Jo-Ann Stores Craft an Enhanced Customer Experience with Symbol Enterprise Mobility Solution
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Mobile Computers, Wi-Fi Network Infrastructure and System Management Solution Enable Leading Fabric and Craft Chain to Deliver Efficient Service to Shoppers
HOLTSVILLE, N.Y., July 19 / Symbol Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:SBL), The Enterprise Mobility Company(TM), and Creative Concepts Software, Inc., a leader in providing mobile enterprise software solutions, today announced that Jo-Ann Stores deployed Symbol's Mobility Services Platform (MSP), mobile computers and Wi-Fi network infrastructure at 278 of its high-volume stores. The fabric and craft retail chain installed a complete Symbol enterprise mobility solution to provide employees with access to information in real-time and improve customer service and productivity.
Jo-Ann Stores selected Symbol's products following an extensive review of competing offerings. Symbol's MC3000 mobile computer was selected for its ease of use, small, lightweight form factor and the ability to support the retailer's existing applications. Jo-Ann Stores also chose Symbol's WS2000 wireless switches and AP300 access ports to serve as their business-critical Wi-Fi network infrastructure to provide wireless connectivity for the MC3000 mobile computers. Symbol's MSP is used to manage the complete system, from handheld devices to wireless infrastructure, allowing administrators to perform maintenance, observe performance and monitor the battery life of handheld devices.
Currently the enterprise mobility system serves 164 Jo-Ann Superstores and 114 top-selling traditional stores. Jo-Ann Stores plans to install the same solution in new stores they build, and eventually upgrade all remaining stores.
"Jo-Ann's entire customer service model sets us apart from our competitors. We take extra steps to ensure that visitors to our stores are inspired, provided with the most comprehensive craft and fabric offerings in the industry, and serviced in a timely and pleasant manner by our knowledgeable employees," said Alan Rosskamm, chairman and chief executive officer of Jo-Ann Stores. "Symbol's cost-effective mobile solutions put valuable information and convenience in the hands of each store associate enabling us to more efficiently manage our business."
Improved customer service at the fabric cutting stations
With more than 820 stores in 47 states, Jo-Ann Stores needed a national system that could scale and benefit from newer technologies. The Symbol solution has resulted in increased productivity and improved customer service at the fabric cutting stations, check-out stations and in many craft merchandise areas. The combination of data capture and real-time computing in the Symbol MC3000 mobile computer allows Jo-Ann Stores' staff the capability to process and complete special order requests, check prices, stock inventory, and enact immediate price changes without leaving the sales floor.
The Symbol MC3000 mobile computers were installed with applications originally created by Jo-Ann Stores that allow employees to shift from customer service functions to monitoring incoming shipments, maintaining monthly sales records, and assisting with merchandise placement. Creative Concepts Software converted the old programs so they would run on new Windows- based devices.
"Enterprise mobility enables store associates to run the applications they need, when they need them, whether they stand at a counter or roam more widely. By providing its associates with mobile computers, Jo-Ann Stores is taking the next step in enterprise mobility, displaying its commitment to providing the best possible customer service," said Mark Self, vice president of the retail solutions group for Symbol Technologies. "Symbol is dedicated to working with our solution partners to help retailers such as Jo-Ann Stores focus on their customers and gain a competitive advantage through the use of enterprise mobility solutions."
Jo-Ann Stores worked with Creative Concepts Software to deploy the enterprise mobility system, and continue business operations with minimal interruption during the system upgrade. Creative Concepts Software provided a unique conversion technology to allow a rapid, risk-free transition to the new Windows-based system. The new application user interface - used for scanning of product prices, measuring of purchase amounts and calculating sales totals - looks identical to the previous DOS version. As the new application maintained the same user interface, employees did not require additional training to use the new mobile computers.
Creative Concepts provides DOS-to-Windows CE conversions for their retail customers to help them use the latest technology at the lowest costs. By converting DOS programs, rather than creating new applications, retail businesses avoid retraining their often large workforces, and minimize problems in the development process.
"Symbol's line of enterprise mobility products is valuable for helping enterprises such as Jo-Ann Stores experience efficiencies in business operations and increased staff productivity," said John Chis, president of Creative Concepts Software. "We believe in partnering with an innovative industry leader such as Symbol to provide our customers with advanced business-critical solutions to help improve overall operational performance and reduce costs."
About Symbol Technologies
Symbol Technologies, Inc., The Enterprise Mobility Company(TM), is a recognized worldwide leader in enterprise mobility, delivering products and solutions that capture, move and manage information in real time to and from the point of business activity. Symbol enterprise mobility solutions integrate advanced data capture products, radio frequency identification technology, mobile computing platforms, wireless infrastructure, mobility software and world-class services programs. Symbol enterprise mobility products and solutions are proven to increase workforce productivity, reduce operating costs, drive operational efficiencies and realize competitive advantages for the world's leading companies. More information is available at www.symbol.com.
About Creative Concepts Software, Inc.
Founded in 1995, Creative Concepts Software, Inc. (CCS) is a leading provider of software and solutions in the enterprise mobility marketplace. The company serves customers in the grocery, retail/general merchandise and warehousing/ distribution industries that require robust, secure, easy-to-use mobile technology that allows them to capture, transmit and manage data in real-time. CCS's customer base is comprised of a broad range of the leading Fortune 1000 companies.
CCS partners with best-of-breed hardware manufacturers and develops next generation software to provide proven, reliable solutions for customers' unique enterprise mobility requirements. The resulting enhanced information- sharing between suppliers, customers, the back office, loading dock and selling floor drives supply-chain productivity while reducing operating expenses and freeing cash for capital investment and competitive advantage.
About Jo-Ann Stores, Inc.
Jo-Ann Stores, Inc., the leading national craft and fabric retailer, operates more than 820 superstore and traditional format locations in 47 states. For additional information, visit www.joann.com.
Source: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
CONTACT: Ed Tan of Symbol Technologies, Inc., +1-408-528-2996, or ed.tan@symbol.com ; or Danielle Siemon of Edelman for Symbol Technologies,
+1-650-483-6146, or danielle.siemon@edelman.com ; or For financial
information: Lori Chaitman, or Nancy Coco, both of Symbol Technologies, Inc.,
+1-631-738-5050, or lori.chaitman@symbol.com , or For industry analyst
information: Shirley Schroedl of Symbol Technologies, Inc., +1-631-738-4823, or shirley.schroedl@symbol.com
Web site: www.symbol.com/
http://www.joann.com/
