Hemel Hempstead, 19 March 2004. Arciris, the specialist provider of retail solutions to the convenience and forecourt sector, has been appointed Epson's first Authorised System Provider. The award recognises the added value which Arciris offers to customers using Epson's retail hardware. It was formally presented to Arciris' Sales and Marketing Director, Billy Tank, on Tuesday 16th March 2004 by Epson's Sales and Marketing Manager, Ray Cranston. The presentation took place on the Arciris stand (G41) at the Convenience Retailing Show (14-17 March 2004, NEC, Birmingham).

Arciris is the first company to be appointed as an Authorised Epson System Provider under a new initiative by the hardware manufacturer to reward high standards of service which complement its reputation for quality and reliability. The successful Exeter-based company, which has installed over 1,500 Epson systems to date, was chosen because it has demonstrated its pro-active commitment to Epson, as well as its ability to enhance Epson's hardware offering for customers through its advanced Iridium software, together with extremely high standards of service and support.

The appointment will bring significant advantages to Arciris, including advanced previews of new products; bid support, including joint sales visits with Epson
personnel; free loan of equipment; access to dedicated showroom facilities for customer presentations; the chance to work with Epson on a variety of joint marketing activities and events; and the opportunity to visit Epson's Head Office in Japan to discuss product development. Arciris customers will also benefit from the peace of mind which comes from recognition and support by a leading hardware manufacturer.

"We are extremely proud to be appointed as an Epson Authorised System Provider, and particularly to be the first to receive this award," commented Billy Tank. "Epson and Arciris have established a true partnership which enables us to support each other in delivering world-class retail solutions for our convenience store and forecourt customers."

Ray Cranston added: "We are totally committed to ensuring the highest standards of customer service and support throughout our distribution chain, so we plan to be highly selective about which companies we appoint to our authorised network. Arciris is an extremely experienced solution provider with a great track record in developing, installing and supporting Epson system solutions within its sector. We hope that other solution providers will want to emulate Arciris' achievement by demonstrating both their capability and commitment to Epson."

Epson
Established for over 30 years as the world's premier printer manufacturer, Epson has the widest range of PoS printers and touchscreen solutions in the world, each designed to be the best in its class, and built to meet quality and performance criteria that set the industry standard.

Epson's best of breed thermal, inkjet and impact printers for the point of sale have long been the choice of major retailers in the UK and overseas. The company has also been at the forefront of innovations such as 2-colour receipts, single insertion cheque printing and drop-in paper load.

Together with its channel and system partners, Epson offers system solutions for all retail and hospitality environments. The company's range of fully integrated touchscreen terminals includes the powerful Intelligent Register (IR) and SR-600.

For further details, please contact David Ormerod, Epson Retail Technology Division (RTD), Campus 100, Maylands Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP2 7TJ. Tel: 01442 227318
Email: dormerod@epson.co.uk
Web: www.pos.epson.co.uk

Press contact is Nicola Atkins at Vector Marketing Communications, on Tel: 01442 877167 Fax: 01442 877769
Email: nicola.atkins@vector.co.uk
Web: www.vector.co.uk