Press release:

Toshiba Tec and IBM Announce Initial Closing of Acquisition of IBM’s Retail Store Solutions Business and Formation of Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions

- Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Operations Begin in USA, Canada, Mexico and Australia

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TOKYO, JAPAN and ARMONK, N.Y. - 01 Aug 2012: Toshiba Tec Corporation (TSE: 6588) and IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced the initial closing of the transaction in which Toshiba Tec will acquire IBM’s Retail Store Solutions (RSS) business. The agreement was announced on April 17, 2012.

Toshiba Tec has established Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation, a holding company, of which Toshiba Tec holds 80.1 percent ownership and IBM holds 19.9 percent ownership. Under the holding company, Toshiba Tec also has established Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, which has begun business operations in four countries: the United States, Canada, Mexico and Australia. Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions has its headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C., and is led by Steven D. Ladwig, President & CEO, Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, Inc. With the newly formed subsidiaries, Toshiba Tec has become the world's leading integrated in-store solutions company, offering products and solutions that provide new value to customers. 

Approximately 500 IBM RSS employees are joining local subsidiaries in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australia under the holding company. Subsequent closings will occur in other countries over time, subject to the satisfaction of regulatory requirements and customary closing conditions, as well as local agreements and the employee information and consultation process.  

As part of the transaction, Toshiba Tec and IBM will enter into a multi-year agreement where Toshiba Tec will join IBM’s Smarter Commerce business partner program as a Premier Business Partner for Smarter Commerce. This agreement will help ensure that IBM's portfolio of enterprise-level Smarter Commerce solutions and services, which extends from the corporate data center to the local retail store, and Toshiba Tec's customer-facing retail store solutions, are available to customers worldwide to meet the growing demand for multi-channel commerce. 

“Today represents a significant milestone in the history of Toshiba Tec as IBM’s RSS business becomes part of our company and Toshiba Tec will become an IBM Premier Business Partner for Smarter Commerce,” said Mamoru Suzuki, president and CEO, Toshiba Tec. “Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions will allow Toshiba Tec to establish a leading global company offering high quality solutions to the retail market. Our goal is to delight our customers as we continue to expand our presence in the worldwide retail market.” 

“As we have seen over the first half of the year, consumer expectations are rising for flawless retail experiences that extend from the store floor to their favorite mobile device,” said Craig Hayman, general manager, Industry Solutions, IBM Software Group. “By partnering with Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, we combine IBM’s enterprise offerings with a strong suite of in-store products, expanding our Smarter Commerce capabilities to provide multi-channel buying solutions for the growing Smarter Commerce market opportunity.” 

“Today Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions begins business operations in the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Australia,” said Steven D. Ladwig, President & CEO, Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, Inc. “We’re thrilled with the opportunity to combine the strengths of two respected IT leaders, and we look forward to serving a global clientele with innovative, integrated, in-store retail solutions.” 

Additional Transaction Details

For the purchase price of $850 million USD, Toshiba Tec Corporation made the first payment to IBM today of a portion of the aggregate purchase price and will pay a second portion on the first anniversary of the closing. The remaining portion will be paid on the third anniversary in exchange for IBM’s 19.9 percent equity interest in Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holding Corporation. Thereby, it is intended that Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Toshiba Tec.

Overview of Holding Company

• Company Name: Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation
• Address: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN
• Capital: $403 million USD
• Representative: Masato Yamamoto, President
• Shareholders: Toshiba Tec - 80.1 percent, IBM - 19.9 percent

Overview of the newly-formed company (U.S.)

• Address: Research Triangle Park, North Carolina worldwide headquarters
• Company Name: Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, Inc.
• U.S. employees: Approximately 450
• Chief Executive Officer: Steven D. Ladwig
• URL: http://www.toshibagcs.com/

About Toshiba Tec Corporation

• Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
• Capital: 39,970 million JPN YEN
• Revenue: 350,604 million JPN YEN(consolidated)
• Representative: Mamoru Suzuki, President and Chief Executive Officer
• Number of Employees: Approximately 20,000 (consolidated) (as of 2012/03)
• Number of Affiliates: 53 (as of 2012/03)
• URL: http://www.toshibatec.co.jp/en/

Slideshow: Microsoft Store Opens New Locations in Palo Alto, Calif., and Austin, Texas

News Release:

Slideshow: Microsoft Store Opens New Locations in Palo Alto, Calif., and Austin, Texas

May 08, 2012

Check out the great new devices on display.

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AUSTIN, Texas — May 8, 2012 — More choice, better value and great customer service are the core principles that all Microsoft Store locations have offered customers since they first launched in 2009. Openings last week in Palo Alto, Calif., and Austin, Texas, continued that tradition.

The Microsoft Store offers a selection of the best products available on Microsoft platforms for customers to test out and purchase. Whether it’s a student upgrading to a thinner and lighter PC, a small business trying out a touch-friendly all-in-one computer or a family looking for some fun with a new Xbox console, there’s something for everyone. And for those on the go, the selection of Windows Phones and tablets has proven popular at each store location.

“The Microsoft Store offers a wide variety of the latest Windows-based devices and software,” said Steve Guggenheimer, corporate vice president of the OEM Division at Microsoft. “This extends our vision of delivering great experiences to customers not only while using their devices, but also while shopping for them.”

The Microsoft Store not only offers a great selection from the top manufacturers, but also customers can make their new devices uniquely their own. Once a PC is purchased, a store employee will offer a personalized set-up session to help customers get familiar with their new computer and tailor the experience to their personal preferences.

Check out the slideshow showcasing images from the new store openings and see just a small selection of devices available at the Microsoft Store.

