A NEW PARADIGM FOR RETAIL SYSTEMS; SQL-RETAIL INVITES RETAILERS TO THINK OUT OF THE BOX

SQL-Retail, a new "out-of-the-box" retail solution from Radius Retail, designed specifically for the Microsoft SQL Server database, was announced at the National Retail Federation Annual Convention and EXPO in New York.

SQL-Retail brings together the new Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 database, data warehouse technology from MicroStrategy, and client/server Microsoft Windows-based applications, all pre-installed on scalable Compaq servers running Windows NT. SQL-Retail provides full merchandising and supply chain management functionality for a total "out-of-the-box" solution.

Targeted at retailers with sales between $300m and $10m, SQL-Retail provides, for the first time, a client/server solution that allows a smaller retailer to buy into the benefits enjoyed by their larger competitors. For example, the system includes a data warehouse with pre-defined metrics and queries, plus an Executive Information System for point and click information retrieval. Automated replenishment and inventory allocations are designed to optimize retail performance and reduce the burden of inventory management.

SQL-Retail is designed for retailers who want a solution built around the consistent, open standards of Microsoft products. By utilizing the ease-of-use and scalability of Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 database, SQL-Retail is inherently easier to implement and manage than comparable solutions on competing database platforms.

"Microsoft is pleased to see Radius Retail taking advantage of the Windows platform to create complete solutions such as SQL-Retail," said Todd Weatherby, group marketing manager for retail and supply chain at Microsoft Corp. "This is an excellent example of how retailers can use SQL Server 7.0 to create data warehouses that efficiently analyze and exchange large amounts of information and more effectively link in-store and supply chain operations."

Many small and medium retailers want to buy a solution that comes pre-installed on hardware that is familiar and easy to manage. With SQL-Retail, these retailers now have access to a solution that comes pre-installed on a new Compaq Proliant 6000 Windows NT Server. The system includes software to manage centralized inventory control of stores and distribution centers, as well as retail merchandising functions such as price management. By re-inventing the turnkey concept, SQL-Retail takes much of the complexity out of implementing client server retailing.

As the new millennium rapidly approaches, the ability for smaller retailers to purchase a solution that offers out-of-the-box retailing is a very attractive proposition for any company still facing a Y2K problem.

SQL-Retail follows a data warehouse-centric design philosophy. Most of the inquiry and reporting functions of the package are provided through a data warehouse interface, providing information across all aspects of the business. Data warehouses are frequently used by larger retailers to increase turns and margins and to get closer to their customers. SQL-Retail's data warehouse also includes dynamic links to PC workbenches built using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet Visual Basic functionality. These workbenches allow merchants to work in a familiar Excel environment to manipulate information. Once they are happy with the results, the information can be processed back into the core SQL-Retail transaction processing system.

SQL-Retail will be sold and implemented throughout North America by a network of resellers with practical retail expertise. These resellers will offer a variety of add-on applications, including integrated point-of-sale (POS) solutions and services such as system integration and implementation. SQL-Retail incorporates a flexible, software-defined POS interface that allows resellers to easily integrate it into existing or new POS solutions. It will also be delivered with pre-defined interfaces to SQL Server-based financial applications.