ACCESSVIA ANNOUNCES SUPPORT OF MICROSOFT'S SMARTER RETAILING INITIATIVE
AccessVia Web dSignShop helps retailers improve the customer experience and reduce store labor
SEATTLE, February 27, 2004 - AccessVia ® , the leading provider of automated sign printing solutions and electronic display technologies for retailers, today announced that it supports the Microsoft ® Smarter Retailing Initiative, a comprehensive solutions framework for unleashing the next generation of retail innovation, with the release of Web dSignShop ® 4.0.
Web dSignShop delivers retailers key benefits in three critical areas targeted by the Smarter Retailing Initiative: Smarter Shopping, Smarter Selling and Smarter Operations. The award-winning Web dSignShop has been enthusiastically received by retailers looking to deliver more information to their customers in the aisles with better signage, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and improved sales. Web dSignShop also allows retailers to publish price changes quickly in response to market conditions-ultimately resulting in improved margins. Operational efficiencies are another benefit of Web dSignShop with the easy deployment of a Web-based system. ROI evaluations show that efficient shelf-edge execution reduces store labor costs. Retailers such as Staples, Supervalu, The Sports Authority and the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) have quickly and affordably implemented automated in-store printing across the enterprise using Web dSignShop.
Web dSignShop utilizes Microsoft .NET technologies and was recognized in both 2002 and 2003 as a Microsoft Retail Application Developer (RAD) Award winner. Selected by a panel of independent judges, the Microsoft RAD Award highlights the most innovative Microsoft-based software solutions for the retail and supply chain industries.
"Web dSignShop from AccessVia delivers benefits across all three components of the Smarter Retailing Initiative - Smarter Shopping, Smarter Selling, and Smarter Operations," said Brian Scott, general manager, Retail & Hospitality Industry Solutions Group, Microsoft Corp. "Web dSignShop enables fast and efficient delivery of powerful communication from retailers to consumers-communication that improves customer satisfaction, loyalty and propensity to buy."
"AccessVia is dedicated to developing solutions that improve the in-store experience for both customers and sales associates," said Dean A. Sleeper, chief executive officer of AccessVia. "With the speed of execution and ease of integration provided by Microsoft .NET and Web services, Microsoft technology continues to provide the best foundation for AccessVia solutions. The Smarter Retailing Initiative provides a roadmap for weaving together solutions to tap existing assets in new ways, delivering new value-a roadmap useful for independent software vendors and retailers alike."
The AccessVia Print solution includes both Web dSignShop and dSIGN ® to provide clients with accurate and attractive signs, shelf-edge labels, fact tags, coupons, and more. Web dSignShop is designed for retailers who want to use the Internet, an intranet, or an extranet to publish signs using a Web browser without installing or maintaining in-store software. dSIGN is built for classic client/server implementations and offers advanced product data delivery and unmatched integration with legacy systems. AccessVia also offers a solution for automated electronic displays, including customer-facing POS displays, self-service terminals, and kiosk applications for price verification, assisted shopping, endless aisle services, and gift registry.
AccessVia customers include Bed Bath & Beyond, Kroger, LCBO, Petco, Safeway, Staples, SUPERVALU, Target and Walgreens.
About Microsoft's Smarter Retailing Initiative
The Microsoft Smarter Retailing Initiative helps retailers win today by leveraging current investments, and win tomorrow by easing delivery of new retail experiences. Consisting of Smarter Shopping, Smarter Selling and Smarter Operations, the Smarter Retailing Initiative is designed to close the loop between the retailer's strategy, the in-store execution and familiar technologies already in the consumer's hands. More information can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/smartretail/ .AccessVia customers include Bed Bath and Beyond, Kroger, LCBO, Petco, Safeway, Staples, SUPERVALU, Target, Walgreens and Wal-Mart.
About AccessVia, Inc.
AccessVia takes retailers beyond price point to a place where they can truly connect with customers at the moment of choice. Smart consumers expect more than flashing lights and red type. The new consumer requires new messaging.
AccessVia Consumer Messaging Optimization Services help you to envision that future and make it happen. Seasoned retail professionals, armed with best practices, industry benchmarks and new ideas, work with your team to transform your consumer messaging effectiveness and efficiency. AccessVia Publishing Platform solutions provide the software tools to extend your retail brand promise to the Last Mile – where the customer chooses to browse or buy.
Create new business processes for the future then manage your publishing systems with software being used today by Global 500 companies in over 40,000 retail stores. Take your customers beyond price point with AccessVia.
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For more information contact:
Gaylene C. Meyer
206-285-4994 x150
