Borders UK is planning to sign up for Itim’s Retail Suite of integrated software before the end of April.

Once the full contracts are signed, the system will be implemented by the end of the year, as Borders separates its operation from previous US owner Borders Group International.

Itim released the first fully integrated version of its software recently, which is designed to run an entire retail business. It will provide Borders with store systems, as well as merchandising and merchandise planning and finance and management information applications.

The suite can be implemented via a hosted, subscription-based model, meaning Borders will not have to incur the normal capital costs in order to replace its existing systems.

All of the applications are delivered through a web browser, meaning that they can be made available wherever a user has an internet connection.

In November last year, Borders announced that it would relaunch its web site in the first quarter of 2008, also on a hosted platform from Tangent. The site has yet to launch.

Borders UK chief information officer Simon Thomas said that the Itim suite is the right fit for the business. “After an extensive review of potential solutions and services, we’re looking forward to working with Itim on an exclusive basis. It demonstrates a strong understanding of our needs and has proven its ability to deliver a fantastic solution.”

Thomas has experience of working with software that is delivered as a service by a third party. In his previous role at Thresher Group, he oversaw the successful adoption of a hosted EPoS system, which supported the development of its franchise business.