Hertford, UK – Hutchison 3G UK, the third generation mobile phone company, has completed rollout of Retail-J software in its new flagship ‘3Stores’ and 250 concessions in Superdrug outlets. This is the first time a web-based store management system has been fully deployed in the UK.

3’s decision to select Retail-J was based on the system’s capabilities in mobile phone retailing, and application of modern technologies to create a future-proofed retail system that would support 3’s business practices now and in the future. Barry Andersen is Head of Retail Systems at 3; “We needed to work with a supplier and software platform that could offer flexibility to scale up to meet future needs – including the roll out to 3’s ‘shop-in-shops’ in selected Superdrug stores.”

The new 3-branded stores in London and Birmingham have been designed to reflect their status as centres of technology for third generation mobile multimedia and communications services. Point of service terminals at the consultative sales counters allow sales associates to provide on-line services and to assist customers in their purchase decisions – part of 3’s initiative to build a new kind of consumer experience.

To deliver real-time stock, promotions and customer information at the sales counters - which are visible to customers - 3 selected Retail-J’s thin client point of sale solution, linked to a store server. Using a web-browser, 3 could deploy multiple point of service and back office applications with a consistent user interface that complemented the look-and-feel of the stores.

Retail-J co-exists with 3’s Acquire and Register Customer package, which also uses a browser interface. Sales and inventory data captured at the point of sale is managed by Retail-J’s Estate Manager application to provide real-time visibility of information across the estate. “The result”, continues Julian, “is that we manage the entire customer journey, from proposition to payment at the point of sale, and hold a single view of the customer at head office.”

Using industry standard J2EE tools and techniques - such as XML, HTTP, JSP’s and Servlets, Retail-J offered architectural compliance with 3’s other systems, as well as a wide range of functionality, central management and control. IBM SurePOS 300 terminals are linked to a store server, to provide the key retail requirements of performance and resilience and on-line interaction in a seamless enterprise-wide solution. At head office the system is interfaced to the company’s Retail Logic Payment Gateway: the final phase of integration will be to complete the on-line interaction with 3’s financial systems.

About 3
Hutchison 3G UK Limited deliver third-generation mobile multimedia and communications services under the 3 brand in the UK, offering a convergence of media, information and telephony to enable live video calls, multimedia content and entertainment while on the move. 3 services are available from sister companies in Australia, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Italy and Sweden. 3 also holds UMTS licences in Ireland, Israel and Norway.

3 Facts About 3:

 3 is a video mobile network - the first 'third generation' network to launch in the UK
 3 is the only network in the UK currently able to offer mobile technology's most unique application - person to person video calling
 Using 3G technology, 3 has built a new network that offers customers a combination of access to cutting edge video mobile services and great value voice calls

About Retail-J
Retail-J was formed in 2000 by a team of leading retail systems architects to develop a modern, integrated and network-centric suite of in-store and central applications for medium and large-size retailers. Using the Java 2 Enterprise Edition open platform and standards, the Retail-J system offers true on-line retailing, greater functionality and resilience, giving retailers lower cost of ownership, flexibility and choice. Retail-J software is distributed in the UK, Europe and North America through a network of specialised dealers. For more information about Retail-J, readers can visit the company’s web site at www.Retail-J.com.

Interviews, photography and further information are available from Tony Hammond.

Retail-J
Tel: 01992 538074
tony.hammond@Retail-J.com

Back to news