FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- KSS, a global supplier of pricing analytics, execution and optimization systems to the petroleum industry, has announced two new additions to its range of fuels pricing solutions, PriceNet Mobile and KSS Visualizer.
PriceNet Mobile, available as a standalone system or as an add-on for customers already using PriceNet, delivers real-time pricing via handheld mobile devices such as PDAs and Blackberrys. Field-based and remotely located personnel can enter competitor price surveys directly into PriceNet Mobile and immediately receive [image-nocss] new price proposals for authorization and subsequent implementation.
Users will also be able to review key performance measures and receive exception-based alerts; for example, volume running rate and margins below targets, no competitor survey for past X hours. PriceNet Mobile can minimize the delays in responding to market events or competitor price changes that can cost retailers in lost volume, margin or price image.
KSS Visualizer is a web-based data visualization tool intended to draw attention to significant changes in performance measures such as volume, running rates, margin or competitor price position at any level of business from individual grade/store to overall network. Using color to indicate deltas to user-configurable goals or measures, KSS Visualizer allows users to instantly identify issues demanding their attention without the need to analyze tables of numbers in spreadsheets or make sense of data coming from multiple data sources. Users can configure the tool to represent their network hierarchy and drill-down into the detail.
"These two new tools represent a major step forward in speed, mobility and flexible working that will ensure customers continue to meet their volume and margin objectives on a consistent basis while protecting price and brand image," said Bob Stein, CEO for Florham Park, N.J.-based KSS. "The ability to react faster to market volatility, continuously monitor key performance measures and identify business critical pricing issues are essential components of any pricing process."
KSS provides pricing analytics, price management, rules-based pricing and optimization technology and services to fuel retailers and wholesalers in the oil and gas, convenience store, grocery and big-box retail industries.
In other company news, Brookshire Brothers Grocery recently recognized KSS Retail as its Marketing Vendor of the Year. The retailer gives this award annually to its top vendor for outstanding contributions and positive impact on its business. Past winners have included Coca Cola, Miller Brewing, Frito Lay and Gatorade, and this is the first time the award has been presented to a technology company.
Brookshire Brothers uses the KSS Retail price optimization solution for regular and promotional pricing, and has been able to capture significant financial results. The retailer is headquartered in Lufkin, Texas, and it operates more than 70 stores throughout east Texas. Brookshire Brothers maintains its own distribution center and is also one of the leading retail distributors of Conoco-branded gasoline.
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