Company News • 26.08.2011
The all-rounder at the point of sale – future-proof POS solution at Kastner & Öhler
Wincor Nixdorf’s TP Application Suite controls POS processes for international fashion retailer
Having decided to face the challenge of optimizing the many processes in its stores, Kastner & Öhler Warenhaus AG with headquarters in Graz has made a step in the right direction by implementing a new POS solution from Wincor Nixdorf.
The retail company runs extensive campaigns for a variety of different product groups throughout the year, which temporarily affects pricing. For example, some 200,000 price-related campaigns take place during the pre-Christmas period alone. “Thanks to our new POS solution, the many price changes can be made with minimum effort,” says Günter Skutnik, Head of Logistics, IT and Organization at Kastner & Öhler. The same applies to couponing campaigns, bonus programs and other forms of promotion.
With more than 2,000 employees and 45 store locations in Austria, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Kastner & Öhler is one of the largest retailers in Austria. The main focus of the company’s range of products lies on fashion and sport. “Renewal, extension and specialization – these are the things we’re committed to," CEO Martin Wäg sums up the corporate motto.
Renewal at the POS as well: The outdated systems at the 220 points of sale, which were provided by an international manufacturer, have been replaced by state-of-the-art BEETLE /MII systems from Wincor Nixdorf. At the same time, Wincor Nixdorf’s TP Application Suite was implemented as the software platform. This modular POS solution not only covers the entire range of standard processes, but also meets the stringent requirements of the fashion trade. Entirely new possibilities for improving customer loyalty and increasing revenues are opened up thanks to functions ranging from the evaluation of customer data to customer card handling, campaign management and processing of various different coupons.
A broad array of functionalities was an important criterion for Kastner & Öhler when deciding whether to invest in a modern POS solution. Faster and simpler handling of standard processes was another important factor. “During our search for new systems, we attached a great deal of importance to speed at the POS, simple and intuitive operation by our employees and easy system configuration,” Günter Skutnik explains. As an international retail company, Kastner & Öhler also expected the new application to include different language options and meet country-specific fiscal requirements. It also needed to provide analytical tools, e.g. for the evaluation of POS data or detection of cash discrepancies. “Wincor Nixdorf offered us a comprehensive, future-oriented solution, and our experience so far fully confirms our positive impression," says Günter Skutnik.
