Released on = October 26, 2006, 6:20 pm

Press Release Author = Derek Meade/Volante POS Systems

Industry = Software

Press Release Summary = At the best of times, sourcing out a POS system for your
business operation can be a confusing, time consuming and arduous job. Throw in the
added obstacle of having to select point of sale software that can actually run on
your operating system, and it's easy to see why business owners shy away from this
difficult and often expensive task.

Press Release Body = In a never ending battle to ease costs, many businesses today
are looking at Linux as a server operating system. Issues such as cost and
flexibility make Linux an attractive choice. However, just as many operators may be
asking, "what exactly is Linux anyway?"

Linux is a free Unix-type operating system originally created by Linus Torvalds.
Developed under the GNU General Public License , the source code for Linux is freely
available to everyone. According to IBM, Linux is currently the fastest growing
server operating system.

Once businesses have chosen their operating system, the next task is usually
sourcing out a POS (point of sale) system. At the best of times, sourcing out a POS
system for your business operation can be a confusing, time consuming and arduous
job. Throw in the added obstacle of having to select point of sale software that
can actually run on your operating system, and it's easy to see why business owners
shy away from this difficult and often expensive task.

Research has shown that the number of POS terminals running Linux in North America
has increased 80% since 2002. The reason why is simple; Linux, as an operating
system, is more cost effective, flexible, and allows for greater freedom of choice
in software than more mainstream operating systems. Linux is also very cost
effective in regards to licensing, installation, administrative and support costs.
Linux can offer all these features without sacrificing functionality. For retailers
and restaurant/hospitality operators alike, cost and ease of use are king, and
reasons such as these can make the difference between a business that succeeds and a
business that fails.

POS software providers have been slow, however, to jump on the Linux bandwagon.
Currently, there are few well-known or enterprise-wide POS software packages
available for Linux. One company, however, has seen a niche in the market and has
embraced it head on. Volante POS Systems of Toronto, Canada offers a POS solution
that has been developed entirely in Java. Java is cross platform compatible and
operates in multiple environments - this gives the user freedom to choose Linux,
Windows 2000/XP, or Windows and Linux. For many operators, having a choice is key.

Not only does Java provide cross platform compatibility, but like Linux, using Java
POS solutions can be cost effective as well, as Java allows users the opportunity to
save on additional Windows license fees, as an example. Java's open standard
architecture allows the entire system to be compatible with third party industrial
applications. Users are free to choose their operating environment and are not bound
to costly proprietary restrictions.

Volante also offers integration with Windows-based back office applications. This
flexibility is rare in the POS industry. For more information on Volante's Linux &
Java POS solutions, visit their www.volantesystems.com or email them at
sales@volantesystems.com.

From a retail perspective, Linux is definitely catching on. Burlington Coat
Factory, for instance, has already rolled out Linux in all of their locations, both
as a desktop and POS system. Other retailers/restauranteurs currently using Linux
in their stores include: Papa John's, Garden Fresh, Mark's Work Wearhouse, Home
Depot, and Gap, to name a few.

The push for Linux isn't just in North America, either. Asian governments are
looking closely at Linux, hoping it will lead to the development of a domestic
software industry that isn't hostage to foreign licenses. According to Linux
Insider International, "Asia is emerging as a key battleground for the open-source
movement. The Japan-China-Korea (JCK) partnership, announced last month in Osaka, is
the latest in a string of initiatives to promote Linux. Two weeks earlier, Singapore
hosted the second annual Asia Open Source Symposium, where 20 Asian countries
discussed closer collaboration in standardization, localization and interoperability
of Linux software."

So, when choosing an operating system and subsequent point of sale system, consider
Linux. Discover for yourself why Linux is the fastest growing server operating
system.


Web Site = http://www.volantesystems.com

Contact Details = Volante POS Systems
1188 Martin Grove Road. Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M9W 5M9
International Sales Office: 416.522.1825
sales@volantesystems.com
www.volantesystems.com