Press Release

Siemens Nixdorf to show industry's best integrated enterprise and
store-based solutions at Retail Solutions '99

� new customer service enhancing Smart Shopper self-scanning system
� new SAP-enabled solutions for the retail supply chain
� new developments in its BEETLE Electronic Point of Sale and SNIkey
touchscreen systems 

Stand 440, Hall 17, Birmingham NEC, 25-27 May 1999

Siemens Nixdorf Retail and Banking Systems Limited will show an extensive
range of retail enterprise-wide solutions, encompassing data warehousing
technologies for the retail supply chain and state-of-the-art store-based
systems, at this year's Retail Solutions exhibition. Products on show will
include a range of new SAP-enabled solutions for the retail supply chain,
the latest developments in its BEETLE Electronic Point of Sale and SNIkey
touchscreen systems together with its new Smart Shopper self-scanning system.

Siemens Nixdorf will also demonstrate leading Microsoft-based applications
for food, general merchandise and hospitality in conjunction with a range of
business partners including RTC, UNLIMITED Solutions, Riva Systems, RBS, MHG
Systems and Alphameric 100. 
 
Supply chain solutions for the retail data centre
Siemens Nixdorf is a leading implementor of SAP Retail and will demonstrate
its technology that allows SAP Retail to span the retail supply chain
including its Open Store Connection System (Open SCS) solution, Web EDI
product - SEDI, the linking to SAP of RF-enabled handheld terminals, its
decision support system Retail Framework and demonstrations of call centre
integration with SAP Retail via its Computer Telephony Integration
technology.

Open Store Connection System - the first software certified by SAP that
links store systems from any manufacturer with SAP Retail to enable data
exchange from individual outlets to the head office, irrespective of the
store application software used.

SEDI Electronic Commerce components - an Electronic Commerce suite that
enables integration of commercial applications within the SAP environment
with a standardised Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) interface. SEDI
supports the conversion of the EDIFact EDI format to HTML for linking by
browsers to SAP Retail to allow low cost connection between retailers and
suppliers.

RF-enabled handheld terminals - an architecture developed by Siemens Nixdorf
in conjunction with partner, Symbol Technologies, allowing for - the first
time - store staff on the shop-floor online access to the retailer's central
SAP Retail ERP system for a broad range of business information including
all stock-related customer quotation and ordering data.

Siemens Nixdorf Retail Framework - Siemens Nixdorf has developed a powerful
data mining and decision support architecture for SAP Retail called Retail
Framework. Retail Framework's areas of application include the analysis of
promotions, retail branch performance and product ranging/category
management analysis, all specifically allied to understanding best profit
and efficiency scenarios.

CTI integration - Siemens Nixdorf will be demonstrating key communications
technology with Siemens Communication Systems including its call centre
expertise in SAP environments. This will enable important logistical support
of new non-store retail sales channels.

Store system innovations

Europe's leading PoS system - The latest Siemens Nixdorf BEETLE Point of
Sale system, Europe's most widely-installed PoS solution, is now equipped
with P300 processors and is introducing the latest ATX motherboard
technology, including support for the new USB peripheral device interface. 

Also on show will be new designs based around the BEETLE M model including
single board, countertop, integral processor unit and touchscreen designs.

SNIkey - Siemens Nixdorf's SNIkey touchscreen solution includes the use of
TFT Thin Film Technology in the latest 12.1 inch format. SNIkey can provide
picture icons of products to dramatically enhance the speed and productivity
of cashiers. The system integrates key peripheral reading devices such as
magnetic swipe readers and has been further enhanced to support smart cards.

Smart Shopper - Developed in conjunction with partners Symbol Technologies
and Point Of Sale Ltd, Smart Shopper is a new self-scanning solution that
links the customer via a wireless radio network to the store's central
systems. This provides the consumer with information on demand covering
areas such as special promotions, triggered for delivery at the point of the
consumer's purchasing decision. 

Electronic Shelfedge Labels (ESL) - offers retailers the opportunity to
centrally manage pricing and ensure that prices on the shelves match those
at the Point of Sale. The system also supports sales promotions and
management functions which can help boost branch productivity and optimise
category management. 

'The Reckoning' - Siemens Nixdorf will show for the first time a new entry
level point of sale system designed to compete with electronic cash
registers.

Microsoft Solution Partners

Siemens Nixdorf delivers innovative store-based solutions delivered on a
common architecture and based on Microsoft's Windows NT operating
environment and BackOffice software. 

Application partners include:

UNLIMITED Solutions is a world class specialist supplier of store systems to
the retail industry. The company designs, develops and delivers highly
innovative, leading edge solutions to major retailers worldwide. These
include COALITION, the market-leading Microsoft Windows-based store
automation platform that delivers point of service and back-office
functionality to speciality retailers. Core products support customer
ordering, stock management, promotions, EFT and multimedia at the point of
service.

RTC is a developer of application software and a supplier of computer
systems and associated support services, primarily for retail applications.
It is the premier UK supplier of Point of Sale application software for the
high street multiple and department store sectors, with major UK retail
customers including Selfridges, Mothercare and Harvey Nichols.

Retail Business Solutions (RBS) Limited is a leading provider of integrated
business solutions. It specialises in the hospitality market with an
advanced 32-bit Windows NT application called POSitive - aimed at both fast
food and fine dining outlets.

MHG Systems - Founded in 1976, Microsoft Solution Provider, MHG (Systems)
Limited has established itself as one of the leading retail systems houses
in the UK, with a range of solutions tailored to suit the needs of a variety
of retail businesses. 

Alphameric 100 provides its new and existing customers with Siemens Nixdorf
BEETLEs and PCs and has made some of the first installations of the new
BEETLE/20 system in combination with its own software to confectioners,
tobacconists and newsagents for applications such as newspaper and magazine
orders, customer billing and the management of newspaper rounds.

Riva Systems Limited - Established for 20 years, Riva employs 1,000
professionals located in seven countries. It supplies the retail and cash &
carry sectors internationally, with a principle focus on software, systems
integration and services in the store. Riva is a leading developer of the
Microsoft ActiveStore standard and can support large terminal populations in
NT and SQL 7 database environments

Managed Services

Joining Siemens Nixdorf on the stand will be Siemens IT Service. Together,
they will demonstrate and discuss their comprehensive managed services
initiative for retailers designed to provide complete retail IT
infrastructure support. Siemens is a major force in the provision of managed
IT services for UK and international businesses with a portfolio of services
that includes help desk, operational consultancy, remote systems management,
systems implementation, asset management and procurement. 

About Siemens Nixdorf
Siemens Nixdorf Retail and Banking Systems is a European market leader in
the provision of Information and Communication products and services to
major retailers and banks - with 50,000 Point of Sale terminals installed
throughout the UK and 80,000 ATMs and self-service terminals throughout
Europe. Siemens Nixdorf offers total retail solutions based on open systems
and industry-specific hardware, customised software applications and
powerful networking capabilities, as well as a comprehensive range of
self-service technology-based solutions. 

Siemens Nixdorf Retail and Banking Systems is a key business within Siemens
Information and Communication Products, part of the major DM50 billion
turnover Siemens Information and Communications business which is made up of
three Groups: Information and Communication Products, Information and
Communication Networks and Siemens Business Services. This new business was
formed on October 1, 1998 in response to the growing requirement for
converged IT and communications products and services. 

For more information
Please contact: Andy Cummins
                Siemens Nixdorf Retail and Banking Systems Limited
                Tel:  01344 850321
                [email protected]

                Charles Crabtree
                IBA
                Tel: 01780 721433
                [email protected]