Epicor|CRS Announces a Growing Number of Specialty Retailers Choosing Its Microsoft .NET-based POS Solution at NRF 2007

CRS RetailStore 3.0 Empowers Retailers to Improve Customer Service and In-store Operations on a Global Basis

Epicor|CRS, the Retail Solutions Division of Epicor Software Corporation (NASDAQ: EPIC) a leading provider of enterprise business software solutions to the midmarket and Global 1000 has announced a growing number of specialty retailers have implemented CRS RetailStore 3.0, the companys Microsoft .NET-based, feature-rich point-of-sale (POS) store system that empowers store personnel to provide a better customer experience and more effectively manage a chain of integrated stores.

Since its unveiling a year ago, more than 10 specialty retailers have selected RetailStore 3.0, including American Eagle Outfitters, Barry Better Menswear, Claires, Ecko, GNC, Namco, Nautica, South Moon Under and Sport Chalet.

According to AMR Research, to increase store productivity and improve customer service, 83% of retailers plan to upgrade point-of-sale software over the next 36 months. The significant capital expense associated with this initiative is driving leading retailers to invest in technology that not only ensures efficient transactions at checkout, but is also the foundation for customer interactions throughout the shopping process.

With a Web services-based Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) as its foundation, the store management solution provides increased integration and real-time connectivity between stores, corporate systems and other sales channels enabling key transactional information to be shared as it occurs.  In addition to a highly configurable POS interface and full complement of back office applications, RetailStore is integrated real-time to Epicor|CRS enterprise applications. RetailStore also offers an easy-to-build user interface, which provides timely information to the store associate, while providing access to other applications and intranet sites -- without ever leaving the RetailStore application.

Epicor|CRS helps empower employees from within retail organizations by delivering software that enables retailers to take advantage of a flexible, economical technology platform that drives enhanced customer experience.

Epicor|CRS continues to build momentum delivering innovative in-store solutions leveraging Microsoft technology and applications, providing retailers with increased business visibility through cost-effective and flexible solutions, Paula Paravecchio, managing director of worldwide retail for Microsoft Corp.

CRM Tools Support all Customer Touch Points

Released in 2006, CRS RetailCRM is based on Microsoft .NET for easy and cost-effective deployment.  With SOA as its foundation, RetailCRM provides increased integration and real-time connectivity between stores, corporate systems and other sales channels allowing key transactional information to be correlated and shared as it occurs.  

By gathering and analyzing customer data from multiple channels, RetailCRM delivers a more accurate and comprehensive view of the customer, thereby empowering sales associates and marketing teams with better information to serve customers.

Utilizing the robust data integration, analysis and reporting capabilities of Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server Reporting Services, RetailCRM aggregates information on customer purchase history and shopping behavior across sales channels, enabling retailers to deliver a higher level of one-to-one target marketing and personalized customer service at all points of interaction. The information, stored in a secure central repository, is designed to support in-store and other channel sales associates, as well as marketing personnel at headquarters.

CRS RetailStore Central Offers Increased Flexibility

Epicor|CRS simplifies store systems management with  CRS RetailStore Central a first-of-its-kind product to easily manage geographically and typologically diverse store-system retail formats.  Based on the Microsoft .NET Framework, RetailStore Central uses secure publish/subscriber-based technology to allow todays Retail IT chains with hundreds to thousands of locations to monitor and manage their store system configurations and business rules in less time and with greater control.  The power of the latest .NET store technology also provides retailers with greater flexibility. 

The increasing velocity of change as a result of tax rules, new marketing programs, compliance rules and new specialty formats makes system management one of todays biggest challenges for retail IT shops.

From a central location, RetailStore Centrals easy-to-use dashboard enables retailers to change and monitor CRS RetailStore POS and back office configuration profiles.  Timely changes, related to policies, procedures, payroll, security, marketing, taxes and inventory, can all be made remotely on a store-by-store basis or store groupings without IT personnel creating change files.

Integration to Epicor Enterprise Financials Suite

Epicor CRS customers can also take advantage of an integrated offering of the Epicor Enterprise Financials Suite and Epicor CRS Merchandising Suite a major milestone resulting from the 2005 acquisition.  Using Epicor Service Connect, a Web services-based business integration platform, the integration of the two solutions was completed in record time.  Service Connect functions as the central integration point for implementing secure workflow orchestrations within Epicor applications and with third-party applications to enhance collaboration and automate business processes, significantly reduced the development time required to integrate the two product suites.

The seamless integration achieved through Service Connect provides specialty retail customers with a complete retail and enterprise business software solution.  With its service-oriented architecture, Service Connect also offers customers increased flexibility for extending and implementing the integrated solution.

About Epicor|CRS

Epicor|CRS the Retail Solutions Division of Epicor Software Corporation provides retail management software, hardware, and services to help its customers drive sales, improve customer service, and reduce operating costs, all with more ease and flexibility.  Epicor|CRS is a trusted leader in the retail industry.  Epicor|CRS customers include leading retailers, such as Aropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, Ann Taylor, Barnes & Noble, Cache, Chicos, Coach, The Dress Barn, Inc., Eileen Fisher, Factory Connection, Foot Locker, GNC, J.Crew, Mikasa, Stage Stores, Transworld Entertainment, Tuesday Morning, Inc., Yankee Candle Company and Zumiez, among others.  Epicor|CRS employs more than 360 employees based in Newburgh, N.Y., with a regional office in Seattle, Wash.  For more information, please visit crsretail.epicor.com, or call 845-567-1234.

About Epicor Software Corporation

Epicor, named one of FORTUNE magazines 100 Fastest-Growing Companies in 2006, is a global leader dedicated to providing integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), supply chain management (SCM) and professional services automation (PSA) 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.  Epicors worldwide headquarters are located in Irvine, California with offices and affiliates around the world.