The 2005 Microsoft Partner Programme Awards recognise Microsoft partners that developed and delivered exceptional Microsoft-based solutions over the past year.
With nearly 2 000 entries submitted from around the globe, Microsoft announced DigiPoS Systems` Retail Blade as its choice for its 2005 Global Technology Innovation Award, Global Partner of the Year.
The awards ceremony took place on 9 July at the Minneapolis Convention Centre during its annual Worldwide Partner Conference.
"The past year has been unparalleled in terms of the level of innovative solutions Microsoft partners have developed and delivered to our mutual customers," said Allison Watson, vice-president of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group at Microsoft. "Those at DigiPoS Systems have set themselves apart from an extremely competitive field, and we applaud them for this well-deserved victory. Their achievement is exemplary of the kind of vision that will help take us beyond the solutions of today to realise the full potential of technology in business."
"Retail Blade technology epitomises the spirit of this innovation award by delivering a change in POS. It is our goal to address genuine customer needs, which is the same approach of the development of Microsoft`s WePOS and RMS product - developed to reduce the number of things that keep retailers up at night," says Graham Worsfold, founder of DigiPoS Systems Group.
DigiPoS Systems Retail Blade is the first and only standalone "point of service" (POS) system with the benefits of Blade technology. This enables retailers using the Retail Blade to upgrade or repair their systems by sliding out the tray (blade) that is currently in the system, and sliding in a replacement or upgraded blade in literally minutes. This functionality is made available without the need for a technician, change of software, or having to disconnect all the cables and send it back to the manufacturer.
Today`s most common POS installations require retailers to rip and replace all of their existing systems in order to bring in the power needed to take advantage of popular POS applications (including customer relationship management applications, loyalty programmes, stock control, merchandising and much more). The DigiPoS Retail Blade is designed to enable retailers to upgrade components, software and applications without a full-scale replacement. Simply replace only the incremental components to bring it to the desired level of performance. The cost is only a fraction of a full replacement, ultimately meaning retailers can have the same POS installed for 10 years or more and not suffer when technology moves forward. This puts the control back into the hands of retailers, who are able to leverage a 10-year warranty on the Retail Blade Host.
"The total cost of ownership rises significantly when an upgrade requires hardware to be replaced and all the peripherals have to be taken off and re-connected and application software has to be reinstalled. DigiPoS Systems` Retail Blade should give retailers a 30% to 40% savings on their cost of ownership, since the longer they can keep their core investment working for them, the better their return on investment," says Rob Marano, Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Mark Leaper, President of DigiPoS Systems Group, says: "Being recognised for this prestigious award is very exciting for us. It is evident that the industry is truly acknowledging and embracing the benefits Retail Blade technology has to offer retailers and partners like Microsoft."
DigiPoS provides cost-saving service-enhancing POS solutions to retailers around the globe such as Claire`s, Laura, NEXT, Harvey Nichols, Majestic Wine, ESCADA, Swarovski, Merkur Chocolates, and many others.
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