Zetes launches ZetesAthena, a cloud-based solution to centrally manage in-store operations of multi-branch retailers

Brussels, 30 April 2013 - Zetes, the EMEA leader in collaborative supply chain solutions, today launches ZetesAthena, its in-store management solution for the retail industry. Zetes Athena not only helps retailers to manage typical in-store operations efficiently, but enables them to do so centrally thanks to its cloud-based approach. Especially for those companies managing several shops locally or internationally, this approach brings about important benefits in terms of efficiency, visibility and investments to be made.

Every retailer wishes to optimise inventory and stock accuracy, avoid out of stock situations and handle customer orders and returns efficiently. Typically, when managing multiple stores/branches, the implementation of an in-store solution that helps them achieve the desired aims requires significant investment in local store IT infrastructure. The impact is twofold, requiring substantial capex and a high level of local system maintenance. With ZetesAthena, retailers can streamline in-store operations while managing them easily through the central IT department.

Easy cloud-based deployment, no hidden costs

ZetesAthena makes use of the cloud-based MCLTM Mobility Platform, developed by Zetes’ sister company MCL Technologies. This allows apps to be stored centrally in the Enterprise Application Store and sent or accessed directly from the mobile terminals used by the shop workers, regardless of the hardware or infrastructure used in the local stores. This brings a number of important advantages:

Ability to manage different branches with no local IT department
Automatic application and product information updates
Reduced data input time for staff in the store, allowing to increase customer facing tim
Easy deployment for new stores and/or devices
No hidden costs: no investments in servers, databases, OS licenses, resources to maintain the infrastructure and databases, disaster recovery…
100% visibility on product availability in all the shops

The solution is offered as a SaaS (Software as a Service), offering fully managed service including hardware maintenance and support. The MCL Mobility Platform is also enabling our customers to adapt and optimize their processes to their future business needs.

No more lost sales through empty shelves

In addition to the fact that the solution is cloud-based and offered as a SaaS, ZetesAthena also offers all the classical benefits of an in-store solution:

avoid empty shelves
execute real time inventory
get accurate visibility on stock room and sales floor availability
make a clear distinction between click and collect stock and shop floor stock
get rid of paper work and increase data accuracy
easily manage customer orders, customer returns and inter-branch transfers
keep track of stock movements
handle price and promotion management efficiently

Marcel Kars, Senior VP Sales & Marketing declares: “ZetesAthena’s unique approach, enabled through the MCL Mobility Platform, has already generated particular interest from major European retailers running multiple stores across several countries. It allows them to look at their store operations management in a new way that brings them even more visibility and efficiency. The solution responds to their two main preoccupations: keeping their costs under control and increasing customer satisfaction. We are proud that with ZetesAthena, we now offer our customers full supply chain optimisation and traceability all the way from the packaging line to the store. ”