Boots plc and Granada Media partner with e-fulfilment specialist to fulfil on-line shopping orders 

London - 12 October 2000. E-fulfilment specialist, MetaPack, announces (today) that it has been chosen to set up and manage the on-line order fulfilment for Boots` new broadband alliance with Granada Media. The contract covers fulfilment of orders placed by shoppers on the internet and digital TV.

Granada Media and Boots will launch their internet and digital service in March 2001.

Richard Holmes, head of Boots internet ventures, said: "Of the many potential fulfilment partners that we looked at, MetaPack is the one we believe is best able to handle the responsibility and complexity of fulfilling on-line orders for one of the UK`s best known brands.

"MetaPack`s consumer focus, combined systems and operational capabilities and their commitment to delivery will help us achieve our ambitious goals for multi-channel shopping. We`re not in the business of disappointing our shoppers. We want to impress them with faultless delivery and excellent service."

Patrick Wall, MetaPack joint managing director and co-founder, said: "We`re about alleviating the headache caused by on-line fulfilment for high street retailers and their shoppers. At the moment, many people who shop on-line are disappointed. That can be changed by designing fulfilment solutions with the shopper in mind and by bringing the best technology and logistical operations together."

How MetaPack works
MetaPack specializes in designing, integrating and managing leading fulfilment solutions for e-tailers whose shoppers expect excellent service and value for money. Metapack integrates systems technology with logistical operations and works with best-in-class contact centre, carrier, technology and warehouse partners to provide the right solution for its clients.

MetaPack solution for Boots and Granada Media
MetaPack`s tailored fulfilment solution for Boots and Granada Media will ensure that shoppers have absolute certainty about product availability and delivery before and after they click the `buy` button. Shoppers will:
· have immediate access to the number of products available. To eliminate disappointment, products that are unavailable will be flagged as unavailable or taken off-line.
· receive confirmation (via email) of their order and delivery. They will know that their order has been received and when to expect delivery. 
· only be charged when their order is despatched.
· be able to select from a range of delivery options to suit them, at home or work.
· be able to check the progress of their order right up to the scheduled delivery time.
· be able to return products easily with collection from the home, or by putting in to the mail.
· be able to change their order easily up until the product is selected from stock.
· be able to personalise gifts.


Boots and Granada Media have given MetaPack responsibility for all aspects
of their fulfilment. This includes:
· reconfiguration of the pick and pack warehouse to handle on-line order volumes which, despite being hard to predict, must be handled faultlessly.
· application integration utilising Extricity, a leading business-to-business software platform provider. These systems include an order management system (OMS) developed by MetaPack, a warehouse management system (WMS) supplied by Manhattan Associates and the systems of MetaPack`s carrier partners. 
· linking of these systems to the web-site and customer care operation.
· selection and management of a range of parcel carriers for UK and overseas delivery. Business Express will provide a standard two day delivery service, ParcelForce Worldwide will provide a premium next day delivery service and cater for returns and some specific outbound services, Royal Mail will concentrate on small items of letterbox size and Securicor Omega Express will provide an evening service.

Growing company
MetaPack is currently 80-strong and plans to reach 100 employees by the end of the year. All employees come from leading organizations in their respective fields including IBM, ICL, ONDigital, Ryder, Exel, Proctor and Gamble, Andersen Consulting McKinsey and PWC. They share a passion for e-commerce and e-fulfilment.

-Ends-

For more information contact: 

MetaPack PR and Communications Manager, Juliet Earp, tel: 020 7843 9958,
email: juliet.earp@metapack.com .


Brainspark
David Hart, tel: 020 7843 6608