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MarCole Gift RegistryWorks for Linux on IBM POWER processor-based systems
MarCole has been an IBM business partner for nearly 15 years. Today their Optimized Premier status within IBM's PartnerWorld community further strengthens the long term relationship with IBM.
MarCole GiftRegistryWorks supports IBM System p5TM Express, eserver® p5, i5, pSeries®, iSeriesTM and OpenPowerTM systems as well as the IBM eserver BladeCenter® JS20 server, so you can choose the best system to meet your needs. Ranging from 1 to 64 processor cores, all systems offer support for 32- and 64-bit applications, outstanding reliability features and excellent performance. System p5 Express, eserver p5, i5 and OpenPower systems help optimize resources through advanced virtualization and micro-partitioning-ideal for server consolidation. System p5 Express, eserver p5, i5 and pSeries systems also provide large memory capabilities and superior scalability features for large workloads. Server consolidation via virtualization allows retailers of any size to consolidate back-end gift registry servers for all stores in one centrally managed location.
For those clients preferring blade infrastructure, the POWER processor-based JS20 blade servers are also supported for MarCole Gift RegistryWorks and can help simplify administration, reduce costs and facilitate pay-as-you-grow scalability. p5 and i5 systems are available with up to 64 processors, supporting gift registry applications for multiple stores and other applications such as product and price databases. OpenPower systems are built on a mainframe-inspired hardware platform and are tuned for a Linux environment. OpenPower servers offer the same reliability, performance and flexibility features as p5 and i5 systems-for up to four processors- at breakthrough prices.
MarCole's Clients on Linux
Scheel's All Sports:
One of MarCole most recent Gift RegistryWorks implementations is for Scheels All Sports of Fargo, ND. Scheels is a 22 store Sporting Goods retail superstore regional chain with locations in 7 states including North Dakota, Iowa, South Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Nebraska.
Scheels deployment of Gift RegistryWorks running under Linux on IBM x series servers utilizing IBM DB2 and WebSphere Express is an excellent example of how a small or medium size business (SMB) customer can deploy industrial strength, contemporary, best-of-breed technology, in a short time frame at an affordable price. When compared to alternative options - it is hard to find a better value.
Boscov's Department Stores:
Boscov's search for an efficient gift registry management system ended with the IBM/MarCole solution.
With revenue in 2002 of $1.1 billion, Boscov's operates 40 stores across the mid-Atlantic states, in communities with 250,000 - 500,000 people. It prides itself on providing depth and breadth of merchandise.
Boscov's was searching for a gift registry to replace an antiquated, batch-oriented system and found what it was shopping for in GiftRegistryWorks, which runs on IBM WebSphere and Linux on an IBM z900 eserver platform and MarCole software. "We wanted an integrated and open e-commerce package that was designed to grow, and when MarCole told us about their plans to move into an integrated Web platform with IBM WebSphere, that was a key factor in our decision," said Boscov CIO Harry Roberts.
The bridal gift registry drives businesses, such as china, glass, housewares and electronics, said Ken Lakin, Boscov's CEO. With Gift RegistryWorks, the bride-to-be can walk through the store with a hand-held scanner and make choices. Selections are automatically uploaded and a customized list is created.
"With the completion of the IBM/MarCole bridal gift registry solution this summer, we are giving customers a more personal shopping experience," said Lakin. "With the tightly integrated WebSphere e-commerce platform, we are also expecting an uptick in our Web and e-commerce sales when it goes live this fall. In addition, we get information about the items gift registry customers want, and this helps us forecast sales and improve inventory turn."
"Our future plans are to expand the registry for all life events-births, weddings, house purchases, anniversaries," Lakin noted. "We want our customers to think of us as the 'life events' store, and the IBM/MarCole solution is helping us reach that goal."
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