SUPERVALU DEPLOYS WEB DSIGNSHOP ® IN THREE CHAINS
Leading grocery retailer continues its multi-banner implementation of
AccessVia's in-store sign solution
SEATTLE, February 27, 2004 - AccessVia ® , the leading provider of automated sign printing solutions and electronic display technologies for retailers, today announced that SUPERVALU, Inc. (NYSE: SVU) has rolled out Web dSignShop in three of its grocery chains, marking key successes in the deployment of an enterprise-wide sign printing solution that both leverages corporate assets and meets the unique visual and data requirements of individual divisions. Farm Fresh, Cub Foods, and Scott's are now using AccessVia's Web-based in-store sign printing solution, and SUPERVALU is moving forward with implementations at its other chains in its network of over 1,400 retail grocery locations.
The deployments demonstrate Web dSignShop's success in offering multi-banner retailers a new model for delivering enterprise benefits to divisions that have varying signage needs, operational models, and data infrastructures. Web dSignShop is a centrally served print application that the stores access through SVHarbor, SUPERVALU's intranet, allowing them to print promotional signs and shelf-edge labels that feature up-to-the-minute item data from corporate databases. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all application, SUPERVALU is taking advantage of Web dSignShop's unique ability to deliver different interface components, design suites, and data content to its chains, or banners. After logging in, each store sees its own banner-branded sign templates and accesses batches of signs and labels that are customized for their region and store.
At the center of this breakthrough pairing of corporate and local assets is AccessVia's Web-based deployment technology. Automated parameters and patent-pending compression algorithms solved what had been an intractable performance problem for enterprise retailers: bypassing bandwidth slowdowns so that stores can print customized, data-rich signs quickly and easily. In early testing, SUPERVALU discovered that Web dSignShop running over a 56k dial-up connection outperformed their old solution running locally on a 100 MB network, and the speed and volume benchmarks in the latest deployments have definitively confirmed the superiority of AccessVia's Web technology for real-time content delivery.
"With Web dSignShop, SUPERVALU is able to combine the benefits of a large-scale application deployment-including centralized item data, licensing and operational efficiencies, and maintenance advantages-with the flexibility needed to serve diverse retail outlets," said AccessVia CEO Dean A. Sleeper. "It fundamentally changes the multi-banner environment, because it allows enterprise control and infinitely tailored branding. That's remarkable agility," he continued, "and it demonstrates that Web dSignShop has the sophistication to handle all the complexities of enterprise retailing."
John Eversman, Vice President for Information Technology at SUPERVALU, said, "Our banners are geographically diverse, serve different segments of the market, and have different management structures. On the one hand, we had no use for a cookie-cutter sign solution; on the other, we couldn't be saddled with administering hundreds of disparate systems. Web dSignShop is the answer. We can pursue creative local merchandising approaches and compete with the regional players. And we can do it using one centralized system that gives us control of sign layouts and the real-time item data. We get quality control and streamlined operations at headquarters, and an easy-to-use resource with real choices in the field," he said.
When asked what set AccessVia apart, Dean Knutson, Retail Systems Product Manager at SUPERVALU, commented, "First and foremost it was the file compression technology. Our IT people say AccessVia has really nailed that. Being able to deliver that to the stores and actually save the store time in printing out their sign batches is huge."
AccessVia Web dSignShop was recognized in both 2002 and 2003 as a Microsoft ® Retail Application Developer (RAD) Award winner. The Microsoft RAD Award highlights the most innovative Microsoft-based software solutions for the retail and supply chain industries.
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, Target, and Walgreens.
About SUPERVALU, Inc.
SUPERVALU, Inc. (NYSE: SVU), a Fortune 100 company, is one of the largest companies in the United States grocery channel. With annual revenues approaching $20 billion, SUPERVALU holds leading market share positions with its 1,468 retail grocery locations. In addition, through SUPERVALU's diverse logistics network, the company provides distribution and related logistics support services across the nation's grocery channel. Learn more about SUPERVALU at www.supervalu.com .
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
