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  • Zetes launches ZetesAthena, cloud-based solution to centrally manage in-store operations of multi-branch ret...

Zetes launches ZetesAthena, cloud-based solution to centrally manage in-store operations of multi-branch retailers

Johannesburg, 03 May 2013

Zetes, the EMEA leader in collaborative supply chain solutions, launches ZetesAthena, its in-store management solution for the retail industry.

Zetes Athena not only helps retailers to manage typical in-store operations efficiently, but enables them to do so centrally thanks to its cloud-based approach. Especially for those companies managing several shops locally or internationally, this approach brings about important benefits in terms of efficiency, visibility and investments to be made.

Every retailer wishes to optimise inventory and stock accuracy, avoid out of stock situations and handle customer orders and returns efficiently. Typically, when managing multiple stores/branches, the implementation of an in-store solution that helps them achieve the desired aims requires significant investment in local store IT infrastructure.

The impact is twofold, requiring substantial capex and a high level of local system maintenance. With ZetesAthena, retailers can streamline in-store operations while managing them easily through the central IT department.

Easy cloud-based deployment, no hidden costs

ZetesAthena makes use of the cloud-based MCL Mobility Platform, developed by Zetes' sister company MCL Technologies. This allows apps to be stored centrally in the Enterprise Application Store and sent or accessed directly from the mobile terminals used by the shop workers, regardless of the hardware or infrastructure used in the local stores.

This brings a number of important advantages:

* Ability to manage different branches with no local IT department
* Automatic application and product information updates
* Reduced data input time for staff in the store, allowing increased customer-facing time
* Easy deployment for new stores and/or devices
* No hidden costs: no investments in servers, databases, OS licences, resources to maintain the infrastructure and databases, disaster recovery
* One-hundred percent visibility on product availability in all the shops

The solution is offered as a SaaS (software-as-a-service) solution, offering fully managed services including hardware maintenance and support. The MCL Mobility Platform also enables customers to adapt and optimise processes to their future business needs.

No more lost sales through empty shelves

In addition to the fact that the solution is cloud-based and offered as a SaaS, ZetesAthena also offers all the classical benefits of an in-store solution:
* Avoid empty shelves
* Execute real-time inventory
* Get accurate visibility on stockroom and sales floor availability
* Make a clear distinction between click and collect stock and shop floor stock
* Get rid of paper work and increase data accuracy
* Easily manage customer orders, customer returns and inter-branch transfers
* Keep track of stock movements
* Handle price and promotion management efficiently

Marcel Kars, Senior VP Sales and Marketing, declares: "ZetesAthena's unique approach, enabled through the MCL Mobility Platform, has already generated particular interest from major European retailers running multiple stores across several countries. It allows them to look at their store operations management in a new way that brings them even more visibility and efficiency. The solution responds to their two main preoccupations: keeping their costs under control and increasing customer satisfaction. With ZetesAthena, we now offer our customers full supply chain optimisation and traceability all the way from the packaging line to the store."

Additional features:

* Multi-platform (WM/CE & Android)
* Device independent
* Infrastructure independent
* Component of an extended supply chain set of solutions
* Standard integration interfaces
* Standard applications with gap-fit capability

For more information on ZetesAthena, visit http://www.zetes.com/en/supply-chain-and-mobility-solutions/zetesathena-instore-solutions.

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Zetes

Zetes (Euronext Brussels: ZTS) is a leading provider of supply chain, identification and mobility solutions. By utilising automatic identification technologies in an intelligent way, Zetes links goods and people to new and existing IT systems. The result for its customers is seamless information exchange, with data captured at every stage of the process and made available in real-time. Zetes' solutions thus provide companies, public institutions and governments with the desired control over their floor and field operations, which allow them to optimise overall performance, improve their bottom line and face the most demanding traceability challenges.

The Zetes Group has its headquarters in Belgium and employs more than 1 000 people across 16 countries in EMEA. Zetes aspires to achieve sustainable profit and growth; its consolidated revenue for 2011 amounted to EUR220.6 million. More info: www.zetes.com

Zetes South Africa

Zetes South Africa is part of the leading pan-European company that provides value-added solutions and services based on the automatic identification of goods and people (Goods ID and People ID). Zetes uses both emerging and mature technologies (bar code, voice recognition, RFID, smart cards, biometrics), and develops focused solutions to optimise the business performance of many customers through the supply chain across many market segments: manufacturing, transportation, logistics, retail, healthcare, finance, telecommunication, government and public services.

In September 2012, Zetes SA consolidated its three operations, namely Zetes, Zetes Media and iData Distribution, into one strong entity, enabling customers to have access to industry-leading supply chain solutions from a single source. At this time, Zetes' distribution business was also integrated into the business. Zetes' head office in South Africa is situated in Bedfordview, Johannesburg, with regional offices in Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.www.zetes.co.za More info: www.zetes.com

Zetes' supply chain solutions

Zetes transforms the way modern supply chains collaborate. Its process optimisation solutions for packaging, warehousing, proof of delivery, direct store delivery and in-store management, connected by Zetes Track & Trace repository, enables major organisations to achieve end-to-end product traceability, from manufacture right through to the household. Zetes plays an important role in helping organisations to meet global traceability challenges such as serialisation, diversion, safety, regulatory compliance and anti-counterfeiting. Zetes integrates the latest cloud-based platforms with its state-of-the-art ImageID, voice recognition, RFID, coding and mobile computing technologies. As a reliable partner, Zetes guarantees the best life cycle management of its solutions through its ZetesTotalCare and ZetesTotalFinance.

Editorial contacts

Tumi Mkhondo
P and P Communications
(+27) 11 447 3511
tumi@pandp.co.za