Retek retail benchmark excels on IBM RS/6000 Server

 Somers 10 Feb 00 IBM's RS/6000 S80 has produced industry leading results on critical Sales Upload and Forecasting tests using Retek software solutions for the retail industry. Using the Retek Demand Forecasting application, a 24-way RS/6000 S80 processed 60 million SKU (stock keeping unit) combinations in 134 minutes. This data was representative of the point of purchase sales information that a 5,000 outlet retailer might typically process in one week. The S80 processed the data faster than any server ever tested by Retek.

"We are thrilled with the performance and scalability of the RS6000 S80," said John Goedert, senior vice president of development, Retek, Inc. "This test reconfirms the scalable nature of our product suite and our ability to process transaction levels of the world's largest retailers. Retek applications enable our customers to make fast and informed decisions in an increasingly complex and dynamic retail marketplace."

One of the biggest challenges facing retailers today is accurately forecasting the amount and type of inventory needed at any given time. Industry trends such as increasing amounts of data, longer store hours and increasing numbers of stores have further complicated the situation because the time available to process this data is shrinking.

Payless Cashways, a building materials and full-line lumberyard retailer, will use Retek Merchandising System and Demand Forecasting on an RS/6000 S80 to accurately predict demand and replenish hardware items, such as power tools and plumbing supplies, in its 150 retail outlets.

"With thousands of different items in today's hardware store to choose from, Retek and the RS/6000 S80 will help us to quickly and accurately predict and meet the needs of our customers," said James Deats, Vice President Information Systems, Payless Cashways. "We chose Retek for its ability to accurately and consistently forecast product demand and the S80 for its throughput and scalability."

In testing Retek's Retail Merchandise System Point of Sale Upload application, an S80 with 24 processors completed 16 million transactions in just 79 minutes.

Hudson's Bay Company, Canada's oldest corporation and its largest department store retailer, uses Retek's Upload application on an RS/6000 S80 to upload, process and store daily sales information from its 307 locations.

"We rely on the Retek Merchandising System for success in our growing retail business," said Gary Davenport, vice president, information services, Hudson's Bay Company. "We have to process a very large volume of retail transactions reliably. We considered other hardware platforms, but once we tested our workload on the RS/6000 S80, it was the clear choice for us."

"Correct forecasting is the key to replenishing store shelves with the right products at the right time," said Ian Miller, vice president of products and solutions, IBM Web Server Division. "IBM's work with Retek on the S80 will help assure that retailers' shelves are stocked and replenished in a timely fashion, saving retailers money and increasing customer satisfaction."

 

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