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To: J_W who wrote (157)	2/16/2000 2:12:00 PM
From: J_W	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 325

World's First 'Convertible' Self-Checkout Heads Family of Innovative Systems from NCR Revolutionizing Self-Service with Advanced Flexibility, NCR Systems Make Self-Checkout Feasible for More Retailers ATLANTA, Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Extending its presence in the retail self-service market, NCR Corporation has unveiled a family of new self- checkout solutions, including the world's first ``convertible' model that transforms quickly from self-service to a high-volume, cashier-assisted checkout. ``'Revolutionary' is the word used most often by retail executives who have previewed our new self-checkout solutions,' said Tracy Flynn, NCR vice president for Food Industry Marketing. ``We have addressed the key challenges faced by retailers around the world, including peaks and valleys in transaction volume that can occur throughout the day or week. Retailers no longer have to make a tradeoff between self-service and productivity.' In addition to the convertible NCR Self-Checkout C-Series, NCR also has introduced the NCR Self-Checkout E-Series-a small footprint unit with multiple configuration and payment options. The systems will debut at the Food Marketing Institute's MARKETECHNICS© 2000 event, February 20-22, in San Francisco. The innovative NCR self-checkout family incorporates new configuration options and unique features designed to make self-checkout feasible for more stores than ever before. Flynn added, ``NCR is committed to the self-checkout market and to meeting all the needs that retailers have at the point of service -- an area critical to building lasting relationships with consumers. With NCR's flexible new systems, greater numbers of retailers will be able to offer self-serve convenience for shoppers.' The new self-checkout systems leverage NCR's leadership in high performance scanning, self-service technology and point-of-service solutions. NCR's demonstrated industry leadership in self-checkout solutions earned the company a prestigious Retail Application Developer (RAD) Award from Microsoft© in 1999. ``Convertible' NCR Self-Checkout C-Series NCR developed the Self-Checkout C-Series for retailers who want to offer self-checkout to their customers but require a traditional lane to handle heavy volume at peak times. The convertible NCR Self-Checkout C-Series meets this need. With the unit in self-checkout mode, shoppers can scan, bag and pay for their purchases at the front end of the store without cashier assistance; but, when needed, the system can be transformed quickly to a high- volume, cashier-operated checkout lane. Compact, Modular NCR Self-Checkout E-Series NCR's Self-Checkout E-Series is just 28 inches wide and 88 inches long, making it the smallest-footprint system of its type. The new system also is designed to provide a low profile for easy visibility across the front of a store. The major components of the NCR Self-Checkout E-Series are modular and can be arranged in a variety of floor plans to fit a store's physical layout and operational preferences. The small size, modularity, and ``mirror' layout options allow for greater flexibility in store placement and future expansion of self-checkout. Ergonomic Design NCR's Human Factors engineering organization helped assure the NCR family of self-checkout systems is ergonomically designed so all elements of self- checkout are intuitive to use and within easy reach of shoppers. The NCR self-checkout family is available with a choice of payment modes, including a debit/credit only configuration and an optional remote approval/pay station. The remote approval/pay station allows a cashier to monitor activity, assist in transactions and approve/accept additional forms of payment, such as checks or food stamps. Business Impact Modeling With NCR's Business Impact Modeling (BIM) services, retailers can judge which self-checkout systems -- C-Series, E-Series, or a combination -- and which options are most likely to maximize their front-end throughput and customer service. A BIM analysis is developed with data from retailers' actual operations, such as store traffic and transaction size. Using sophisticated predictive modeling tools, NCR and its customers are able to conduct ``what if' analyses and determine the best possible solution recommendations. Global Availability and Service Global store support services for NCR self-checkout solutions are available through NCR's responsive customer services team. NCR offers complete business solutions that include consulting, project management, customization, rollout management, and installation services as well as paper rolls and other supplies. The NCR Self-Checkout C-Series and E-Series will be available for general customer delivery beginning in the second quarter of 2000. Because of their modularity, NCR's new self-checkouts will be custom configured and priced for each retailer, with net customer selling price starting at under $20,000 for an entry-level E-Series system.