Star Micronics America Announces Printer Compatibility With Microsoft Windows

Star Micronics America announces today at the Retail Systems Conference, its TSP700 high-speed POS printer has passed verification for Windows Embedded for Point of Service, a standard software platform that simplifies the setup, deployment and management of point-of-service systems. Microsoft's new retail-optimized platform launched today at Retail Systems.

In addition to the TSP700, Star's full line of POS printers (SP500, TSP600, 700, 800, 1000, TUP900) will soon follow in the verification process. Star's line of POS printers, with their high-speed printing, small footprint and ease of operation are perfect complements to Windows Embedded for Point of Service and create a solution that brings performance advantages to a wide range of applications in hospitality restaurants and kiosk systems.

"Star Micronics has always played an innovative role in the printer industry. Our participation in the launch of Windows Embedded for Point of Service is the most recent example of that role," said Michael Hanson, vice president of Star Micronics America. "It is a truly innovative platform that brings a number of advantages to POS systems; including simplifying the setup, deployment and management. We believe Star's line of receipt printers are an ideal complement to Windows Embedded for Point of Service as the printers bring additional benefits to point of sale applications."

"The Star Micronics TSP700 printer provides our mutual customers with an integrated solution for their point-of-service systems. The new plug-and-play feature helps ensure the printer will be installed easily, so retailers can save time," said Jane Gilson, director or marketing for the Mobile and Embedded Devices Division at Microsoft Corp. "Close collaboration with our industry partners, such as Star Micronics, enable us to provide our mutual customers with solutions for Windows Embedded for Point of Service that will complement the ease of use, setup and management of point of service systems as well as lower overall life-cycle costs."

The TSP700 is the first Star Micronics' printer to be verified for the Windows Embedded for Point of Service software platform and is expected to be quickly followed by the TSP800, TSP600, TUP900, TSP1000 and SP500. By being compatible with Windows Embedded for Point of Service, the TSP700 can now be used in conjunction with a number of new benefits created by the Windows Embedded for Point of Service software platform. These include:

• Low lifecycle costs. Windows Embedded for Point Service is a standard software platform that uses familiar deployment technologies and support for management technologies such as Software Update Services (SUS) 2.0, and Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003. This reduces development, deployment, servicing and support costs through the lifecycle of the POS system.
• Easy to setup, use and manage: Simple set-up, use and management of point of service solutions are featured. Plug-and-Play functionality, the most requested feature by retailers using any platform, easily integrates and manages retail peripherals. Additionally, stronger default security settings and tools increase network protection to enable a more secure experience on POS systems.

Windows Embedded for Point of Service drivers, for Star printers, are available for download at www.starmicronics.com/printers/printers_pages/support/drivers.html.

Star's line of printers offers a number of advantages in POS applications. Including print speeds of up to 60 lines/sec (180mm/sec) and the ability to print barcodes very quickly. Print resolution is 203 dpi. An AutoLogo™ Printing (ALP) feature allows documents to be printed with a company logo and/or slogan. The ALP is complemented by a logo store utility so that coupons and graphics can be stored directly in the TSP700 or on the computer memory. Extremely versatile, Star's line of thermal printers can print reports, receipts, tickets and barcodes, hold large capacity rolls, forms, and security applications. The printers can be designed with one of several interfaces, such as USB, Ethernet, Parallel, RS232C and Wi-Fi (802.11b).

About Star Micronics
Star Micronics America, Inc., is a subsidiary of Star Micronics Company Ltd., a world-leading producer of small printers, audio components, high-precision machine tools, and precision parts. For more information, visit www.starmicronics.com or call 800-STAR-OEM x109; fax: (732) 623-5590.