Rohan future-proofs its IT infrastructure by completing an estate-wide rollout of AURES POS hardware

RUNCORN, U.K. - Oct. 7, 2015 - PRLog -- Rohan, the British ‘all-climate’ clothing specialist known for its advanced fabric designs and its range of apparel and accessories, has future-proofed the point-of-sale equipment deployed in its nationwide store estate.

“Just as Rohan products protect our customers from all that nature can throw at them, so we too now feel protected.  With our new AURES hardware, we won’t bump into issues whatever our future software and business plans,” explains the retailer’s IT Infrastructure Manager, Peter Smith.

Smith first met AURES Technologies and its hardware in spring 2014.  At the time, Smith was conducting a hardware evaluation.  Rohan still was running Window XP, which was approaching end-of-life, on three types of desktop computers across the stores.  These machines were showing signs of ageing and were no longer replaceable.  Processors frequently failed and Rohan’s maintenance company struggled to get parts.

Says Peter Smith: “We’d also resorted to using refurbished pole-mounted touchscreens, which weren’t that reliable.  So we decided we’d replace the POS hardware and, at the same time, introduce WiFi and a 3G cellular back-up everywhere.  It made sense to visit each store just once and do everything together.”

Terminals from a number of manufacturers were evaluated for the critical attribute of reliability.  With only one till in each store, Smith and his team could allow no margin for failure.  “We needed hardware we could absolutely rely on and where spares were freely available.”

“We looked at the Sango from AURES and I have to say it was the only terminal where people said ‘Doesn’t that look nice!’”  Designed and developed by AURES, Sango is a new concept in all-in-one till management systems.  With no stand or foot, this contemporary machine looks like no other EPoS.  It meets the customer demand for more room at the point-of-service by freeing up the space under the touchscreen which is traditionally occupied by the CPU and motherboard.

“The Sango sold itself to us on resilience, an attractive price-point and physical attributes such as footprint size and design.  This terminal definitely gives a more professional, modern look to our new stores.”

Over the course of 18 months, Sangos have been installed in all 51 of Rohan’s UK stores.  The project started with the retailer’s Covent Garden flagship location.  As Rohan retained its original EPoS software and web pages, the changeover was uncomplicated and required the briefest of staff training.  “Within half a day, each store had a new POS terminal, new cabling, WiFi etc.”

Having smaller tills means Rohan stores can have smaller cash desks and economise on space.  “The whole point-of-sale area is now neater and tidier.  By saving space, we save money,” comments Smith.

As all Rohan’s paper-based stock management processes have now gone online, store staff are even more reliant on their terminals.  “The till is more business-critical than it used to be, with staff needing it for a multiplicity of functions including emailing other stores to transfer or reserve items.”  Power-on and restart processes are much faster with the Sango.

The Sango’s small footprint and the fact it is an all-in-one computer bring additional benefits.  “When we do trade shows and have a pop-up store on our stand, we no longer need to send out an engineer to do cabling and set up a till.  Our area managers can just take a Sango with them and ‘plug and go’.  This new machine is definitely more serviceable that what we had before.”

Concludes Peter Smith: “Our whole ethos is to equip our customers with the right clothing and accessories so they’re ready for anything.  I guess that’s what we’ve done by buying Sangos.  Whatever the future throws at us, we’re confident we’ve got the POS hardware we need to see us through.”

About AURES Technologies – www.aures.com

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 point-of-service functions for businesses including specialist food and non-food stores, retail outlets, superstores and catering and hospitality.

With corporate sales over €64 million for 2014, the AURES Group has global presence, with its head office in France, subsidiaries in the UK, Germany, Australia and the USA - and a network of distributors and resellers in 50+ countries.

About Rohan – www.rohan.co.uk

Founded in 1972 by Paul and Sarah Howcroft, who were frustrated by the bulk, weight and discomfort of traditionaloutdoor clothing, Rohan prides itself on gear to keep you protected and comfortable in the world’s wildest places. From performance clothing to shoes, luggage and watches, we have created a range that is all you need and nothing you don’t. Light but durable, highly-packable and fast-drying gear means you can take less, travel lighter and get more done.

Rohan is designed and constructed to last. Subtle styles and bomb-proof build mean we have an enviable reputation for longevity. Our gear will look good ten years after the latest designer creations have become obsolete. We aren’t aiming to raise the bar of aspiration and ostentation higher and higher through false promises and nonsense. We just make gear that delights our customers and delivers on our promises.