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• 2008

S&T operates POS systems at all SPAR branches in Austria

Multi-million Order for Optimization of Processes and Costs

With a turnover of 4.51 billion euros and over 33,000 employees, SPAR is one of the leading retail companies in Austria . The point of sale (POS) systems in the approximately 800 branches across Austria consist of hardware and software components from a range of manufacturers, and have been managed by various partners up until now. As this has resulted in extremely high costs, SPAR has decided to pursue a strategy of consolidation; the numerous service partners hitherto contracted are to be reduced to a handful, each covering more sectors. Operation of the POS systems is to be transferred to a reliable and manufacturer-independent service provider. The contract for the multi-million order was awarded to S&T DACH, which already takes care of laser printers for all branches in Austria . “For our business it is a given that the POS systems must function. S&T DACH is represented across Austria with IT specialists, already services our printers to our complete satisfaction, and presented a compelling strategy that meets all our requirements, including costs”, stated Andreas Kranabitl, head of the group-wide ICT division at SPAR Austria. With this contract, SPAR Austria will enjoy high quality services, but at the same time profit from a simplification and optimization of processes, a significant reduction in costs and the benefits of the product/manufacturer independence of S&T DACH.

Reduction in Costs and Improved Quality of Service
The contract is associated with strict service levels, which ensure a rapid resumption of operations in the event of a malfunction or interruption of service. In order to be able to quickly react to incoming requests, S&T DACH has electronically connected the SPAR helpdesk to the S&T DACH technician control center. “Our IT service staff is represented at 6 branches across Austria and can rapidly be deployed on site without bureaucracy. This aspect, along with our high quality of service and attractive prices, convinces an increasing number of clients of the benefits of our Managed Services portfolio”, commented Georg Komornyik, Region General Manager at S&T DACH.

Growth Sector Managed Services
The demand for managed services solutions is growing across Europe . A study published in October 2007 by Equaterra showed that this market segment will grow rapidly, particularly in EMEA ( Europe , Middle East & Africa) countries, during 2008. The most intensive demand is for Managed Desktop Services as well as for support in relation to applications such as SAP. For S&T, the managed services sector is an area of strategic growth – the group plans to double the turnover in this sector by 2010. Almost half the group’s turnover is currently derived from Managed Services and Business Solutions projects. As well as large corporations, which have outtasked individual IT areas for a number of years, medium sized enterprises are now also becoming increasingly interested in profiting from the associated cost and quality advantages.

Multi-million Orders for S&T DACH
In the DACH region (German speaking countries), and also in Eastern Europe , S&T is one of the leading providers of managed services. In Austria , the company was awarded a number of contracts worth millions of euros in 2007, for example by OMV, the leading oil and gas business in central Europe , and by ISS Facility Services. S&T DACH has also supported voestalpine for many years with such services. In 2007 S&T was also successful in Slovakia and the Czech Republic , with the award of large contracts from the respective defense ministries. In Poland , S&T started a project similar to the SPAR order in 2007: S&T Poland services the self-service checkouts at the Auchan hypermarkets.

S&T aims to be the No. 1 Service Provider for Retail Customers
The retailing industry is a sector on which S&T focuses. The business has many experienced senior specialists with profound industry skills, and supports both national and multinational customers in the retail, wholesale and distribution industries, as well as consumer goods manufacturers. S&T recently initiated a strategic partnership with the JDA Software Group, the leading producer of Supply Chain and Demand Management Software. “We are bundling our forces together and thereby have access to more than 4600 experts supporting around 5500 clients in 60 countries. By working together we are aiming to be the top provider in the key retail market ”, explained Christian Rosner, CEO S&T.