VCSTIMELESS, leading software
and professional services provider to the non food
and speciality retail sector, today announced a
strategic partnership with Microsoft. The agreement
centres on the deployment of Microsoft® SQL
Server™, largely favoured by retailers, for
VCSTIMELESS’ existing retail
product suite, “Colombus”,
and the development of a completely new retail
management software suite based on Microsoft .NET
technologies.
Software pioneer VCSTIMELESS will once again set
itself apart from its competitors through leading
edge retail applications which are resolutely open,
simple, robust and in line with its clients’ current
and future technology requirements (OLAP technology,
n-tier architecture, integration of Microsoft office
tools, etc).
The focus of VCSTIMELESS is not only
to select a partner who can provide "innovative and
robust technology" but also to build a strong
Pan-European partnership in the retail
industry. “The
collaboration reflects the strategic importance
both companies attach to the specialty retail sector” Michel
Ramis, CEO of the VCSTIMELESS Group, acknowledges. "To
establish a partnership agreement with a company
of Microsoft’s calibre represents a significant
step in our development strategy and the penetration
of new European markets. The alliance will not
only increase the market’s confidence in
VCSTIMELESS but will also allow us to develop innovative
retail applications at reduced development costs,
and deliver excellent business value to our customers.
Using Microsoft’s technical, sales and marketing
resources and know-how, our commercial impact will
also be stronger."
VCSTIMELESS will integrate
Microsoft SQL Server and Analysis Services into
its flagship solution,
Colombus, from early 2004. This deployment will
also prove vital in enhancing the Colombus
business intelligence modules. In addition to the existing
Colombus
suite, VCSTIMELESS will adopt the Microsoft
.NET platform to develop a revolutionary rich client
/ thin client software suite, to be commercialised
from 2005. The latter will deploy n-tier architecture
and take advantage of all the possibilities offered
by web services.
" VCSTIMELESS is a natural choice as a partner
for Microsoft as the company is increasing its
presence within the European retail sector and
investing in research and development to create
innovative retail-specific solutions on the Microsoft
platform which will meet current and future needs,” says
Michel Annink. EMEA Group Manager Retail Industry,
Microsoft.
"
In particular, as the retail sector
is looking at technology to help it provide more
value to
the consumer, VCSTIMELESS is offering solutions
which can leverage information to help make smarter,
more timely business decisions and maximise the
opportunities afforded by the Internet and the
use of web services."
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