In a recent development, Spinnaker Software concluded a deal with Ultra Liquors to convert all their stores nationally from the current retail management software to Arch Retail Systems. It involves 58 stores, comprising both corporate and franchise operations.

The full suite of Arch products will be implemented: Arch Retail (in-store solution), Arch Value Add's at POS (integrated airtime, EFT & loyalty system) and Arch Enterprise (centralised Head Office merchandise management system). The first site to be successfully converted was the Wynberg store (Cape Town), just up the road from Ultra Liquors Head Office. To date another 6 stores have followed in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga. The deadline is to have all stores converted by end-September to ensure operational efficiency when the festive season arrives.

Craig Robinson, Joint-CEO of Ultra Liquors Group said: "We are looking forward to this new chapter for the group, where the main aim with converting to Arch is to have a standard solution in all operations, most importantly linking into Arch Enterprise as a central management tool – the operation has grown to a level now where quick and accurate operational information is critical and needs to flow to-and-fro between Head Office and the stores"

David Geldenhuys, Marketing Executive Officer at Spinnaker Software, commented as follows: "We have Arch operational in a number of liquor groupings countrywide linked to larger holding companies, the likes of OK Liquor, Rhino Liquor, Jumbo Liquor and President Liquor. Ultra is our first independent national liquor chain, something we are very proud of and which provides us with impetus in our drive to further improve our product offering to the liquor trade".