For more information, visit the Microsoft Store newsroom.

18

Sony VAIO SA

April 19, 2012

A family having some fun with the gorgeous Sony VAIO SA on display in Palo Alto.

Download: Web | Print

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Read More: Consumer, Retail, Windows 7, Windows Phone 7

Press Release : May 01, 2012

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HP and The UPS Store Help Customers Print While On the Go

HP ePrint Public Printing now available at The UPS Store locations

Topics:Strategic Focus: Connectivity, Strategic Focus: Software, Technology and Innovation, ePrint,Mobility

PALO ALTO, Calif., -- HP and The UPS Store® franchise network today announced that more than 4,300 The UPS Store locations nationwide are now a part of the HP ePrint Public Print Locations⁽¹⁾(PPL) network.

With approximately 80 percent of the U.S. population living within 10 miles of a The UPS Storelocation,⁽²⁾ this solution provides convenient on-the-go print services to the small office/home office market and consumers, as well as to corporate “road warriors.”

Customers can geolocate the nearest The UPS Store location and then submit a print job to receive a simple and secure retrieval code. Upon arrival at The UPS Store location, the customer provides the retrieval code to a store associate, who will print the documents. Users also can print documents multiple times over a seven-day period using the same secure retrieval code.

“By offering HP ePrint services through The UPS Store network, mobile workers now have the ability to be as productive on the road as they are in the office,” said Bruce Dahlgren, senior vice president, Managed Enterprise Solutions, Printing and Personal Systems Group, HP. “HP ePrint is a great example of the cloud enabling customer-driven innovation for greater access to information, no matter where you are.”

Currently, HP ePrint is available for more than 90 percent of the smartphone devices sold in the United States.⁽³⁾ By downloading the HP ePrint Service application on a BlackBerry®, iOS™ or Android™ smartphone or tablet, users can easily print emails, presentations, reports, travel documents and more to a local The UPS Store location.⁽⁴⁾

The HP ePrint Service application for smartphones and tablets is available for download atwww.hp.com/go/eprintmobile.

“We recognize mobile professionals’ demand for printing, and adding this service to The UPS Store network’s existing print offerings helps us provide exceptional service to our small-business and on-the-go customers,” said Bill Martin, vice president, Print Services, The UPS Store franchise network. “We are committed to helping our customers improve their productivity with the right mix of tools at their fingertips.”

In addition to professional printing services, including color and black-and-white prints, large format, binding, lamination, finishing and folding, The UPS Store network offers a variety of services to help with the logistics of running a small business, including mailboxes with real street addresses, packing and shipping services, and notary and direct mail services.

HP’s premier client event, HP Discover, takes place June 4-7 in Las Vegas. 

About The UPS StoreWith more than 4,700 locations, The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. network comprises the world’s largest franchise system of retail shipping, postal, print and business service centers throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada. In the U.S. and Puerto Rico, The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. (MBE), a UPS subsidiary. In Canada, locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of master licensee MBEC Communications, L.P. For additional information on The UPS Store, including information on franchise opportunities, visit www.theupsstore.com.

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(1) Usage of HP ePrint Public Print Locations requires internet- and email-capable smartphone or tablet with separately purchased wireless internet service, and the HP ePrint service app. Availability and cost of printing varies by location. A list of supported smartphone and tablet operating systems is available at www.hp.com/go/eprintmobile.
(2) August 2010 Nielsen and The UPS Store.
(3) Based on internal HP data.
(4) Supports the following devices running iOS 4.2 or later: iPad, iPad 2, iPhone (3GS or later), iPod touch (third generation or later). Works with HP AirPrint-enabled printers and requires the printer be connected to the same network as the iOS device. Wireless performance is dependent upon physical environment and distance from the access point.

General Dynamics C4 Systems Debuts New ‘Buy Now’ Online Store for Rugged Computers and Accessories

Press release:

General Dynamics C4 Systems Debuts New ‘Buy Now’ Online Store for Rugged Computers and Accessories

SUNRISE, Fla. – General Dynamics C4 Systems has created an online store for customers to identify, compare and purchase a full range of accessories and ruggedized computers from General Dynamics. Powered by Group Mobile, the online store features a ‘chat’ capability that connects customers with trained specialists who can recommend the various products and accessories that match their system requirements.

Tom “TK” Kreidler, vice president of Worldwide Product Sales for General Dynamics C4 Systems, said, “From power cords to carrying cases to rugged computers, the new online store is a fast and cost-effective option for small procurements of computers and accessories. The site is also a convenient source to view the latest promotions and special offers from General Dynamics.”

The online store also offers the full range of accessories for the Itronix product line. Popular items, including vehicle-mounting trays, connector cables and chargers, are very competitively priced, with no shipping charges for orders over $99 delivered by ground transportation.

The store is exclusive to General Dynamics’ rugged computing products. Group Mobile manages the website, trains and provides the customer service personnel and is committed to complete customer satisfaction. Visit the new General Dynamics store at www.gd-itronix.com/buynow.

“We are very pleased to expand our relationship with the General Dynamics Itronix product line and look forward to providing exceptional value-added services to our shared customers,” stated Randall P. Marx, CEO of Group Mobile. “General Dynamics’ rugged computing products have a sound, established business and a network of strong, loyal customers. Their products are of the highest quality and very competitive.”


General Dynamics C4 Systems is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

Headquartered in Phoenix, Ariz., Group Mobile International LLC offers accessory and ruggedized computer products for customers all over North America. Customers range from Fortune 500 companies and the U.S. military, to local police/fire/ambulance, to small and mid-size businesses, to the frequent traveler that needs something more durable than a commercial, off-the-shelf computer.