SOFTWARE designers from a South Lakeland firm are helping the world's leading confectionery manufacturers to revolutionise the way they carry out business with independent retailers.

Jpi Creative Technology and Nestle Rowntree are developing the very latest technology to enable shopkeepers to order merchandising and promotional material simply by the touch of a finger.

The Kendal firm, based at Murley Moss Business Park, says the new hi-tech sales technique is the first of its kind in the country. It is seen as a ground-breaking step in the retail sector, which will be in demand from many other businesses.

The initiative followed research by Nestle Rowntree to investigate how best it could communicate with independent retailers.

Surveys revealed shop-keepers wanted information about TV advertising schedules, promotions and available point-of-sale display material at the same time as they were shopping in their local cash and carry stores.

Working together, Jpi and the confectionery giant developed the so-called Reward Zone, which also distributes vouchers for products retailers are not currently stocking in their shops.

Shopkeepers can take advantage of the new service by using an easy-to-follow, interactive and secure touch-screen console at cash and carry outlets.

Mark Palacio, managing director of Jpi, said working side by side with Nestle had enabled the firm's designers and technicians to develop touch-screen capability in a practical business way.

"The touch-screen market is ready-made for this kind of high-speed, large sales volume industry, but equally the touch-screen technology can be readily adapted to a variety of other industrial sectors especially those wanting to offer customers a 24/7 presence," said Mr Palacio.

The touch-screen technology was hailed by Jim Hansen, category customer marketing manager for Nestle Rowntree, who said: "I wanted to find better ways to communicate with our retailers. The solution Jpi developed is exactly what I was looking for and is working well in initial trials."

Touch-screen tech-nology works by the screen emitting an electrical field. When you touch the screen, the field is disturbed and the system knows which part of the screen is being touched and what information is required.

Formed in 1997, Jpi now has a number of prestigious clients that make use of its innovative software systems.

Closer to home, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority used Jpi last year to create a touch screen system to revamp visitor information throughout the Dales.

May 29, 2003 16:00