MSFT in B2B again.
Radiant Systems and Microsoft Team Up to Deliver B2B E-Commerce Solutions To
the Retail Industry
Alliance to Empower Retailers With Integrated Web-Enabled Management System And Digital
Marketplace
ATLANTA and REDMOND, Wash., March 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Radiant Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: RADS - news) and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT
- news) today announced that they have joined forces to develop and market an integrated Web-enabled management system and supply chain
solution to enable retailers to conduct business-to-business e-commerce over the Internet. Collectively, retailers and their supply chain partners are
expected to save hundreds of millions of dollars annually by using these types of solutions to streamline business processes and share information.
In addition to making an equity investment, Microsoft has committed to support Radiant Systems' solution through joint marketing programs, funding
for product development, consulting services, developer support, the MSN(TM) network of Internet services, and distribution via the Microsoft©
bCentral(TM) small-business portal. Further, Microsoft and Radiant Systems have created an open structure that allows for other strategic and equity
participants.
``Our alliance with Microsoft solidifies our position as a leader in the business-to-business e-commerce space,' said Erez Goren, CEO and
co-chairman at Radiant Systems. ``The retail market is enormous, and we needed the right technology company to work with us to ensure that our
Web-enabled solutions are up to the scalability challenge. Microsoft delivers the technology we require, in addition to horizontal productivity
applications and support in the areas of product development, marketing and distribution.'
``Radiant Systems and Microsoft are the first to deliver a comprehensive solutions portal to a wide range of retail customers,' said Charles Stevens,
vice president of the Business Solutions Group at Microsoft. ``Microsoft's ability to provide a scalable platform in combination with innovative Web
services will help Radiant create customized retail e-commerce solutions that take customers to the next level.'
Radiant Systems will use Microsoft software and technologies to develop Web-enabled solutions and through its RetailEnterprise business unit,
Vertical Solution Portals (VSP(SM)) -- Internet destinations that address the unique needs of small to midsize retailers and their supply chain
partners. RetailEnterprise VSPs combine the advantages of hosted applications and digital marketplaces, a novel approach that's designed to help
small and midsize retailers gain efficiencies and benefits traditionally available only to larger retailers. For example, retailers will be able to utilize a
labor-scheduling application to more efficiently manage labor costs. In addition, retailers accessing these Web-enabled solutions can participate in a
digital marketplace to generate substantial savings through open trading communities and online purchasing tools.
RetailEnterprise VSPs will create vertical communities for retailers and their trading partners by integrating Web-enabled management systems with
supply chain solutions. This new model offers a comprehensive solution for the more than 2 million small and midsize retailers worldwide. The VSPs
will host horizontal applications and services provided by bCentral and Microsoft, including the MSN Hotmail© Web-based e-mail service, calendar
functionality, MSN Messenger Service, maps, MSN Search, Yellow Pages, Site Manager and Passport, as well as Microsoft Office Online.
Large clients of Radiant Systems will also benefit from this alliance by deploying these applications and services via client-specific portals that
leverage their brand name in their franchisee and dealer communities. The alliance between Microsoft and Radiant Systems will provide the
infrastructure that enables major retailers to provide world-class technology services to their operations.
``We are very excited about Radiant Systems' strategy of developing VSPs around Web-enabled applications for retailers,' said Laura Jennings, vice
president of worldwide strategic planning at Microsoft. ``The integration with Microsoft bCentral will allow us to make the benefits of
business-to-business e-commerce available to a wide audience of small to midsize retailers. In addition, Radiant Systems' applications and
RetailEnterprise VSPs will be a great showcase for Microsoft's next-generation of Windows©-based services and will demonstrate the scalability and
flexibility of the Microsoft platform.'
Choosing this technology platform allows Radiant Systems to capitalize on the advantages of Microsoft Windows DNA. Windows DNA provides a
blueprint that will enable Radiant Systems to build a secure, reliable and scalable e-commerce infrastructure and to develop robust, distributed
applications that deliver integrated business solutions. As Microsoft Windows 2000 and Commerce Server 2000 become commercially available,
Radiant Systems will benefit further from Windows DNA 2000, Microsoft's latest generation of software building blocks for developing distributed
Web applications.
The alliance is subject to the execution of the definitive agreement between the parties.
About Radiant Systems Inc. and RetailEnterprise
Radiant Systems is a leader in delivering innovative technology to businesses that serve the consumer. The Company provides transaction and
management systems to support enterprise processes for its clients. The Company also delivers comprehensive client care and consulting services to
maximize speed of implementation and the client's return on technology investment. Headquartered in Atlanta, Radiant Systems (
radiantsystems.com ) has deployed its technology to companies worldwide, which currently process more than 2 billion transactions
annually.
RetailEnterprise ( retailenterprise.com ), a business unit of Radiant Systems, was formed in 1999 and provides Vertical Solution Portals
(VSP) -- industry-focused Internet destinations -- to retailers and their supply chain partners. RetailEnterprise's VSPs, including
FoodEnterprise.com(SM) and CstoreEnterprise.com(SM), enable retailers to reduce operational costs and increase efficiency through the use of
mission-critical business applications and link buying and supplying organizations into real-time trading communities.
About Microsoft Corp.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and
services designed to empower people through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.
Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995, such as statements relating to financial results and plans for future business development activities, and are thus prospective. Such
forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to economic conditions,
competition and other uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
NOTE: Microsoft, MSN, bCentral, Hotmail and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States
and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE: Microsoft Corp. |
