Task Retail partners with Microsoft to implement new retail solution

Using Microsoft’s .NET environment, the Xchangexec solution is based on the SQL Server platform and developed as a new point of sale application to provide real-time data.

The Foodco Group, consisting of the Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue franchise chains, has chosen to implement the solution across their 220 + stores, including outlets in mainland China.

Fully integrated, the solution allows information to be consolidated quickly and efficiently. Serge Infanti, Group Director of Development for Foodco said the software is very flexible and easy to operate from both the retail front end and the back office administration.

“Apart from the benefit of streamlining and ease of use, we saw the value of many customer and sales driven functions, for example, the LCD screen allows us to interact with our customers informing them of offers or just general information about the brand,” said Infanti. “In addition, voucher printing and a comprehensive loyalty program will assist us with sales building. Another important feature of the system is its cash handling security features.”

For Kym Houden, managing director of Task Retail Technology, the significant deal with Foodco, a POS client for seven years, encompasses ongoing hardware, software maintenance and a continuation of software development.

“Foodco recognised the value of instant worldwide reporting, upselling, the increase in business with voucher printing, SMS customer ordering and SMS store reporting to be a huge benefit to their business. Unlike a lot of the other POS products on the world market that use many third party interface add-ons and applications to achieve some of the functionally that is encompassed in the Xchangexec suite of software,” said Houden.

“The history of Task Retail has been one of supporting small to medium-sized businesses. The new Xchangexec suite of products now lends itself not only to small to medium size businesses but large venues, the world’s largest franchise chains and stadiums. When you combine the world’s largest technology organisations like Microsoft, NCR, Cisco and Pacnet with Xchangexec, it gives you the power to deliver a globally supported solution.”