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Technology Stocks : Optimal Robotics Corp. (OPMR) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Thean who wrote (155)	2/14/2000 9:12:00 AM
From: J_W	Respond to of 325

Optimal Robotics Expands Self-Checkout Beyond Express Lane -- Stand-Alone Unit Brings Self-Checkout to Retailers Short on Space, Long on Lines -- MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 14, 2000-- -- High Capacity System Accommodates Large Order Shoppers -- Optimal Robotics Corp. (NASDAQ: OPMR - news) has solidified its leadership in self-checkout technology today by unveiling two new systems that extend the application of self-checkout to virtually any retail checklane. The new products --U-Scan Solo and U-Scan Carousel - are extensions of Optimal's innovative and widely used U-Scan Express© self-checkout system that enables shoppers to scan, bag and pay for their express lane purchases with limited or no assistance from store personnel. The U-Scan Solo is a free standing self-checkout system that will be marketed to drugstores and similar sized retailers. U-Scan Solo will allow busy shoppers to immediately purchase items at remote checkout posts throughout the store, such as at the deli counter of a supermarket or the garden department of a home center. The compact system is also well suited for smaller retail outlets that are short on space, but want to offer their customers a self-checkout option. The U-Scan Carousel, a larger capacity system, extends self-checkout beyond the grocery express lane by accommodating shoppers making large order purchases. ``Optimal's family of U-Scan products now makes self-checkout viable for all types of retailers and consumers,' said Henry Karp, Optimal's president and chief operating officer. ``These new systems were developed in direct response to what our retail customers say they need: self-checkout for every size transaction.' Both systems will be on display for the first time at Optimal Robotics' booth (No. 1220) at the Food Marketing Institute's Marketechnics 2000 Show, February 20-22, at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, California. U-Scan Solo The U-Scan Solo is an ideal self-checkout solution for a broad range of retailers, including large supermarkets, drugstores and home centers with multiple departments, as well as smaller stores that have limited space. U-Scan Solo is designed to minimize checkout lines at the front of the store and to speed the checkout process for consumers who are making small purchases and want to get in and out of the store quickly. U-Scan Carousel The U-Scan Carousel is an expanded version of the U-Scan Express that accommodates shoppers making large order purchases. The new system will feature six bagging racks uniquely placed on a circular or ``carousel' platform making self-checkout easily for large order shoppers while occupying the same amount of space as a U-Scan Express system. Optimal has commitments from major retailers to begin testing both systems in stores across the U.S. this summer. ``Both the U-Scan Solo and U-Scan Carousel are the direct result of input from retailers who collaborated with us to design systems that work best for them and their customers,' Karp said. ``These two new systems are ideally timed for retailers who are trying to improve front-end service at a time when the labor market is very tight.' Like the U-Scan Express, both new U-Scan systems will accept cash, coins, credit cards and debit cards, and feature touch-screen monitors and voice prompts to guide shoppers through the transaction process. The systems will also come equipped with built-in security controls, including video cameras and bagging platforms that recognize the weight of each scanned item within 1/100th of a pound.

To: Thean who wrote (155)	2/14/2000 9:22:00 AM
From: J_W	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 325

Thean, I pretty much agree with your assessment. I think we will hit the high end of the range with the Food Marketing show coming up next week and the introduction of U-Scan Solo and Carousel. However I think they will report higher than expected expenses for the past quarter as well as project higher expenses for the next two or three quarters. This will be due to the startup of their manufacturing plant as well as the development of the new U-Scan products. Long term I think they are and will continue to be a great investment. Jim