Pervasive Retailing Tools
The Fujitsu Pervasive Retailing Tools (PRTs) include the software tools and services elements of the PRF for use with store system software other than GlobalSTORE. Each of the components of the Pervasive Retailing Framework, are available discretely. This enables retailers to quickly extend and integrate a wide range of applications – from Fujitsu and others – across multi-vendor retail technology environments. This same toolkit can be used to extend the life of legacy store systems by adding new functionality with less risk and at a much lower cost.
PRTs include the software to support a SOA along with other tools to aid the development, and/or integration of both existing and new functions in the store and across the chain. The tools include the messaging infrastructure to enable the intercommunicating clients and services to be readily deployed, changed or involved in interoperation with other applications.
The Pervasive Retailing Tools include:
- PRT Message – The fundamental building block of Service Oriented Architectures (SOAs) is the messaging infrastructure that relays all the data between logical components that provide services and perform work within applications. The message bus is a collection of proxies for connecting to remote or local services, such as:
- TCP/IP endpoints
- Web Services (SOAP/WSDL)
- XML Messaging
- Custom network services
- Message queuing
- Enterprise business logic invocation
- UI Controls
- PRT Graphical Use Interface device engine (GUIde) – A service which serializes the UI events and controls the display changes. The separation of this unique pre-built component reduces time and increases speed to implement new hardware components and can be implemented on multiple platforms extending the life of older hardware components.
- PRT GUI Server – A generic service that controls the data of what is displayed. It is a set of data elements in XML of forms and graphics. This component also contains tools and templates for changing the look and feel of screens.
- PRT Workflow – A generic engine that controls the application flow. It manages both external links to web sites and application services that are available and drives unlimited ‘user exists’ to obtain services anywhere within the enterprise.
- PRT Rules – A generic business logic service. Fujitsu has pre-populated a version for the PoS function. Application specific versions can be created. This pre-built component enables rapid changes to application flow to be made.
- PRT Enterprise Context – A generic service which resides at enterprise level and provides points of service with a real-time look-up capability.
- PRT Virtual Point-of-Sale (VPOS) – An abstraction layer between POS applications and other applications requiring POS data and data elements. The usage of VPOS can speed the implementation of Self-Checkout systems within store environments.
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