FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1997-0041

Fujitsu Announces "GlobalSTORE" Retail Solution Using Active X Technology

-- Global & "open" solution for servers, POS and handheld terminals --

Tokyo, February 26, 1997 - Fujitsu Limited today announced a new software solution for the international retail business, called "GlobalSTORE." Based on Microsoft's Active X technology, GlobalSTORE is Fujitsu's new software application development solution for retail customers worldwide.

Fujitsu's new GlobalSTORE technology is an object oriented software development solution that enables businesses to quickly create and update their retail software systems. By using Active X technology, GlobalSTORE lets retailers use standard, or "open" software components to create competitive business solutions. GlobalSTORE allows the use of middleware solutions that connect across the Internet, corporate intranets or any network through application of Point of Sale systems (POS) or handheld terminals.

For customers GlobalSTORE means lower cost of ownership, decreased development time, flexible systems and a true "Plug and Play" environment. Because GlobalSTORE is marketed and supported internationally by Fujitsu and ICL, and the application development allows support for multiple languages, currencies and time/date formats, GlobalSTORE is an ideal solution for multinational retail customers who want to use the same retail system in multiple countries.

GlobalSTORE will be introduced in Japan by Fujitsu at the Store Automation Show 97, being held at Tokyo Big Site March 4-7.

GlobalSTORE concept

1. System expandability / Open system for a wide range of software selection: Based on de-facto standards like Windows NT and Active X, GlobalSTORE can be used to integrate the widest possible selection of software components.

2. 3 tier architecture - Reduces system development time by separating software systems into three working areas:
   • 1st layer: Graphic User Interface (GUI): an application architecture which enables reuse of software code.
   • 2nd layer: Retail Application Framework Technology (RAFT): the application layer for developing and updating business services.
   • 3rd layer: Database using Association Retail Technology Standard (ARTS): an advanced retail-specific infrastructure.

3. Ease of third party software houses to develop and add applications - Retail Application Framework Technology (RAFT): an open systems architecture that can use software objects made by many different applications.

4. Global platform - Supports multiple languages, currency and tax changes, and different date / time formats used around the world.

Press Enquiries:

Naomi Ogawa, Scott Ikeda Fujitsu Limited, Public Relations Tel : +81-3-3216-7952 Fax : +81-3-3216-9365 e-mail: scott@hq.fujitsu.co.jp ogawa@hq.fujitsu.co.jp

Customer inquiries:

Japan, Asia Tatsuya Sowashita Fujitsu Limited Tel : +81-3-3216-8035 Fax: +81-3-3216-8016 Internet e-mail: fujitsu-sowashita-tatsuya01@sag.fujitsu.co.jp	U.S. Saul Berenthal (Sr.VP) ICL Retail Systems, USA Tel: +1-214-716-8300 Fax: +1-214-716-8570
Europe Adrian King (Sr.VP) ICL Retail Systems, Europe Tel: +44-(0)1753-793600 Fax: +44-(0)1753-793838 Internet e-mail: aking@postsw.co.uk

URL: http://www.fujitsu.com/ (English Home Page)