RDS stands for Ryutsu POS Database Service, and the Japanese language term "Ryutsu" collectively refers here to manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. In 1985, when POS systems were just coming into use in Japan, we conducted pilots on the development and operation of the RDS, aiming at establishing market research services through the use of POS data.
RDS is now in operation as an infrastructure POS database service available at low cost and it is widely used by retail and wholesale industries as well as by local and small-scale manufacturers.
This information can be also utilized as effective tools by wholesalers to provide retailers with welldeveloped support, such as proposals for selection of product lines targeted to market trends, and by product manufacturers for product development as well as planning and reviewing sales strategies.

Fig.6.2-1 RDS System

For its member retailers, RDS provided data in a file format that compared members' product prices and sales volumes with those of other stores. In 2005, RDS was upgraded to the Web-based POS Data Analysis Service, which offers the results of POS data analysis via the Internet (see section 5.1).
The primary feature of the new service is that anyone can easily compare and analyze one's own POS data (sales status) with data from other stores. This function allows users to readily find missing items in product lines or pricing errors, which their individual POS data would not reveal (see Fig 6.2-2).

Additionally, RDS data has recently been used by some Japanese universities as basic data for economic analysis.

Fig.6.2-2 Web Image of Ryutu POS Database Service