September 19, Dear Media Representative:

Transcription

1 September 19, 2012 Dear Media Representative: It is my pleasure to provide this introductory PRESS KIT reviewing the benefits of optimizing store operations. Managing any retail operation requires process and understanding of business metrics. That is exactly what LOC Software s Store Management Suite (SMS) is designed to do. SMS provides retailers the tools necessary to streamline processes, automate activities, and maximize profitability throughout all aspects of a retail enterprise. This includes single store operators and multistore chains. Our system helps retailers manage things like inventory, pricing, replenishment, marketing to the consumers, even how to better compete with the large chains. Implementing technology is a core strategy for national retailers of all sorts, making it even more critical for independent operators to leverage the benefits. Our system is designed to remove the guess work out of retail operations, allowing retailers to focus on what really counts, the customer. We encourage you to drop by our booth, #306, in Halls E-G. We would enjoy meeting you and answering any questions you have. Our tag line is it s time you put technology to work, so in keeping with that theme, schedule us in your e-calendar today. Sincerely Jamie Gray Director, Marketing, LOC Software

2 NATURAL PRODUCTS STORE MANAGEMENT SUITE is a complete set of applications for independent natural product stores & cooperatives, from single to multistore chain environments THE SUITE For over 20 years, LOC Software has delivered solutions designed to integrate retail operations from the point of transaction to the ledger. Thousands of store owners use Store Management Suite (SMS) to serve customers, analyze data, and manage daily business in an efficient manner. Utilizing latest technology standards, SMS is an open solution that protects your investment today and prepares your business for the future. THE TECHNOLOGY The foundation of SMS is rooted in solid, proven industry standards designed to offer the protection you require and the flexibility you demand. Our system is a client to Microsoft s SQL database engine. This architecture ensures undeniable reliability, a robust feature set, and speed. Our concept of a toolbox allows the system to be personalized without changing the source code. Customization has never been easier, nor more stable. Now you too can have a solid store management system designed around your unique needs. EVERYTHING IS INCLUDED Whether you are looking for advanced promotional capabilities, or tighter integration with your multiple suppliers, SMS is the complete system for you. Our suite provides a cost effective, upgradeable solution capable of growing as your needs change. Natural product retailers no longer need multiple systems to meet their many business needs. SMS is tailored to you, in one seamless interface that is fast and flexible, safe and easy to use. From powerful merchandising & inventory control, fully integrated loyalty, multi-store management, and much more, SMS provides the tools. It s time you put technology to work for you. Buy, manage, and sell better. Save time. Save money. Grow your business. An Integrated Solution for Retailers

3 NATURAL PRODUCTS SMS FOR NATURAL RETAILERS OFFERS OPTIONAL MODULES Point of Sale: Process transactions quickly & efficiently through a customizable touch screen interface Purchasing & Receiving Management: Electronically order, receive & update inventory Secure: Fully PCI compliant, certified with both PCI DSS & Visa PABP Labor Management: Full-featured time management module Back Office Management: Full-featured item maintenance including movement analysis & ability to track profitability by category Mobile POS & Inventory Management: Perfect for queue busting, inventory management & price changes Inventory Control: Reliable inventory control system providing receiving & cost of goods management Kiosk & Price Checker: Verify price, customer points, balance & promotions Merchandising & Promotions Management: Unparalleled sale & promotional options offering virtually unlimited combinations Physical Security: Review transactions live or recorded from the back office Renting Feature: Rent DVD s, tools, cleaning machines Centralized Reporting & Price Updates: Create efficiencies through centralized summaries, reporting, & price book management Membership Management: Create, track, maintain member profiles & history from the POS, back office, or secure web Loyalty: Maintain customer profiles via integrated frequent shopper, manage gift cards, deliver electronic coupons during or after the transaction Integrated Payments: Direct interfaces with First Data, Mercury Payment, WorldPay, with no middleware Living Naturally Interfaces: Built-in interfaces to both ScanGenius & LoyaltyGenius Digital Signage: Create customizable point-of-purchase marketing messages Integrated Sign & Label Printing: Print signs & labels individually or in bulk directly from item maintenance An Integrated Solution for Retailers

