Toshiba buys IBM's POS business

retail point-of-sale (POS) business for $850 million, with the Japanese company taking over the hardware business, while IBM shifts its focus to back-end software solutions, PC Advisor states.

Toshiba Tec, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate that sells POS products such as cash registers and printers, said the deal is expected to close by early in the third quarter.

IBM said Toshiba will sign a multi-year deal to become a partner in offering IBM's expanding "Smarter Commerce" platform, which aims to provide customers with a similar experience when shopping online and in-store.

R&D Magazine says retailers, including those with global store operations, will benefit from accelerated development of new products and solutions for regional and geographic needs.

Toshiba Tec customers will also benefit from a “one-stop retail store solution” providing comprehensive support - planning, maintenance and services - to help them accelerate new store deployments worldwide.

"Together, IBM and Toshiba Tec represent the broadest multi-channel offerings worldwide," said Craig Hayman, GM, Industry Solutions, IBM Software Group.

“The opportunities in retail store solutions are expected to grow by increasing demand in (point-of-sale) systems. In addition, demand for multi-channel integration and enhancement of store back-office management accelerates further expansion of sales,” says Mamoru Suzuki, Toshiba Tec president and CE, WRAL quotes.