Austin, TX — (press release excerpt) — Point-of-sale (POS) system manufacturer Wincor Nixdorf Inc. today announced plans to offer Linux as a platform for migrating DOS-based POS systems to full-function, next-generation POS solutions. The migration offering marks another step in Wincor Nixdorf's ongoing commitment to assist retailers in building modern POS solutions based on the Red Hat Linux platform.

With the support of Red Hat Inc., Wincor Nixdorf has developed a tool set that enables the technical layer of a DOS-based application to be replaced by a Linux-based technical layer. As the interface to the technical layer does not change for the POS application, implementation of the business rules remains the same, thus protecting the customer's software investment.

“Many POS systems are still running on DOS, because a considerable number of retailers don't want to lose the enormous investment made in their existing DOS-based applications,” said Jeff Soisson, vice president, Retail Solutions Group, Wincor Nixdorf. “By replacing the underlying operating system (OS) platform, we can offer retailers a migration path toward a modern POS solution environment that supports advanced POS functionality such as customer relationship management and multi-channel retailing.”

“The open strategies of Wincor Nixdorf have resulted in a customer-driven solution in which retailers and their customers are the winners. Wincor Nixdorf's business model is built around listening to retailers, then applying our years of retail experience and technology know-how to help them make sound investments that drive productivity and reduce costs,” added Soisson.

Initiated in 1998, Wincor Nixdorf's dedicated work with Linux for retail POS is unprecedented. Wincor Nixdorf's long-standing investments and achievements include . . .

• First retail-hardened thin-client POS system — BEETLE /NetPOS

• First Linux-ready POS system platform in production — the BEETLE family

• First thin client competency labs focused on Linux-based POS systems

• Significant Linux-based POS engagements at leading retailers worldwide including Burlington Coat Factory, Carrefour, DIA, and co op Schleswig Holstein eG

• First globally-managed, network centric in-store solution — SmartClient

• First POS vendor to offer a complete set of JavaPOS drivers for Linux

• Active participation in ARTS, JavaPOS and UPOS standards committees

Wincor Nixdorf's BEETLE family of POS systems is the industry's first and only complete line of customer-proven, Linux-ready POS systems in production. The systems also offer the most xpansive and complete set of JavaPOS drivers for POS peripherals.

The BEETLE POS systems address the complete spectrum of customer touch points in the retail store environment. With solutions that encompass thin-client POS terminals, lean- and thick-client POS systems, kiosks, lottery terminals, and mobile POS devices, the BEETLE family is the industry's most comprehensive POS product line. An open design supporting commonality of components across the entire BEETLE family substantially simplifies software deployment and hardware maintenance, keeping costs down and productivity high. More than just PCs, BEETLE systems are rugged, designed to withstand the rigors of retail environments. All systems include standard retail interfaces, accept a wide range of peripherals, and are compliant with established retail software standards.

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