CHICAGO, Il. -- SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) today announced the launch of SAP® POS Data Management, a new solution enabling faster and more efficient processing and analysis of point-of-sale (POS) data for more strategic and responsive decision making. A stand-alone application that integrates directly with business intelligence and other enterprise systems, the new solution, part of the SAP for Retail solution suite, eliminates the need for POS data to be processed in a merchandise management system and gives retailers rapid insight and visibility into key issues affecting the performance of their business. SAP made the announcement at the Retail Systems Conference and Exposition, held June 9-12, in Chicago, Il.
To maximize sales and minimize inventory, retailers need to react within days or even hours to changes in consumer behavior and customer demand for convenience, choice, and value. SAP POS Data Management improves decision making at all levels by providing retailers with convenient, fingertip access to up-to-the-minute, accurate, and reliable POS information about events and promotions, prices and margins, reason codes for returns, and other key parameters. The solution's Web-based user interface provides standardized reports at the click of a mouse, enabling retail management to access, explore, and analyze incoming sales information fast and easily. With SAP POS Data Management, retailers have the analytical support and insight they need to perform more effective long-term strategic and operational decision making, as well as to capitalize on emerging business opportunities.
"In a highly competitive market driven by the fast-changing whims of consumers, retailers need to be able to respond nimbly to regional, international, and other demographic shifts in sales patterns," said Greg Girard, AMR Research. "Solutions that integrate POS data directly with analytic applications help retailers identify and respond more quickly to opportunities to enhance business performance. These solutions can be the key to realizing the full value of data generated directly from consumer buying activity."
SAP POS Data Management can be utilized by retailers in a stand-alone mode on a single instance. In addition to linking seamlessly with SAP applications, the solution integrates with non-SAP applications through flexible interfaces. Pre-defined templates help retailers ease and accelerate implementation times for faster return on investment. The solution enables POS processing and analytics features tailored to a variety of roles -- from store managers to replenishment planners -- and includes integrated sales audit capabilities to ensure that all data is complete and accurate.
"With the SAP solution starting July 1, we will deliver POS data from our retail outlets directly to our business intelligence system and the heart of our business," said Albert Balvers, executive member of the board, Vroom&Dreesmann, a leading Netherlands-based department store retailer. Vroom&Dreesman will use the solution to increase the efficiency of retail processes along the supply chain. "The solution makes it much easier to process large amounts of data from our retail outlets and share it with decision makers across our entire organization who can turn information into action and action into results. SAP POS Data Management allows a significant move closer toward real-time retailing, with the result of a better understanding of the consumer's behavior."
SAP POS Data Management links to a range of follow-on processes, such as inventory management, financials, billing, and credit card settlement. The solution supports trickle polling, giving planners up-to-the minute visibility to vital daily activities. Its highly integrated features reduce the strain on other systems, such as merchandise management, which otherwise must often work through the night processing mission-critical data.
"With more than thirty years experience and expertise from relationships with more than 1,400 of the world's leading retailers, SAP is introducing a complete and open solution that delivers relevant, timely, and insightful information," said Jim McMurray, senior vice president, Industry Business Unit Retail, SAP. "By unlocking the value of critical customer information, SAP POS Data Management gives retailers yet another powerful tool in the comprehensive SAP for Retail suite of solutions."
SAP POS Data Management is immediately available globally. More information on the solution and a demonstration can be seen at SAP booth number 1011 at the Retail Systems Convention and Exposition. Next Major Event: SAPPHIRE® '03 Orlando Leading small, midsized, and large enterprises from around the world will present how they are using SAP solutions to achieve business success at SAPPHIRE®, SAP's international customer conference being held in Orlando, Florida, June 16-18.
SAP is a leading provider of business software solutions. With subsidiaries in over 50 countries, the company is listed on several exchanges including the Frankfurt stock exchange and NYSE under the symbol "SAP." (Additional information at http://www.sap.com)
