Article

NCR outperforms with double-digit bump

NCR posts a solid start to 2013, with first quarter revenues up 13 percent year-over-year.

May 6, 2013 by Suzanne Cluckey — Owner, Suzanne Cluckey Communications

Financial results reported last week by NCR Corporation were better than expected, as the company posted a double-digit bump to their first quarter earnings.

The company reported revenue of $1.41 billion, a 13 percent year-over-year gain for the period — a "solid start to 2013," as William Nuti, NCR chairman and CEO, described it. Without the unfavorable impact of 2 percent due to foreign currency translation, revenue would have risen by 15 percent.

As the result of the company's outperformance of previous estimates, Nuti said that NCR would increase its profitability outlook for the full year, seeing a strong momentum in both the it's retail and hospitality segments.

"During the quarter, we closed the acquisition of Retalix, strengthening our retail software and services offerings. We continue to advance our leading global point-of-sale solutions and new innovations, such as our NCR Silver tablet and mobile solution for smaller retailers, and integrate mobile technologies across our platforms," Nuti said.

"Additionally, software revenues continue to grow, evidenced by a 35 percent increase year-over-year. These factors, combined with our global leadership in financial self-service and a focus on good business execution and continued innovation, strengthen our ability to drive results and ensure that our solutions are at the forefront of our customers' businesses."

HIGHLIGHTS

Retail solutions

NCR completed its acquisition of Retalix, a provider of retail software and services. The addition of Retalix is consistent with NCR's ongoing transformation to a software and services driven, hardware-enabled business model.

NCR continued to advance NCR Silver, its tablet and mobile-based point-of-sale system for small businesses. Cellairis, a franchised mobile device accessory company, will deploy NCR Silver at more than 600 of locations. A new social media integration feature lets business owners engage in email and Facebok marketing campaigns.

NCR Silver joined forces with Elavon, a global payments provider, expanding NCR's distribution network. NCR Silver is now available through Elavon's sales channels.

NCR reached a multi-year agreement to provide retail technology and services to the Modell's Sporting Goods chain. Modell's will deploy 1,000 NCR RealPOS 82XRT POS terminals across 154 locations.

DSW Inc., a footwear and accessories retailer, agreed to expand its use of NCR Advanced Store POS software to offer mobile POS functionality. DSW employees will have the ability to bring POS enabled tablets onto the store floor to assist customers.

Woodman's Food Markets launched NCR Mobile Shopper at its location in Madison, Wis. Mobile Shopper lets customers use their smartphones to scan items in the aisles as they shop and then scan a QR code on their phones to transfer the data to a self-checkout station and complete their transaction. Woodman's is exploring deploying Mobile Shopper at its other 13 locations in Wisconsin and Illinois.

NCR recently launched NCR Mobile POS Optimization Consulting Services to help retailers devise and implement mobile POS strategies that address consumer preferences and improve business results. 

Hospitality

NCR announced a partnership with PayPal Inc. spanning its retail and hospitality verticals. NCR mobile solutions for hospitality and retail verticals will integrated with PayPal digital payment technology. 

NCR also introduced NCR Aloha Mobile, an extension of the NCR Aloha Table Service POS software. Aloha Mobile software lets restaurants deploy mobile technology for tableside ordering and payment.

Cheddar's Casual Café, a nationwide chain, will deploy NCR hardware and Aloha software at its existing and new company restaurants during 2013. NCR technology will help Cheddar's track and direct labor, streamline the on-boarding of new hires and improve its loss prevention program.

PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C., deployed a turnkey NCR Vitalcast digital signage solution encompassing 160 LCD displays and professional design services. The venue will use NCR Vitalcast digital signage and design services to offer advertising services to regional businesses, accommodate more sponsors at events, and optimize concession operations by displaying new menus.

Emerging industries

NCR continued to advance its self-service technologies for the travel industry, securing multiple deployments of its TouchPort self-check-in kiosks. NCR will provide the kiosks to Ordos Ejin Horo Airport in China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region through a partnership with Beijing Sinonet Technology Co. Ltd. The kiosks will run on a common use self-service platform to allow self-check-in for all airlines that operate at the airport. NCR also will provide maintenance services for the kiosks.

NCR TouchPort kiosks have also been deployed in partnership with AviancaTaca, a leading Latin American airline. 

NCR mobile boarding pass technology delivered a record 3 million electronic boarding passes in March. NCR Mobile Pass sends a 2D bar code to a mobile device, allowing passengers to check in remotely and go directly to airport security checkpoints when they arrive at the airport.

Financial services

The State Bank of India will deploy 600 NCR SelfServ 32 Intelligent Cash Deposit ATMs across India in the country's largest-ever order for cash deposit ATMs. By deploying NCR SelfServ intelligent deposit ATMs.

NCR acquired video banking software provider uGenius Technology, a move expected to further the growth of the APTRA Interactive Teller solution and allow NCR to expand the delivery of video banking to multi-channel solutions across its industry verticals.

According to the newly published research report "Multivendor Software 2013," by RBR, NCR has maintained its leadership position as the world's largest supplier of multi-vendor ATM middleware and applications. 

CRM Magazine recognized NCR with a Rising Star award for the company's innovative solutions that address the changing nature of business and customer interactions and transactions. 

Read more about manufacturers. 

About Suzanne Cluckey

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Suzanne’s editorial career has spanned three decades and encompassed all B2B and B2C communications formats. Her award-winning work has appeared in trade and consumer media in the United States and internationally.