ECRS Introduces LogicSync™ - a Transformative Retail Technology

BOONE, N.C., March 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Appalachian State University (ASU) -- After five years of extensive development, in-field testing, and collaborative research on behalf of ECRS by students from Appalachian State University's Department of Computer Science, ECRS is formally introducing LogicSync™, a new proprietary business logic and methodology that dramatically bridges current EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) technologies with in-store retail systems. LogicSync is an innovative, cloud-centric technology that greatly extends the ubiquitous EDI standard beyond mere electronic document transmission, and into a transformational store level automation tool for small to mid-size (SMB) retail businesses.

This technology is an industry game changer, allowing SMB retailers to completely automate and streamline fifteen high-labor touch-points such as inventory replenishment, item receiving, price management, supplier promotions, DSD (direct store delivery), new item onboarding, and much more.

"The key to LogicSync is that it fulfills what has been the promising but elusive goal of EDI within the SMB retail sector," stated ECRS President Pete Catoe. "LogicSync dramatically reduces the need for human interaction with common data, both mundane and complex.  It does so in part by eliminating redundant labor that exists between supplier and retailer, and by providing the essential infrastructure for a well organized and consistently profitable store operation.  Our field results are extraordinary and strongly indicate that LogicSync is no ordinary advancement, but instead a tool to dramatically transform how SMB retailers will do business for years to come."

LogicSync powers ECRS solutions such as Supplier Gateway™ to enable optimal functionality and user benefit. The ECRS Supplier Gateway provides a portal through which retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and brokers can freely exchange EDI and other electronic document transmissions. It then intuitively routes documents and performs automated functions at the store level. LogicSync intelligence transforms everyday supplier data into an automation performance tool.

"At Tree of Life, we're committed to putting accurate, consistent, and timely information in the hands of our retail partners. With LogicSync, ECRS is taking a major step toward that same goal," said Greg Leonard, Senior Vice President of Natural Food Sales for Tree of Life. "This innovative new technology will assure that Tree of Life's items, costs, and promotions flow seamlessly into the ECRS Supplier Gateway and CATAPULT™ - reducing keystrokes, eliminating errors, and saving time - that's a "big idea" in anybody's business."

Below are retailer responses from LogicSync field implementations:

"We have had great success with Logic-Sync. When we transitioned, our inventory commitment decreased and our sales turns increased. We now carry less back stock and enjoy more on-time ordering," said National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA) Board Member and Berkshire Co-op Market General Manager, Art Ames.

"LogicSync technology has taken our supply chain automation to the next level. Our business has prospered since installation, and tedious manual processes across the enterprise have been dramatically reduced," said Catherine Eugenides, POS and Admin Support Manager, Fruitful Yield Health Foods.

"Paired with the ECRS perpetual inventory system, LogicSync technology helped us take control of our OTC inventory management. We are able to keep less inventory on hand because we replenish daily and the system orders only when an item is needed," said Wendy Williams, Systems Analyst, Cleveland Clinic.

"We are now using Supplier Gateway to order from our main supplier.  The ECRS handheld units make ordering swift and failsafe; all the buyers love them.  LogicSync updates the Purchase Order Worksheet in Catapult with purchase costs and quantities that match the paper invoice, meaning we only have to deal with the exceptions. The system allows us to quickly and easily identify changes in our costs so we can maintain accurate margins," said Susan Hackett, NCGA-member co-op, Linden Hills Co-op Grocery & Deli.

"The time savings with receiving alone is enormous. The ECRS Gateway service in collaboration with LogicSync has enabled us to begin an automated receiving process and move towards perpetual inventory management for the first time. With the visibility this technology provides, we can manage our margins and make sure we have products our customers want," said Sheryl McCoy, NCGA-member co-op, Good Foods Market & Cafe.

About ECRS

With thousands of successful customers, ECRS products run some of the most demanding retail environments across North America.  The ECRS solutions framework includes point-of-sale, self-checkout, back office management, inventory automation, auto-replenishment, security and compliance, fuel pump interface, pharmacy management system integration, loyalty, gift card, membership management, customer billboard advertising, signature capture, supplier integration, and eCommerce.

About Appalachian State University

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Appalachian State University offers a challenging academic environment, energetic campus life and breathtaking location. Appalachian combines the best attributes of a small liberal arts college with those of a large research university. Known for its value and affordability, Appalachian enrolls about 17,000 students and offers more than 140 undergraduate and graduate majors. Small classes and close interactions between faculty and students create a strong sense of community, which has become an Appalachian hallmark. Appalachian, located in Boone, N.C., is one of 16 universities in the University of North Carolina system.

SOURCE ECRS