The Iridium software integrates the pump controller and sales till into one powerful, efficient unit; while the Epson IR's built-in printer, customer display and Magnetic Stripe Reader, also helps to save valuable counter space. In addition to a dial-up connection to Head Office, the Kuwait Petroleum (GB) system has a third party supplier interface so sites can raise orders electronically (if the supplier has the technology) rather than complete time-consuming paperwork. Product prices and promotional information can also be quickly communicated to each store by suppliers, enabling the benefits to be passed onto customers.

Q8's Retail Automation Manager, William Waters commented: "We required a solution which was reliable, capable of supporting promotions; online authorisation; and - in the near future - Chip and PIN. We chose the Epson hardware first because the IR looked such an excellent product and we wanted an integrated solution with intuitive touchscreen interface for our cashiers.

"We had an existing business relationship with Arciris as the company implemented our Visual Loyalty scheme and we knew Iridium would link well with this. Then, when we saw the Iridium EPoS software in operation, we quickly recognised it offered the right blend of reliability, compact design, ease of use and functionality. Another factor was that 26 of our sites were using our own back office IT system - Arciris was able to interface Iridium to this, while the other sites were supplied with a version of Prism (the Arciris back office software)."

With the rollout complete, William Waters is confident that all the EPoS essentials are now in place. He concluded: "The most important thing is that we now have a technology platform which will allow us to move forward and develop the business."

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