4 Supplier Perspective Talking with Stephan Mercier, Founder and President, Loc Software Q& A For over 20 years, LOC Software has delivered solutions designed to fully integrate retail operations from the point of transaction to the accounting ledger. The company s Store Management Suite (SMS) is a complete set of applications for independent retailers, from single to multi-store chain environments, with a concentration in supermarkets, convenience stores and pharmacies. Founder and President Stephan Mercier explains how the features LOC s SMS offers can help retailers manage their businesses more efficiently. Q: What differentiates your product from other software systems on the market? Mercier: Our goal is to deliver a product that provides retailers all the data they need to profitably operate their store, anytime, anywhere. Our Store Management Suite is one of the only products that is an all-in-one solution that does that. Everything is in the same package POS, merchandising and inventory control, loyalty programs, back office, warehouse and more. All those functions grew organically from one data base system. That means the data is shared seamlessly between modules, so stores don t need two systems; it is simpler and more efficient. And our POS solution is completely hardware independent it works with any hardware and supports all industry peripherals. Retailers aren t locked into any hardware vendor. Q: Why is a system like SMS so important for retailers today? Mercier: These segments of the retail industry are operating in a high-volume, low-margin environment so efficiency is critical to success. Streamlining and automating operations as much as possible is key. It is also typically a highrisk, high-security environment where loss is a big concern. Owners have to keep an eye on pricing, on P&L, and they need to be able to get results as soon as possible. Our system looks at that data and warns owners if there are any anomalies that is an important part of the system. It gives them information that enables them to correct errors and distribute pricing changes quickly and reliably. And it helps reduce errors that can occur with manual input. It really benefits the stores it is a case where technology improves the daily life of the store owner. Q: What are some specific features of SMS that are particularly helpful to retailers? Mercier: Integration to the fuel pump is important because data goes right from the fuel pump to the POS. That means stores can cross-market their groceries with the fuel. For example, the retailer can send an offer to the customer at the pump to get them to walk into the store. That has become very popular because of the price of fuel. Customer loyalty is another. Our flexible system has a demographics tool that gives retailers the ability to create their own recipe for success. Promotions can be based off virtually any field that the system tracks, including total or cumulative sales, item or department or subdepartment sales, points or shopper level. This feature actually grew from field requests. Mobility is another critical and popular core piece of the system. It enables retailers to utilize mobile technology like smart phones and computers, which delivers operational efficiencies and can increase customer service. Receiving and inventory processes can be optimized with direct database connection via Wi-Fi. Changing prices is faster and updates happen simultaneously with a mobile computer and printer. And finally, the ability for multistore owners to centralize information from each location is important. Our system has the ability to fully synchronize systems between each store and the head office. From the retailer s perspective, that gives good control over all their stores they can analyze pricing and promotions and see how those things have impacted each individual store.

5 ALWAYS NATURAL Profit is the wholesome product of any store operation. Preserving heartiness requires the right balance and formula. Boost your profitability with the best technology has to offer. Reduce costs with automated purchasing. Identify shrink via inventory controls and reporting tools. Increase sales with advanced merchandising and promotions. It s time you put technology to work. Buy, manage, and sell better. Save time. Save money. Grow your business. An Integrated Solution for Retailers Schedule your checkup today. (514) profit@locsoftware.com

6 LOC Software Updated 8/7/2012 Corporate Profile LOC Software delivers solutions designed to fully integrate retail operations from the point of transaction to the accounting ledger. LOC Store Management Suite (SMS) is a complete set of applications for all independent retailers. Tailored into one seamless interface, SMS satisfies all of a retailer's needs, including powerful merchandising and inventory controls, fully integrated loyalty programs and multi-store management. LOC applications are intended for most hard goods retailers, with concentrations in the supermarket, convenience, pharmacy and natural products, and are available for foreign language markets. History LOC Software was founded near Montreal in The company and application have roots in the retail back office, with initial releases providing maintenance, polling and other features for industry leading point-of-sale (POS) equipment. In the early 1990 s, LOC developed a DOSbased back office solution for grocery stores. With the introduction of Windows 98, the company developed its first all Windows back office and host application. Within a few years, the company partnered with several leading POS manufacturers to offer a complete front end and back office solution. In 2000, LOC pioneered the first touch-based POS application focused on grocery. From there, the company extended its portfolio to include fuel, loyalty, warehouse and most components required within a retail enterprise. Today the company proudly supports installations on six continents. Senior Management Stephan Mercier, Founder & President Yvan Boutin, Senior Vice President, Fuel Sylvain Fournier, Senior Vice President, Operations Richard Bell, Senior Vice President, Sales Products Store Management Suite is a client-based retail solution that provides a seamless, integrated software suite that manages point of sale, back office, corporate office, warehouse and all aspects within the retail enterprise. The suite contains modules that are typically farmed out by other retail providers. Examples include bank integration, customer loyalty, labor management, mobile POS, pay-at-the-pump and digital signage. Customer and Installation Count 8,000+ active installations

7 Clients (Partial List) Balducci's Greenstar Natural Food Markets Houchens Markets Metro Sedano's Seicomart Sobey s Inc. Sunterra Markets The Grocery People LTD. The Northwest Company Tower Energy USA Drug Headquarters LOC Software 1650 Place de Lierre Laval, QC H7G 4X Website Media Contacts LOC Software Jamie Gray jamie.gray@locsoftware.com