Epicor Retail Software as a Service POS Solution Continues to Gain Traction

NEW YORK--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Epicor Software Corporation (NASDAQ:EPIC), a leading provider of enterprise business software solutions to the midmarket and Global 1000 companies, today announced its Retail Software as a Service (SaaS) solution continues to gain traction with retailers.

The company announced two new customers – Tory Burch and The Paper Store – have selected the SaaS solution, which offers the same advanced functionality used by the world's leading retailers to small and medium specialty and department store retailers, in a delivery method that dramatically reduces capital investment and implementation requirements.

Epicor's integrated Retail SaaS solution is a pay-as-you-go model that consists of merchandising, allocation, replenishment, business intelligence, POS, sales audit and CRM. Epicor SaaS is deployed on IBM's industry leading SurePOS 700 series hardware. SaaS services include hosting of all applications on secure redundant servers, the procurement and management of wide area networks, helpdesk support, system maintenance, including 24/7 data security and backups; disaster recovery and ongoing updates and upgrades to the latest Epicor software releases. With a proven four-month project timeline from project kick off to live, the Epicor Retail SaaS solution offers significant speed-to-market benefits.

Gartner recently made the prediction that, "In 2009, SaaS delivery models will see a 25% increase in adoption by retailers." Noted in the same report, according to a Gartner survey of more than 110 retailers conducted in third-quarter 2008, "22% of retailers stated that they had implemented or were in the process of implementing a SaaS application."¹

Epicor and IBM Partner to Deliver Retail SaaS Solution

Epicor's Retail SaaS solution is delivered via a standard POS hardware platform from IBM – the IBM SurePOS 700 series – which enables seamless and timely upgrades, maximum supportability, and superior value via improved speed to market.

"Together, IBM and Epicor are committed to delivering outstanding value to small-to-medium retailers to fully meet their needs in today's tough economic climate and beyond," said Leo Suarez, vice president of marketing & strategy, IBM Retail Store Solutions. "Epicor Retail SaaS is consistent with IBM's ‘on demand' strategy, where smart and integrated technology yields improved efficiency and decision making for competitive advantage."

An example of this smart integrated technology is IBM's Remote Management Agent (RMA) which, together with Epicor Retail POS software, provides retailers the ability to remotely monitor, configure and track hardware, software and applications in one store or multiple store locations, from a central point, as well as perform asset tracking, and diagnostic and problem determination down to the device level. RMA delivers business benefits to retailers with pro-active support and monitoring of in-store hardware and infrastructure that will ensure greater system up time and enable a more enhanced customer shopping experience.

"Our Retail SaaS offering is a true end-to-end retail solution," said David Henning, executive vice president and general manager for Epicor Retail. "We are the leading provider that offers a complete integrated retail solution with a full range of support services that leverages our extensive in-house expertise from development to deployment through training. Our SaaS solution enables retailers to leverage a trusted and proven solution, delivering everything a retailer needs.

"IBM has been very supportive of our SaaS strategy, and the combination of Epicor Retail POS software and IBM hardware is proving to be the solution of choice for a growing number of customers," he said.

New Customers Turn on the Retail SaaS

One of the newest retailers to adopt the Epicor Retail SaaS offering is Tory Burch. Focused on creating stylish apparel and accessories for women of all ages, Tory Burch was launched in February 2004 as a lifestyle concept with multiple product categories, including ready-to-wear, handbags, shoes and jewelry. Tory Burch operates 16 free-standing Tory Burch boutiques and one outlet store across the US. Merchandise is also available through the brand's website and in more than 400 select department and specialty stores worldwide.

"The Epicor Retail SaaS solution takes the onus off of us to support IT systems, enabling us to focus our efforts and resources on merchandising and customer initiatives, while feeling confident we have the right hardware and software in place to support and grow our retail business," said Vicki Cantrell, CIO/COO, Tory Burch.

In business since 1963, The Paper Store is a family-owned and operated Specialty Gift Store chain of 23 stores in New England. The Company recently contracted for the Epicor Retail SaaS solution to provide an updated technology framework to support its growing retail operations.

"We conducted an extensive search for a comprehensive integrated retail solution," said Tim Walsh, Director of IT, The Paper Store. "We were very excited to find that the Epicor Retail SaaS solution offered us the same strong functionality that Tier 1 retailers had access to, but without all the heavy overhead from a deployment, management and cost perspective."

Tory Burch and The Paper Store join a growing list of retailers, which includes Boot Barn, Bikini Village, Spyder, Vince, Koret, MetroPark, Twigland Fashions and The Jean Shop, that have selected the Epicor Retail SaaS solution to streamline operations and drive cost efficiencies.

About Epicor Retail Solutions

Epicor Retail solutions are used by hundreds of the world's leading retailers to become more profitable, productive, and competitive. Our solutions leverage proven Microsoft .NET technology to improve business operations and meet the evolving merchandise and service expectations of today's cross-channel shoppers. Epicor delivers comprehensive retail management solutions to enterprises in all tiers—from regional chains to multichannel global brands. Our retail customers include hundreds of marquee names, from Aéropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, and Ann Taylor to Zales and Zumiez. Epicor employs more than 800 employees in retail-focused operations.

About Epicor Software Corporation

Epicor is a global leader dedicated to providing integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), supply chain management (SCM) and enterprise retail software solutions to midmarket companies and divisions of the Global 1000. Founded in 1984, Epicor serves over 20,000 customers in more than 140 countries, providing solutions in over 30 languages. Employing innovative service-oriented architecture (SOA) and Web services technology, Epicor delivers end-to-end, industry-specific solutions for manufacturing, distribution, retail, hospitality and services that enable companies to drive increased efficiency, improve performance and build competitive advantage. Epicor solutions provide the scalability and flexibility to meet today's business challenges, while empowering enterprises for even greater success tomorrow. Epicor offers a comprehensive range of services with its solutions, providing a single point of accountability to promote rapid return on investment and low total cost of ownership. Epicor's worldwide headquarters are located in Irvine, Calif., with offices and affiliates around the world. For more information, visit [ www.epicor.com ].

Epicor is a registered trademark of Epicor Software Corporation. Other trademarks referenced are the property of their respective owners. The product and service offerings depicted in this document are produced by Epicor Software Corporation.

¹ Source: Gartner, Inc., "Predicts 2009: Hardships and Opportunities for Retail" (Dec. 3, 2008)

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Epicor Retail Software as a Service POS Solution Continues to Gain Traction