ShopKo Stores Rolls out SofTechnics' SoftGrocer(TM)

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 18 - SofTechnics, a leading provider of integrated retail enterprise software solutions announced today that ShopKo Stores, Inc., has completed the rollout of SoftGrocer's(TM) Direct Store Delivery (DSD) solution in their ShopKo Stores Division. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, ShopKo Stores, Inc. operates 363 stores throughout the Midwest, Mountain, and Pacific Northwest regions. Retail formats include ShopKo, Pamida, and ShopKo Express Rx, a neighborhood drugstore concept.
 
SoftGrocer(TM) is a full-featured, GTIN compliant solution with the architectural flexibility to allow retailers to implement and maintain data and systems at multiple levels of the organization. The Direct Exchange Receiving application module is a method of electronically transferring information between a supplier and retailer at the time of delivery. The supplier, utilizing DEX, loads his invoice into the stores computer. The system verifies quantities, costs, and allowances and reconciles any differences and adjusts the invoice.

"ShopKo Stores is pleased to be partnering with SofTechnics and implementing SoftGrocer(TM) in our stores," said Matt Lynch, Senior Vice President, and Chief Information Officer of ShopKo Stores, Inc. "We believe that SoftGrocer's(TM) Direct Store Delivery (DSD) solution is the management tool we need to optimize receiving operations at the store and reduce paper invoice handling. We are pleased with SofTechnics' modular implementation approach, providing solutions that meet our business requirements."

"We, at SofTechnics, are pleased that ShopKo Stores has selected us to provide the In-store Receiving with DEX (UCS Direct Exchange) applications in order to optimize their store receiving operations," said Guy Dille, Global Business Unit Leader, Retail Software & Integration for Mettler-Toledo. "At SofTechnics, our focus continues to be delivering "best practices" solutions that meet the needs of our customers, and provide measurable and immediate ROI."

The 140 store ShopKo retail division is a multi-department retailer committed to offering quality merchandise, services and value to meet customers' needs for home, family basics, casual apparel and seasonal products, along with a special emphasis on retail health, operating in-store pharmacies and optical centers. ShopKo operates clean, safe stores with a goal of providing each customer with an excellent shopping experience so they will return to shop again. ShopKo strives to differentiate itself from its competition by meeting customer needs more quickly and conveniently, and by anticipating the needs of its customers' changing lifestyles.

SofTechnics, a Mettler-Toledo Company, is the leading provider of mobile price and inventory management solutions for the retail industry. SofTechnics' proven mobile computing applications have been implemented by many of the largest retailers in North America. The industry acceptance of these applications is the result of a combination of 20 years of experience developing mobile solutions and the extensive retail backgrounds of the associates of SofTechnics. The company is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, with development offices in Akron, Ohio and Des Moines, Iowa plus 14 sales and support offices across the United States.