POS Online has been designed jointly by Astron and the retail group and has just gone live.

Mitchell said it would save M&S "a huge amount in excess spend of promotional marketing material".

The M&S marketing team can log onto the system to access budget management reports, status of PoS material and chosen suppliers. Astron will also provide call centre support to M&S branches.

"Print management firms have come a long way since being seen as brokers," added Mitchell. "This is complete print management, including marketing campaigns, budgeting and support services related to print."

The system also allows print suppliers to put in quotes for jobs.

Bernard Fee, head of internal marketing at M&S, said: "We will reach our intended savings target by using the system to ensure more cost-effective production and distribution of PoS material. Account managers and store managers have the ability to influence their PoS needs."

The systems store profiling toll will also ensure that the correct quantities of graphics reach the right store, according to Mitchell.

The contract, which is worth an undisclosed sum, is for three years and involves all M&S in-store communications, including banners. It is Astrons first major deal with M&S, although it handled the firms Christmas distribution campaign from its Manchester warehouse, which included delivery of products to 307 addresses.

Astron will look to develop the system for other clients. New Look is the Huntingdon-based firms other major retail customer.

Following its merger with Tactica Solutions in December 2000, Astrons sales have broken through the 100m mark.

Story by Gordon Carson