Ultimate Connection (PTY) Ltd, the retail software manufacturing house in the JSE Securities Exchange listed Connection Group, has won the prestigious Microsoft Retail Application Developers (RAD) awards 2002 as the best General Merchandise and Specialty Store software Application in Europe, The Middle-East and Africa at Le Pre Catelan, Paris, on the evening of 9th April 2002.
Regarded as the ultimate prize in retail technology, a RAD award recognises innovation, vision and excellence in the use of Microsoft technologies. The awards are given to companies which make innovative use of technology as a means of enabling better interaction with customers and which deliver measurable business value in the retail sector.
This years RAD awards were organised in association with the annual Global Retail Technology Forum 2002 and co-sponsored by Compaq Computer Corporation, EMC Corporation and Intel Corporation.
Michel Annink, Retail Industry Manager, Microsoft EMEA, commented: "It`s incredible to see the innovative applications companies are developing across the region based on Microsoft technology. This year proved how cutting-edge technology can both improve the customer experience and business profitability."
The pace of development in retail technology applications was reflected in the high calibre of applications received this year. Entries flooded in from across the EMEA region and judges deliberated over applications in countries including France, Italy, Belgium, Czech Republic, South Africa, Israel, Romania and Greece.
Michael Gerling, Managing Director, EHI and RAD Award judge, said: "This year it was clear that companies had really thought through the business issues as well as the technology issues. Seeing retail developers implement Internet technology was very exciting and the next step we expect to see is the same for mobile technology. It was also great to see Eastern European developers here with leading, powerful applications."
Finalists were judged according to criteria such as quantifiable business benefits, ease of adoption, best integration and exploitation of Internet and intranet technologies and best use of available Microsoft technology.
On 26 May 1999 Ultimate Connection also became the first South African software company to win this global software award from Microsoft by sneaking away with the Special Award category for software innovation in London and in so doing scored a "world first" for the South African software industry.
Neels van Tonder, managing director of Ultimate Connection, said: "Winning this latest award is once again a world-breaking achievement and honour for us. It not only re-affirms Ultimate Connection`s status as a retail software developer on a truly international level, but it also opens up huge opportunities for us in the software export market, and in particular to Europe which is regarded as the second largest retail application market in the world. This latest award is also a testimony to our longevity as a world-class software manufacturer." he said.
Ultimate Connection has been steadily gaining market share with its ActiveRetail solution and currently boasts clients such as Incredible Connection, Teljoy, Courts, Cell C, @home, Loads of Living and a contract to roll out its solution at more than 1 200 Foschini stores.
The company is now one of the fastest growing retail software providers in SA, and has sold its Microsoft-based retail software solution into more than 3000 companies in Africa and the USA.
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Ultimate Connection has been providing solutions to the retail market for more than 15 years. With more than 3000 customers in very many diverse sectors with specific needs has given us a clear understanding of what it takes to develop solutions, deliver, and support customers in this demanding industry. Ultimate Connection`s offerings include ActiveRetail, which addresses real functional needs within a business; innovative functionality such as web-based cataloguing, time and attendance, ability to integrate into the standard Windows Desktop systems for budget planning, e-mail, SMS capabilities for dealing with real business exceptions issues; and integrated WorkFlow that allows retailers to streamline their business operations by automating processes running across multiple business operations. Additional information about Ultimate Connection can be obtained by visiting http://www.ultconnect.com/, E-mail to info@ultconnect.com, or by calling +27 (0)12 643-8300.
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