QS/1 and ECRS Partner to Improve Efficiencies in Grocery-Pharmacy Hybrid Retail Spaces

BOONE, N.C., Nov. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- QS/1 and ECR Software Corp. (ECRS) today announced the release of their interface linking ECRS's CATAPULT™ point-of-sale system (POS) and the QS/1 NRx™ pharmacy management system (PMS). This tightly-woven software integration was jointly developed to improve bi-directional communication between the POS and the PMS and merge all pharmacy and grocery department business data into a centralized repository.

The QS/1 and ECRS systems integration allows grocery retailers with pharmacy departments to better coordinate systems for improved accountability, data accuracy, customer service, and streamlined work flow. This merger of store systems is a big step in supermarket automation as more hybrid retailers enter the marketplace in order to increase customer convenience in a one-stop-shop format.

Star Super Market and Discount Pharmacy, a four-store grocery chain in the Huntsville, AL area, served as the model and pilot site for this ground-breaking project.

"I believe the relationship between ECRS and QS/1 will help provide the best customer service, drive loyalty, and prevent costly errors by consolidating our CATAPULT point-of-sale system used in the pharmacy and grocery with our QS/1 NRx pharmacy management system," stated James Ahlschlager, Chief Information Officer for Star Super Market and Discount Pharmacy.  "With tighter integration, and through the incorporation of new technologies, we are striving to make shopping easier for our customers."

Ahlschlager continues, "The interface between ECRS and QS/1 helps accommodate our evolving needs in the grocery and pharmacy industries. We have also met a key market demand by breaking down barriers seen in many current point-of-sale systems with limited ability to serve, and consolidate, varying departments within one store."

Interface functionality includes bi-directional communication between CATAPULT and QS/1 for sold prescription tracking, co-located prescription data for easier retrieval, signature prompts and centralized signature storage (HIPAA, electronic payment, prescription pick-up, counseling, etc.), and accurate, real-time Will-Call bin management with available Family Link at the POS. This advanced functionality provides flexibility and convenience for pharmacy staff and faster, more accurate customer transactions. It also provides a centralized place for all store transaction data resulting in more accurate reporting across all departments and locations.

"Supermarkets with pharmacies can benefit from a robust point-of-sale solution with tight integration," said QS/1 Vice President of National Sales Tom McLeod.  "Combining our NRx system with CATAPULT gives supermarkets a complete view of sales on both sides of the pharmacy counter, while giving the pharmacy complete record keeping of prescriptions and required signatures."

"The traditional supermarket business model has evolved into one where customers expect to be able to fulfill a wide array of needs spanning many different services under one roof," said ECRS President and CEO Pete Catoe. "Tying all of these mini-businesses together in one common retail system can really pay dividends for retailers by cutting costs, improving visibility and providing a higher level of customer service.  Progressive retailers, like Star Markets, have figured this out and we, along with QS/1, are proud to help them get there."

About ECRS

ECRS provides front-to-back retail automation for single-store and multi-store merchants. The ECRS product suite includes: point-of-sale, back office management, inventory management, supplier integration, self checkout,  centralized HQ management, mobile solutions, customer loyalty, self-hosted gift card, customer display advertising, promotion management and planning, automated pricing management, DVR, fuel pump interface, pharmacy management interface, controlled substance tracking, NPLEx Pseudoephedrine tracking, IIAS, PCI-DSS, Texas WIC, electronic payment, payroll deduct, A/R integration, and supply chain/warehousing. For more information, please visit www.ecrs.com or email [email protected].

About QS/1

QS/1 is a division of the J M Smith Corporation (1944), the fourth largest privately-held company in South Carolina. In 1977, the company recognized healthcare professionals' need for specific software and hardware packages designed to help provide more efficient and effective care for customers and pharmacy patients. QS/1's first system was the QS/1 Pharmacy System, now known as NRx, and was designed for the independent pharmacy market. Today, QS/1 provides products, services, and support to a variety of healthcare providers with a primary focus on providing the industry's best pharmacy management software for community pharmacies, chain pharmacies, long-term care pharmacies, and home medical equipment providers. Visit QS/1 at www.qs1.com/.

SOURCE ECRS