Linux Success Stories Will Be Presented at the Linux in Retail Symposium

NEWTON, Mass., BUSINESS WIRE -- Retail Systems Alert Group, organizers of the annual Retail Systems(R) Conference & Exposition, announced that Linux in Retail case studies will be presented by retail experts from Novell and IBM at the Linux in Retail Symposium on Sunday, May 21st as part of the annual Retail Systems Conference, held May 21-24, 2006 at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL, USA.

The Opening Keynote Lecture will be given by Brian Kilcourse, Chief Strategist, Retail Systems Alert Group. As the former CIO of a West Coast Retailer, Brian orchestrated the implementation of a comprehensive IT infrastructure based on industry ''open system'' standards, which resulted in the company's IT organization to be ranked at #9 in the InformationWeek 500 Survey.

Attendees will learn the nuts and bolts of the Retail Linux environment from the POS to the In-Store Server to the Data Center. Several multi-channel retailer case studies from the grocery, electronics, and consumer goods sectors will be presented by Novell and IBM Retail Linux experts. They will discuss the retailers' business needs, pain points and requirements, how they solved problems with a Linux solution, the costs of not solving their particular problems and the research and process followed to come to a solution. Attendees will have the chance to discuss their specific business needs and gain advice and counsel from these Linux Retail experts.

''Because of the growing importance of Linux-based solutions in the business world,'' commented Eric Olson, conference chair, Retail Systems Alert Group. ''We felt it was important to incorporate additional educational opportunities for retailers who could benefit from these solutions. We have worked with Novell and IBM to create these programs in order to provide executives with practical information regarding Linux Solutions in the retail industry.''

The Linux in Retail Symposium on May 21, 2006, is free (compliments of Novell) and includes lunch. Retailers must register to attend. For more information or to register please visit www.retailsystems.com/retailsystems2006

Retail Systems 2006 is the only event of the year that brings together all segments of the Extended Retail Industry to discuss internal and external IT and business process issues. The Retail Systems 2006 Conference & Exposition is co-located with three other conferences - MIX Summit, Retail Data Security Forum and the Value Chain Vision conference. Attendees from the Value Chain Vision Conference will also have access to all Retail Systems conference sessions.

Retail Systems 2006 offers four days of educational and networking opportunities for all professionals in the Extended Retail Industry. Education begins in the session rooms and carries throughout the show, including on the show floor with presentations in theatres and scheduled meetings with potential business partners.

The Retail Systems 2006 Conference & Exposition is organized by Retail Systems Alert Group. is the leading provider of objective, high quality information resources for the Extended Retail Industry (ERI). The company follows the advancements of technology and business process innovation in this industry, and delivers insights and analysis through high-value conferences and tradeshows, publications, research, training and web-based services. For more information, please visit www.retailsystems.com. Retail Systems Alert Group is a trade name of Retail Systems B2B LLC., a Proximus B2B LLC company which is part of Alta communications.