Pathmark Stores Upgrades to IBM Point-of-Sale Systems and Software

Pathmark Stores recently completed the replacement of all of its more than 2,700 IBM 4683 POS systems with new, advanced IBM SurePOS 700 systems in its 143 stores. Pathmark plans to standardize on the IBM 4690 Operating System for its POS network and also selected the IBM Application Client Server Environment (ACE) grocery application software. The new SurePOS 700s are faster and offer much higher performance and flexibility. The open hardware connectivity also increases Pathmarks options for POS peripherals, such as displays, scanners, scales, receipt printers and payment terminals. The typical Pathmark store uses 16 terminals, so reduced power consumption and systems management were additional reasons for the companys decision. The SurePOS 700 features Powered USB, an IBM innovation designed to simplify both the number of power cords needed as well as adding POS peripherals. Powered USB also allows for plug-and-play exchange of peripherals, such as receipt printers, in the middle of a checkout transaction. Powered USB simplifies maintenance and promotes higher availability, which are important issues in speeding checkout. Pathmark is also using the IBM 4610 Thermal Printer, which offers silent, faster printing for the consumer and helps facilitate a completely clean receipt in the future. The printer also promotes customer service by writing the face of the check for the consumer while franking the back of the check in a single pass. ACE Software Adds Numerous Capabilities and Simplicity Pathmarks plans to upgrade to IBMs ACE grocery application software will give Pathmark numerous capabilities to increase customer service and enhance promotions and merchandising. The simplicity of the new software also should enhance the ability to implement new applications and communications between the stores and headquarters. The new software will allow Pathmark to more easily and consistently deploy new services and promotions in its stores for customers. With its old system, for example, Pathmark was limited to having only 600 items on promotion at any one time. However, with the new system, Pathmark will now be able to double the number of items it can include in promotions. The new software will enable Pathmark to access Windows-based applications at the point-of-sale, vastly increasing the number of applications that can be run at the store. This capability was not available on the companys previous systems. Looking to the future, the new IBM software positions Pathmark to take advantage of future demands on the in-store systems. For example, support for the new GTIN 14 digit UPC code is available through IBM 4690 OS, allowing Pathmark the opportunity to take advantage of this capability when required. In addition, simplified interfaces provided by the new software will much enhance the ability to deploy new applications such as Pharmacy integration.