First independent convenience retailer to roll out integrated SPEDI EPoS & PayPoint PPoS

RUNCORN, U.K. - Jan. 17, 2014 - PRLog -- A partnership of three technology specialists in the convenience retail sector has revealed details of the first integrated EPoS and PayPoint PPoS solution to be supplied to one of its independent clients.  Fairfield Stores in the centre of Bath has successfully rolled out a combined solution from SPEDI, Norcon and AURES Technologies UK that streamlines the business and improves customer service.

Yellow PayPoint terminals are a familiar sight across convenience and news retail, where they are used for utility and other bill payments.  Today, PayPoint services are also available through a ‘virtual terminal’ solution called PPoS, which integrates its payment services directly into the retailer’s own EPoS system.

One of the first independent stores to deploy a combined solution is Fairfield Stores.  It is now using new integration designed by its EPoS software provider, SPEDI, installed by its systems partner, Norcon Limited, and accessed via J2 touchscreen terminals.

Explains SPEDI managing director, David Mendus: “We felt PPoS integration was important as our aim has always been to help customers run better and more profitable businesses.  PayPoint’s new PPoS technology enables us to achieve this aim, as it offers the retailer a number of benefits including faster transactions, easier reconciliation and greater customer convenience.”

Observes Norcon’s Wayne Graves: “By integrating its terminal with EPoS hardware and software providers such as Norcon Computers and our software partner SPEDI, PayPoint is enabling independent retailers to benefit from the same significant advantages of its PPoS system that multiples and members of symbol groups enjoy.”

Norcon has deployed the new solution on PC-based touchscreen terminals, J2 615s.  “The J2 615 is the ideal hardware platform to run this new solution,” says Wayne Graves.  “It’s a very cost-effective model and has all the attributes required for our new EPoS solution.”

Explains Hari Lohano, owner of Fairfield Stores: “My customers can now do their PayPoint transactions at any of our counter tills when they pay for their groceries, rather than have to go to a different counter to use PayPoint.  It’s much quicker and smoother.  It makes my business look more professional and customers prefer it.”  He thinks this improved process may well encourage customers to do more PayPoint transactions.

For Fairfield Stores’ staff, the approach is much more efficient.  “Tapping the PayPoint logo on our till calls up a menu identical to the PayPoint terminal screen.  We enter the customer’s PayPoint payment then check out his or her basket of items in the normal way.  The receipt we give the customer shows both the PayPoint transaction and other purchases.”

In sectors such as convenience where space is often very limited and at an absolute premium, removal of the traditional PayPoint terminal has a value too.  “The PPoS terminal is a quarter the size of the PayPoint terminal,” says Lohano.  “This space saving has a monetary value for me.”

The new integrated solution generates consolidated accounts and management information.  By capturing and reporting on PayPoint and non-PayPoint transactions, the solution gives retailers business-wide visibility that is instant and accurate.

About The AURES Group and AURES Technologies UK Limited

Founded in 1989 and listed on Euronext since 1999, the AURES Group manufactures EPOS systems and related peripherals.

Its PC-based hardware and open-system equipment provides management and till functions to all points-of-sale and points-of-service, including specialist food and non-food stores, retail outlets, superstores and catering and hospitality.

In 2013, J2 Retail Systems, specialist and renowned manufacturer of PC-based touchscreens, LCD monitors and point-of-sale hardware, became part of the AURES Group.  In the UK, the two businesses now trade as AURES Technologies UK Limited.

The consolidated AURES Group has global presence, with its head office in France, subsidiaries in the UK, Germany, Australia and the USA, and distributors and resellers in 50+ countries.

The number of systems and EPOS terminals marketed by the AURES Group since 2009 is over 200,000 units, for annual sales now exceeding €50 million.

www.aures.com & www.j2retailsystems.com

About SPEDI

SPEDI software has been helping retailers improve their business and increase profits for nearly 30 years.  Originally developed for convenience stores, its EPoS is now in use in about 2,000 retail stores throughout Great Britain. SPEDI software is used by small, independent stores up major retailers and is offered through a dealer network.

Although SPEDI remains expert in convenience stores and news, software runs in many store types including chemists, discount stores, hospitals, holiday parks, local wholesalers, butchers, hardware, fishing supplies and equestrian supplies.   The company is experienced in linking stores electronically to their major suppliers; it links to all the major grocery and news wholesalers as well as to PayPoint and to C + D for chemists.

www.spedi.com

About Norcon Computers

Thousands of convenience stores and retail newsagents around the UK rely on Norcon’s specialist EPoS systems and software.   As one of the country's leading retail suppliers, it helps customers manage their tills, stock control and newspaper deliveries efficiently.

The company’s New Slave 4 for Windows software has become the industry-standard, developed for newsagents by newsagents. NS4W is an essential for any retail outlet selling newspapers and magazines.  It automates price updates and stock movements through internet links to Smith News (Connect2u) and Menzies (iMenzies), and is fully endorsed by the National Federation of Retail Newsagents.

www.nclimited.co.uk