TCI Solutions Inc.'s inStore and TCI inStore Host packaged pricing and inventory management offerings are designed to meet the needs of North America's more than 12,000 small grocery chains and independents. Honolulu-based Star Markets, Ltd. and Pennsylvania-based Weis Markets are using TCI HQ and TCI Store.

TCI's introduction of inStore packages include: inStore Receiving, providing direct store delivery (DSD) receiving capabilities; inStore Pricing, for store-level pricing, POS connectivity, shelf price audit functionality and sign/label support; inStore Plus, consisting of DSD, store-level pricing, as well as basic category management; and inStore Host, providing centralized price management for headquarters.

TCI will market inStore through its existing reseller network. CGI Group Inc., an information technology and business process services firm, will also offer inStore implementation services for those resellers who choose not to provide installation and support.

Hawaiian supermarket chain Star Markets Ltd. has achieved paybacks in managing store costs, improving price integrity and savings in personnel costs since implementing the TCI's end-to-end enterprise-wide pricing and inventory management solution.

Star Markets used TCI HQ and TCI Store to implement a seamless solution that improves data integrity, increases control, facilitates ordering, and delivers accurate information.

Likewise, Weis Markets is using TCI Store to receive products in their 158 Weis, Mr. Z's and Weis/King's stores.

Weis Markets, with headquarters in Sunbury, Pa., replaced its custom-built store backroom system with the Microsoft Windows-based TCI Store. The chain was an early adopter of TCI's solutions. One of their selection criteria was to collaborate with TCI on developing system capabilities that were critical to Weis' operations, including their unique receiving and efficient electronic payment practices.

Weis is now receiving their DSD products at store-level, using new wireless hand-held units from Symbol Technologies Inc. The integrated solution has streamlined operations and accelerated the receiving process at all of the chain's grocery stores. The chain also uses TCI HQ, the company's headquarters pricing and inventory management solution, to manage random weight and price look up (PLU) items. Expanded usage of the application to support additional departments, including warehouse grocery, is currently underway.

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