REPORT ON THE INTEGRATION OF 'REPOS' WITHIN
             REPOS (REplatforming Point Of Sale) is a new system currently being installed throughout all branches, depots and offices of Sainsbury's supermarkets. It brings together new and existing technologies within the company to create one universal set of Information Systems. Currently Sainsbury's runs on 3 separate systems: SABRE (SAles Based REplenishment) is its ordering system, OASIS (Office Automation Systems In Sainsbury's) collates data, mainly from personnel, and the third is its POS (Point Of Sale) System.
             At present these 3 systems are not fully integrated so Sainsbury's has invested in REPOS in an effort to increase the effectiveness of its Information Systems infrastructure. All 3 systems will be scrapped and replaced with new REPOS software that covers all processes currently used as well as introducing new ones. This includes updated ordering software and personnel functions. It will move Sainsbury's more towards the "electronic corporation" by reducing the amount of paperwork within the store.
             REPOS not only incorporates new software, but also new hardware. Each branch will have new servers installed that are connected as a Local Area Network (LAN). Each store in turn is connected to head office, other stores, depots and suppliers through a Wide Area Network (WAN) named "connect" that also incorporates a new intranet. All PC's within the branch will be replaced with more powerful ones to accommodate the new system.
             Sainsbury's has been using the same basic systems for the past decade or so, although they have had regular upgrades on both their hardware and software. However, with
             the company rapidly loosing ground on its competition, it was felt that the systems needed a total overhaul to increase efficiency and keep pace with increasing market demands.
             Due to the nature of retailing in today's econ...