Bashas' Supermarkets Adds TCI's Headquarters Solutions; Central Data Repository and Strategic Pricing Capabilities to Improve Profitability.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

FMI MARKETECHNICS Show

Booth #1308

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 21, 2003

TCI Solutions Inc., today announced that Bashas' Inc., has selected the company's headquarters and pricing solutions to improve efficiency and provide flexibility in implementing strategic pricing programs. The news was released here at the FMI MARKETECHNICS Show.

Bashas', the 136-store supermarket chain with headquarters in Chandler, Ariz., will implement TCI Retail HQ(TM), which will provide a corporate technology infrastructure and central data repository for the company's item and vendor information. This will allow the chain to replace existing legacy systems with TCI's foundation and database. It will help to consolidate multiple databases, eliminate duplicate process and increase efficiency in managing product-level information. TCI's integration capabilities will allow Bashas' to utilize the single database to support their existing store, warehouse and accounting systems.

TCI's Pricing Package was also selected by Bashas' to provide structure and flexibility in executing strategic pricing programs for the company's banners, zones, areas and individual stores. The pricing solution will be used chain-wide, providing the flexibility and control needed to manage competitive, frequent shopper promotions and multi-dimensional pricing programs chain-wide.

"We were impressed with TCI's deep understanding of the grocery industry, their approach to integration and the capabilities of their strategic pricing solution," said Christie Coleman, Bashas' vice president, sales promotion and customer loyalty.

"By consolidating multiple databases into a company-wide central repository we expect to significantly decrease the time and resources needed to build and maintain the item information on which our strategic pricing initiatives are based."

Bashas is currently implementing TCI's Inventory Management System (IMS) in all of the chains' stores to improve pricing, inventory and direct-store-delivery (DSD) capabilities. The IMS solution will enable Bashas' to automate receiving and accounts-payable functions system-wide.

"We are pleased to extend our relationship with Bashas'," said Lance Jacobs, chairman and CEO of TCI Solutions. "Our goal is to leverage our industry expertise and offer forward-thinking chains like Bashas' a flexible infrastructure, integration facilities and applications. This will enable them to develop and execute programs that improve the efficiency of retail operations and support their business objectives."

TCI Solutions, founded in 1983, is a leading provider of enterprise-wide software and services to supermarket and drug chains. The solutions help manage merchandising, pricing, workforce, financial, and information systems from headquarters down to the store level.

TCI Retail(TM) consists of application solutions sets, powerful integration capabilities, an extensible, scalable infrastructure plus a central data repository. Together, the unique architecture provides the functional depth and flexibility needed to quickly execute business-critical decisions in today's complex retail environment.

TCI's solutions help reduce costs and improve efficiency in retail operations where automation, integration and execution are key to success. With more than 400 customers and 15,000 installations worldwide, the company offers a full range of software solutions, consulting and professional services, as well as technical support. With headquarters in Tucson, Ariz., TCI maintains sales and support offices nationwide. For more information visit: www.tcisolutions.com.