JSE Securities Exchange listed UCS Group Limited, SA`s biggest retail software company, has signed distribution agreements with two UK-based software vendors (Retail Business Solutions and Hero Systems) that will see it exporting its Universal and CCS retail software. "Although we have been looking at the export market for some time, with the current weakness of the Rand now is an excellent time to export Rand-based software" says Grant Wellbeloved, UCS sales and marketing manager.
With a number of blue chip retailers as clients, including Joshua Doore, Pep Stores, Beares, Lewis and OK Furniture, some 5000 stores are currently using the group`s software solutions. These include its Universal software for large retail chains, its Unisolv healthcare software for pharmacies and its Retail Office solution for supermarkets, hospitality and cellular stores from subsidiary CCS.
Retail Business Solutions, which focuses on the bottom end of the market with its own Charm solution currently boasts 900 customers in the UK, spanning 10 000 points of sale. While the company offers services to top-end retailers, including the managing of data, it is aiming to break into the top end of the market with UCS`s Universal software solution.
Mike Rogers, sales manager at Retail Business Solutions, said the approach to retail software solutions is changing. "The UCS solution is totally integrated from point of service through in-store back office to distribution centres and head office. Instead of every till having to be a function-rich Windows-based machine, we can even run the UCS software on older 486 PCs at the point of service. This brings down the cost of ownership and also enables companies to make the most of their investment in IT systems." Another reason for the lower cost of ownership is due to the fact that UCS`s software is developed in Java and runs the free-to-market Linux operation system. "We believe Java is the next wave for retail solutions. The architecture that UCS has embraced allows rapid development and fast deployment of software through a large retail chain. In addition, Internet access is available at the point of service without having to install expensive Windows compliant hardware."
The second distribution deal is with Hero Systems which sells POS and back office systems to mid sized retailers and has a network of value added resellers focusing on the smaller end of the market. They will be distributing the Retail Office and Protill software from UCS subsidiary CCS. "What has amazed us in the UK is to find that the CCS software appears to be ahead of locally available packages when it comes to flexibility, stability, and features" says Pat Brigg, managing director of Hero Systems. "Several of our customers and VARs were of the opinion that the CCS software was the best they had seen from anywhere in the world", Brigg concluded.
"But certainly one of our main advantages, besides our relationships with Retail Business Solutions and Hero Systems - and their experience in the UK market - is that the weakness of the Rand makes our solution that much more cost effective for UK companies," said Wellbeloved.
The UCS Group, is an investment holding company for a group of information technology businesses focused on the provision of software solutions and outsourcing services in selected niche markets.
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