VANTAA, Finland, May 20, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Aldata will supply G.O.L.D. supply chain management software for two Tesco projects in Central Europe. In the first Tesco, one of the largest retail chains in the world, has agreed to purchase the G.O.L.D. e-Retail module and in the second, Tesco will upgrade its warehouse systems deploying the G.O.L.D. Warehouse Management System (WMS), which operates via radio frequency. The projects will bring Tesco economies of scale and raise productivity. After pilot trials the software will be distributed to Tesco's operations in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary.
Philip Clarke, Tesco I.T. and Logistics Director and member of the Tesco executive board, stated: "We needed to very quickly commence operations when we first started up in Central Europe in 1997 and G.O.L.D. proved to be the best solution. Our continued relationship with Aldata is based upon that continuing success. We require a scalable solution which can support our growing business and provide economies of scale. G.O.L.D. remains a strategic I.T. tool for our business in Central Europe."
The first project, driven by Tesco's business strategy for its stores, consists of migrating the current G.O.L.D. back-office environment to a fully web-enabled environment via the deployment of G.O.L.D. e-Retail. "With this low-cost solution, G.O.L.D. e-Retail will provide large economies in terms of store I.T. costs. It will significantly reduce our training costs and contribute to reduced timescales for opening new stores," said John Lister, Tesco European I.T. Director. "Our objective is better, simpler and cheaper stores and we intend to work with G.O.L.D. as we feel we have the right solution," he continued.
The second project, already started in Hungary and which will be implemented across all of TESCO's new and existing G.O.L.D. warehouses in Central Europe, is driven by TESCO's modular warehouse systems concept covering full operations via radio frequency. "We are now taking advantage of the full capacities of G.O.L.D.'s WMS offer. G.O.L.D.'s integrated and modular software structure enables us to deploy individual modules at the time that fits our business requirements and does not restrict us to an all-or-nothing approach," John Lister added.
Rene Homeyer, Senior Vice President, Operations in France and Germany at Aldata, said: "These two projects demonstrate Tesco's continued trust and confidence in G.O.L.D. and the ongoing development of the Aldata - Tesco partnership. The scalability of G.O.L.D. as well as its continuous evolution in providing the best and most economical solution is proven by Tesco's commitment to G.O.L.D."
Tesco is the eight largest retail chain in the world which net sales were 32,9 billion U.S. dollars in 2000.
Aldata Solution Oyj is a leading European based software product company specializing in retail software systems and a forerunner in the development of mobile software applications. Aldata designs and markets software for retail purchasing and selling transactions. The company's portfolio of software systems ranges from conventional retailing to e- and m-commerce solutions, supply chain management software and security systems. The main elements of Aldata's strategy are development of its own software, concentration on selected market segments, exploitation of fixed-line and mobile Internet technologies, international expansion and controlled growth. Aldata operates in Finland, Sweden, Norway, France, Germany, Slovenia and U.S., and has software installations in 38 countries. Aldata's net sales in Q1 2002 totalled MEUR 14,5 and the company currently has approximately 450 employees.
Aldata's shares are quoted on the Helsinki Exchanges. More information at www.aldata.fi.