronic POS solution," says Integrity Software national sales manager Anton Gaylard. "It's a complete merchandising environment designed to meet the needs of anyone who has anything to sell, from general dealers to supermarkets. Because it's tailored to specifically suit the sales environment, it does not clutter systems with irrelevant options. It combines point of sale functionality with merchandising, debtors, creditors and wholesaling facilities, and is easily implemented and integrated with existing business systems."
Integrity Trader is fully compliant with current major retailing standards and is based on the Association of Retail Standards (ARTS) data model making it compliant with most major SQL databases. Features include Internet enablement and touchscreen technology. It incorporates National Retail Federation (NRF) colour and size standards, OPOS/UPOS device interface standards, and Uniform Code Council (UCC) bar code standards and facilitates electronic data interchange (EDI) between retailers and suppliers.
As is to be expected the application offers multi-level security, powerful import and export functionality, rapid transaction processing, comprehensive stock management, cash control, profitability monitoring, bar code scanning, label printing as well as extremely flexible and detailed reporting through the embedded report writer.
Gaylard points out that specialised software features include a colour and size matrix for clothing and footwear, laybyes, sale and return, hire purchase and revolving credit modules. The head office and distribution systems provide centralised control and offer a snapshot of the business as a whole, or of single branches and franchises. There is also a facility to interface with systems linked directly to banks for the authorisation of credit and debit card transactions.
Integrity Trader will integrate with CCTV systems to relay what is happening as well as show an overlay on screen of what is rung up on the till slip at the point of sale. An option is available for the automatic recording of sensitive transactions such as no sales and refunds. A serial number, cellular and voucher-tracking module tracks the movement of stock by serial number. This is used for warranty purposes and identifies where, when and to whom a product was sold. This option can also be extended to include tracking of cell phones and gift vouchers.
A customer loyalty module integrates easily with existing loyalty programmes and helps to enhance customer-merchant relationships. The module provides access to clients' individual spending habits and records all purchases to the customer database against which numerous reports - such as most valued customers and customer mailing lists - can be drawn.
Gaylard notes that the Sybase solution was chosen for its ease of use and speed of development, as well as its ability to ensure robust product performance. SQL Anywhere's features include multi-site replication, functionality across multiple platforms, and ease of use.
"PowerBuilder has many rapid development features to deliver reliable, successful software applications on time and on budget," adds Sybase SA's Bryn Davies. "Component and Web development are made easy ensuring an environment that can take Integrity into the future."
"With the rate at which technology is developing, solutions must be taken to market rapidly without compromising reliability," says Gaylard. "Sybase has enabled Integrity Software to develop an application that suits any retailing or wholesaling environment and offers maximum functionality, interoperability, and rapid deployment based on the most sophisticated and reliable new technologies."
Share
Editorial contacts