He began his career with Rank Xerox in 1977 as an apprentice electronics engineer before working in various customer services positions over the next 20 years, including periods with Mitel, AB Electronics, Scientific-Atlanta and
ICL Retail Systems.
Vendor supporters of the ActiveStore initiative include ACCESS, author of dSIGN for Windows, ACR Systems, BASS, Campbell Software, Compaq, Compris Technologies, CSOFT International, Cyntergy, Datavantage, Epson America, Gilbarco, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Ibertech,
ICL Retail Systems, IMB / People-Planner, Intocorp Computer Solutions, JDA Software, Kronos, MATRASystems, McKesson Pharmacy Systems, MICROS Systems, MSS Global, Inc.
One of these is the "supertag" system developed by
ICL Retail Systems, which instantly scans tagged items in a shopping basket and totals them as the consumer walks through the lane.
ICL Retail Systems has developed a consultancy programme that addresses these: it is called Dateproof 2000 Retail.
In addition to Sun Microsystems, IBM and NCR, other technology vendors involved in the effort have included
ICL Retail Systems and Symbol Technologies.
To find a solution to the open systems dilemma, technology companies such as Campbell Software, Fujitsu, IBM Corp.,
ICL Retail Systems, NCR Corp., and Olsy-Olivetti Systems teamed together and sought help from Microsoft.
Research undertaken by
ICL Retail Systems shows that unless companies start to work now--and work together with other organisations, including competitors and suppliers to fix the millennium timebomb, the effect on industry could be extensive.
ICL Retail Systems, ISS400 POS system, designed to assist grocers in migrating to an open environment, supports ICL's older terminals like the 9520 as well as the newer, PC-based terminal called TeamPoS.