U.S. Embassy, Tallinn, March 23, 2011
In today's competitive retail market, every cost-saving innovation is welcome; all the better when that innovation enhances the interaction between sales staff and the customer.

The point-of-sale software developed by the Estonian company, Erply, does just this. It increases the positive contact between sales staff and customers and allows people interested in purchasing a product to electronically view accompanying products, read reviews, and even watch videos hosted on websites such as YouTube, before completing their purchase. The software also allows companies to replace expensive traditional cash registers with lower-cost tablet computers, and streamline their inventory and stock-checking procedures.

Ambassador Polt visited with Erply CEO and founder, Kristjan Hiiemaa, last year at the company's headquarters in Tallinn and was impressed with both the company's drive and innovative spirit. Erply's software has just launched in the U.S. and is well timed to coincide with the release of the iPad 2. Apple's iPad remains the most popular tablet PC in the world, and coupled with Erply's software we will certainly see more and more tablet PCs on sales' floors the world over.

Unfortunately, Estonian media reports suggest that iPad sales in Estonia have been rather modest. One local computer sales representative attributed this to the fact that, "[the original iPad] came to us at an inappropriate time, and now customers are already waiting for the new iPad."

Our Embassy remains committed to working with Apple and other hard and software producers, as well as digital content providers, to expand and accelerate their offerings in E-stonia.

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