NR announced a new software applicationVANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--Versatile Mobile Systems (Canada) Inc. (TSX.V, symbol: VMS.V), a leading mobile commerce solutions provider, today announced a new software application within the SalesSupervisor suite of software products for the Mobile Sales and Merchandising marketplace.
"The Shelf Space Planning capability provides a unique addition to the already rich features of our sales force automation products. Our SalesSupervisor product, with a four-year track record in global installations, has proven to be robust and reliable," said John Hardy, Chairman and CEO of Versatile Mobile Systems. "We have continued to enhance this offering with our "Shelf Space Planning" feature and have been successful in signing a new global customer who will work with us in the first deployments of the product."
"Shelf Space Planner" gives field merchandising and sales representatives the ability to create and display shelf space planning diagrams (Planograms) while at a customer location. A correctly designed Planogram allows merchants and product distributors to maximise their sales dollars and customer satisfaction by maximizing the use of retail shelf space. This capability is of significant value to companies who sell their products into environments where size and shape of shelf and storage areas can vary based on the nature of the store.
Until now Planograms were generally created and pre-printed, at a distributors head office, and were based on a generic pre set shelving scheme that had been determined in advance. These plans could not accommodate retailers who had shelf layouts that deviated from the plan.
Retailers who display their products in custom storage environments, such as the display of chilled products in a cooler, can now have the optimum storage and visual display layout designed at the retail location. This "on the spot" Planogram takes into consideration the height, width and depth of the shelving where the product is to be displayed; it also considers the product properties including size and market share and the purchaser demographics of the region. After creating the custom Planogram on the Tablet PC, the merchandising representative, using a portable printer, can print a copy of it on a stain and tear resistant acetate. The Planogram is left at the retail location so that subsequent deliveries of product can be stocked and displayed according to the plan. This solution significantly reduces planning work from the head office and maximizes the use of the merchandiser's time in the field; both customer and supplier receive improved sales and business process benefits.
"This unique product capability is based on the proven Microsoft Tablet PC operating system and will run on light weight but rugged devices from manufacturers such as Fujitsue, Casio, Sony and others" said Bob Polychron, President of Versatile Mobile Systems. "We believe, based on recent announcements from Microsoft, (about Pen Tablet technology and the resultant reduction in hardware costs) that we will see a significant increase in the acceptance of Pen Tablets in the mobile workforce. We wanted to be sure our offerings anticipated that opportunity".
About Versatile Mobile Systems
Versatile Mobile Systems provides mobile business solutions that enable companies to improve sales, marketing and distribution of their products. By using Versatile Mobile Systems' technology, companies in the consumer packaged goods, and transportation industries gain the benefits of supply chain visibility, shortened fulfillment cycles and improved customer satisfaction. Versatile Mobile Systems partners with technology leaders, such as Symbol Technologies. Versatile Mobile Systems' international customer list includes Cadbury Schweppes, Elizabeth Arden, Ocado, Nordstrom Inc., Publix Supermarkets Inc., K&L Distributors, Bridgford, Rug Doctor, Keebler, and Books Are Fun Ltd., a division of the Reader's Digest Association. Additional information is available at www.versatilemobile.com.