IVIS Group wins prestigious Microsoft Retail Application Development Award

10th April 2002 - IVIS Group's innovative approach to e-commerce was rewarded at the Microsoft European Retail Application Developer (RAD) Awards in Paris recently. IVIS Group won the special category 'Best use of Open Internet Technologies', for their work in developing Tesco.com National Stores.

Regarded as the ultimate prize in retail technology, a Microsoft RAD award recognises innovation, vision and excellence in the use of Microsoft technologies. The awards are given to companies which make innovative use of technology as a means of enabling better interaction with customers and which deliver measurable business value.

IVIS Group was recognised with a special award for the 'Best use of Open Internet Technologies' for their work in developing Tesco.com National Stores. This particular award recognises an initiative that saw IVIS Group working in partnership with Tesco.com to expand their product offering to nine new markets in less than two years; yet with no impact on their respective supply chains. The solution was developed using Microsoft technologies and is based on XML standards. The architecture is based on a Web Services model.

Qusai Sarraf, CEO, IVIS Group, said: "We are very proud to win the award, and particularly pleased because this award recognises IVIS Group's innovative approach to e-business. We pride ourselves as pioneers in using Web Services technology to help corporate retailers gain maximum benefit from their unique brands." Last year, IVIS Group were selected from over 700 contenders as Microsoft's "Best E-commerce Solution" for Western Europe, for their work on Tesco.com's grocery system, which is recognised as the world's most successful online grocery site.

Michel Annink, Retail Industry Manager, Microsoft EMEA, commented: "It's incredible to see the innovative applications companies are developing across the region based on Microsoft technology. This year proved how cutting-edge technology can improve both the customer experience and business profitability." The pace of development in retail technology applications was reflected by the sheer volume of high-calibre entrants this year from throughout the EMEA region.

IVIS Group scored highly with the judges, who were looking for applications with quantifiable business benefits, ease of adoption, best integration, exploitation of Internet and Intranet technologies and best use of available Microsoft technology.

Michael Gerling, Managing Director, EHI and RAD Award judge, said: "This year it was clear that companies had really thought through the business issues as well as the technology issues".

This years RAD awards were organised in association with the annual Global Retail Technology Forum 2002 and co-sponsored by Compaq Computer Corporation, EMC Corporation and Intel Corporation.