New "super ASIC" platform provides industry's fastest throughput; will be available as upgrade option for existing scanners
Extending its leadership of the stationary bar code scanner market, NCR Corporation (NYSE:NCR) today announced the NCR RealScan(TM) 7876 SA -- the first and only scanner capable of reading multiple bar codes simultaneously."The NCR RealScan 7876 SA will change retail point-of-sale scanning as we know it today," said Pierre Abboud, vice president and general manager, NCR RealScan. "Imagine the impact on checkout productivity when cashiers can scan more than one item at the same time."
Multi-item scanning is enabled through a combination of technologies, including NCR's PACESETTER 4D software powered by an NCR-developed super ASIC (SA) platform. The SA platform is built around a specially designed microchip -- an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) -- that delivers greater speed, additional memory and simple upgradeability. PACESETTER 4D software includes a new component that "tracks" the trajectory of a bar code through time and space above the scanner's windows.
In addition, the NCR RealScan 7876 SA processes more than 18,000 scan lines per second from all sides, which provides an even higher level of scanner performance.
"The technology advancements with this new scanner are truly amazing," Abboud added. "But the bottom line for retailers is the ability of the NCR RealScan 7876 SA to provide the industry's fastest throughput -- further improving customer service and operational efficiency."
NCR's scanner design team, including the company's Human Factors engineers, focused on assuring that the NCR RealScan 7876 SA is easy to learn and use. For example, a unique audio feedback system helps cashiers adapt to the scanner's ability to scan multiple items at once.
Scan Doctor, a self-diagnostics system with voice synthesis and multiple language capabilities, performs system health checks on the NCR RealScan 7876 SA. This feature alerts cashiers to problems and recommends remedies, such as cleaning under the scale.
As with other members of the NCR scanner family, the NCR RealScan 7876 SA reads reduced space symbology (RSS) bar codes. RSS is a new bar-code technology that can encode significant amounts of product information in a reduced amount of space. The NCR RealScan 7876 SA is also available with a built-in scale for weighing produce or other items sold by weight.
NCR will demonstrate the NCR RealScan 7876 SA to retailers at the Food Marketing Institute's annual technology convention, MARKETECHNICS(R), Feb. 23-25 in Dallas.
New technology available in other NCR scanners
While volume deliveries of the NCR RealScan 7876 SA are scheduled to begin in September, users of other NCR scanners can also enjoy many of its breakthrough advantages.
"An estimated 300,000 checkout lanes are already equipped with NCR's current generation of bi-optic scanners, and we believe it is important to help protect the investments made by so many retailers," Abboud said.
The SA hardware will be incorporated in production models of the NCR RealScan 7875 beginning in April, and will be included in NCR RealScan 7872 and single-window NCR scanners later this year.
In addition, the SA hardware is being offered as an upgrade for installed NCR RealScan 7875 and 7872 scanners - enabling current NCR customers to realize many of the advanced features of the NCR RealScan 7876 SA, but without purchasing a new scanner.
About NCR Corporation
NCR Corporation (NYSE:NCR) is a leading global technology company helping businesses build stronger relationships with their customers. NCR's ATMs, retail systems, Teradata(R) data warehouses and IT services provide Relationship Technology(TM) solutions that maximize the value of customer interactions. Based in Dayton, Ohio, NCR (www.ncr.com) employs approximately 30,100 people worldwide.
NCR, NCR EasyPoint, NCR FastLane, NCR RealPOS, NCR RealPrice, NCR RealScan, NCR RealSolutions and Teradata are trademarks or registered trademarks of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries.
NOTE TO EDITORS: A photo of the NCR RealScan 7876 SA is available in NCR's MARKETECHNICS digital press kit or from the contact at the bottom of this news release.
CONTACT: NCR Corporation
Robert (Kelly) Kramer, 770/623-7215
kelly.kramer@ncr.com
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