Hemel Hempstead, 25 October 2002. Foto Island, a newly established photo processing retailer has taken advantage of the latest EPoS technology to offer its customers greater convenience and a more personal service.

In contrast to many other existing operators, where customers are asked for their details every time they drop off their film and are given a tear-off strip as proof of order, Foto Island need only take these details once, thanks to a unique automated system which runs on Epson’s Intelligent Register (IR).

“When a customer first visits one of our stores, we register their details on our system and give them an electronic loyalty card which stores their order details,” explained the company’s Sales Director, Matthew Appleyard. “When they return, we can simply scan the barcode on their card and tell them whether their prints are ready for collection. When the customer next visits, we can offer a more efficient service as their details and previous processing requirements will already be on our system. What’s more, the loyalty card makes it easier to target appropriate promotions including discounts on added value services such as enlargements and reprints.”

The power behind the service is Epson’s IR terminal, running “Business Professional” Photographic software from Hertfordshire-based Whitech Software Solutions. In addition to enabling Foto Island to provide a highly efficient service to customers, the system also provides enhanced daily management reports, enabling it to check on the percentage of 7 x 5” prints, digital work or one hour work from Head Office or any remote location. Moreover, the IR’s smart design and cable management complements the stylish Foto Island environment.

Since last year the company has opened three Foto Island Stores and there are plans for a further 12 stores in the next twelve months. According to Appleyard, the success of the company has been almost entirely due to the powerful technology at its disposal. “Quite simply, we wouldn’t trade without it”, he enthused.

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