This article describes how the Scandinavian network communication system DATEX was used to build an online infrastructure in a retail chain of privately owned hardware shops and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) centers. The solution gave the staff in the shops the possibility to use EDP as early as in 1983. The Internet did not exist at the time. EDP was not part of the daily work in the shop and was for most employees something unknown that took place at the headquarters The DATEX solution made it possible for shop assistants to do online order entry which gave the store employees knowledge of EDP. Delivery time became available to customers, when an item was sold out. Price calculations were available online, and the distribution center got an online communication system to all the shops. End users were involved in the development process already from the beginning, one of the main reasons for the success. Companies in the hardware and Do-It-Yourself businesses merged during the 1980s. Communications system played an important role when decision about the administrative solution was taken. The solution has been developed much through the years and is still being used. The Internet is the current communication system and the application programs are based on a web platform.
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