STJ Retail Nominated for 2009 IBM Users Group Innovation Award

April 21, 2009 - PRLog -- STJ Retail and HMV have been nominated for the IBM Retail User Group Innovation Award for their implementation of STJ Retail’s new product, EFT Plus™.  This prestigious award is intended to showcase the retail company with the most innovative new solution in the retail space and the technology vendor for the winning retailer is honored with the Retail Solution Innovation Award.  This award carries a special significance because the winner is selected by their peers, the membership of the IBM Retail User Group organization.  

EFT Plus™ is an electronic funds transfer module that addresses the new Chip and PIN security standards introduced by Visa, MasterCard and Interac that have been implemented in over 86 countries world wide.  The first release of this product is specifically designed for the IBM 4690 POS environment and delivers a fully integrated payment solution that enables retailers to accept Chip and PIN cards.  In September 2008, STJ Retail began installing EFT Plus™ at HMV stores across Canada marking a first-time installation of a fully integrated and certified Chip and PIN solution in a 4690 environment in Canada.  As of May 2009 the EFT Plus™ solution will be installed in a total of 130 HMV stores

When asked about his feelings on being nominated for an award, CEO of STJ Retail Steve Braceland responded: “We are very honored that EFT Plus is being considered for the IBM User Group Innovation Award.  Our company has provided innovative solutions to the retail marketplace for over 14 years and our staff has worked diligently over the past 3 years to build EFT Plus.  It is a great feeling anytime you receive praise for your hard work and dedication.”

Innovation has been driving competitive advantage in retail for over a century however, in these times of rapid change, it has never been more important.  Judging criteria for the Innovation Award will be based on creativity and uniqueness with the ability to enhance consumer experience, reduce the cost of doing business and achieve a competitive advantage.  The Award will be presented at the Group’s 32nd annual conference in Las Vegas, May 17-20, 2009.

About HMV
With over 80 years of music retailing history and 400+ stores worldwide, HMV Group LLC is the world's premier retailer of music, DVD, videogames, books and more. The HMV Group includes the Waterstone's, Dillon's and Ottakar's book chains and is continually growing within the international retail music industry. It has proven itself as an innovative leader in Canada since 1988.  HMV Canada has grown from a small retail music chain to become one of Canada's music market leaders with over 130 stores from Newfoundland to British Columbia. For more information about the company and its services, please visit www.hmv.ca

About STJ Retail
Headquartered just north of Toronto, Canada, STJ Retail has been providing innovative solutions to the retail marketplace for over 14 years.  STJ is aligned with several major hardware manufacturers, and offers both augmentation services and/or turn-key solutions, including 7x24 hour help desk services. In addition to having extensive 4690 POS development and support expertise, STJ has invested over $6 Million in R&D in the last 8 years and has two leading products: EFT Plus(TM), addressing Chip & PIN Compliance and Appaloosa, a browser based POS System. For more information on STJ, please contact Dave Mahr at (905) 851-6600 Ext 115 or dmahr@stjretail.com., or visit the company's website: www.stjretail.com.

About ISSUG
The IBM Retail User Group has, for thirty one years, provided a platform for hundreds of Retailers, IBM and IBM business partners to advance retail technology.  Jointly, the group advanced the development of IBM POS and retail solutions to the resolution of common business problems and established a working partnership for mutual benefit.  The representations includes all segments of the retail industry including Department Stores, Specialty Stores,  Grocery, Drug, Food Service, Hospitality and many others. The User Group, a mutual benefit organization of IBM retail solutions users; owned and operated by the retail member companies is a forum for the open exchange of ideas and innovation without the pressures of sales and marketing.

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Headquartered just north of Toronto, Canada, STJ Retail has been providing innovative solutions to the retail marketplace for over 14 years. STJ is aligned with several hardware manufacturers and offers both augmentation services and turn-key solutions.