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Calling All Customer Service Agents

A t a time when customer service seems to be in crisis mode, one company is looking at alternative solutions. Symbol Technologies Inc., winner of the National Medal of Technology and a leading provider of mobile data- transaction systems, has introduced the new Symbol MicroKiosk MK 1000, an automated self-service price verification and electronic merchandising terminal.

Suitable for virtually any retail environment, the MicroKiosk MK 1000 is a way to get prompt and accurate customer service when floor representatives are helping other customers or can't be found. What a concept - customer service without having to hunt down someone to provide the service!

Customers simply present an item for price verification to the MicroKiosk's integrated bar-code scanner and the MicroKiosk lists the most up-to-date information, including product description, price, recent price adjustments and special promotions, if applicable. The fixed-mount terminal can be placed in remote locations and in store aisles.

The functionality philosophy is simple: Customers benefit from access to current information without frustrating delays or item confusion while reducing the need for manual price checking by in-store personnel, thus making shopping a more satisfying experience. And as every good ISO knows, happy customers are repeat customers.

Other benefits include revenue-generating electronic merchandising by scrolling advertising and "on sale now" messages across the display for shoppers to easily see. In addition, in-store personnel can immediately access information such as inventory status, item locations and other information contained in the store mainframe. Symbol even offers replaceable placard space for additional stationary advertising and in- store messaging.

The MicroKiosk features the latest rotating omni-directional laser bar code scanning technology, 32-bit Motorola microprocessor, international language support and choice of host connectivity options, including Spectrum24 11 Mbps wireless LAN and hard-wired Ethernet support.

Four programmable function keys provide for additional customer-service interaction options, such as item location, stock check, in-store messaging, frequent shopper status and seasonal/clearance promotional messaging.

The MicroKiosk is software-programmable through Symbol's wireless network management system and may be programmed for more advanced applications, such as time and attendance, manager help/call button and area store locator. The MicroKiosk also will work with existing installations of Symbol PCK 9100s and their applications.

"The MicroKiosk is like having an automated electronic assistant in the aisles: Retailers can expect greater in-store productivity and efficiency with personnel attending to merchandise, displays and store management, while customers can experience the immediate gratification of getting the information they need when they want it," said Brian Viscount, Vice President, Scanner Product Marketing, Symbol Technologies.

For more information, visit www.symbol.com.