Brussels (Belgium), June 18th 2010 - For introducing a highly innovative new application for voice directed working and achieving dramatically improved customer service levels, Argos and Zetes were awarded the coveted BT Retail Week Technology Award for Supply Chain Excellence at this year’s gala dinner at the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane in London, on June 15, 2010.

In what the judges acknowledged to be a groundbreaking project with equally ambitious implementation timeframes, Argos, working in partnership with Zetes, has introduced a voice directed put-away system in its back of store areas.  This initiative is a first for any European retailer and provides a future model for other retailers looking to improve back of store productivity, stock availability and customer service levels.

Praising the quality of the Argos and Zetes entry the judges said, “The winner’s technology is not new to retail, but the way it is being used, and the successful cultural change that has been achieved is significant. Other retailers will find themselves doing similar in the next few years.”

Alan Jeffries, Head of Store Operations at Argos said, “It is very pleasing to have what started out as an interesting concept validated at such a prestigious award ceremony.  The impact on business has been significant.  Previously stores needed to put away products within each cage and then release the products for sale.  Now, individual items are released for sale as soon as they are put away - on shelf literally means on sale.”

James Hannay, Senior VP for Northern Region at Zetes said, “This is a huge accolade and we are delighted to have worked closely with Argos both to achieve a successful implementation, and then go on to success together at these awards.  Congratulations to everyone whose hard work and dedication helped to make this happen,”

The BT Retail Week Technology Awards aim to reward the very best in retail technology and recognise the excellent service they deliver to the customers they serve. The awards bring together industry leaders to celebrate the most innovative and passionate technology professionals operating in Retail today.

At the ceremony, Joanna Perry, technology editor of Retail Week magazine commented: “In the past 12 months the appetite for technology and innovation seems to have stepped up a gear, the quality of the entries and especially the winners this year has been fantastic, and I’m expecting the celebrations to be even more upbeat tonight.”

The evening was filled with celebration and the recognition of success, encouraging the crowd to recognise what they had achieved last year in the tough climate and to take the innovation forward in to 2011.  For more information on The Retail Week Technology Awards go to www.retailweektechnologyawards.com.

Zetes is Europe’s largest integrator of voice solutions.  The company has now completed over 800 voice implementations, which equates to over 60% of all live projects, supporting an installed base of over 45,000 users.