STAR MICRONICS TO CAPTURE NEW MARKETS WITH NEW REWRITABLE CARD COMPONENT

Leading POS solutions manufacturer, Star Micronics, announced today the launch of a new low cost, ‘communicating’ rewritable card unit offering the further versatility of working with other component peripherals including proximity RF/ID, magnetic stripe, IC chip or barcode reader/writers.

Called the MRS100, the new visual card system uses ISO standard cards, but with a special Ricoh or Mitsubishi coating to enable text or graphics to be re-written to the card up to 500 times. Its re-usability makes it ideal across a diversity of applications, including visitor/employee access and security ID, travel tickets and transportation tracking, loyalty schemes and club memberships, as well as electronic wallets.

Capable of writing text or detailed graphics (e.g. portrait photograph) to the blue or black cards in seven and 45 seconds respectively, the MRS100 is palm-sized in design and affords both front and rear card entry and ejection, depending on the process requirements. Typical applications foreseen for the MRS100 by Star Micronics are outlined as:

Visitor Access/Security
The MRS100 cards can be re-used for visitors with updated information on ID, dates and access areas whilst employee cards can have single colour photographs printed within 45 seconds complete with necessary security information, the details of which can be re-written at any time.

Travel/Transportation
Compatible with proximity RF/ID technology found in automated barriers, the MRS100 system provides a reliable alternative to paper-based card systems on trains,

buses, airplanes or leisure complexes such as holiday and ski resorts, providing the additional benefits of card longevity and the ability to re-write messages to the card, particular to its carrier. A single colour photograph can also be included for ID.

Loyalty
Rewritable at POS, the MRS100 cards can be updated instantly to display a long-term legible message providing details of the customers’ account, number of points accrued, special offers, etc. emphasising its use as a valuable marketing tool in addition to that of a loyalty card.

Club Membership
In addition to providing ID, with or without photograph, the MRS100’s rewritable feature can be used to communicate sales promotions, to display court or class bookings; and can be used in conjunction with either a magnetic stripe or barcode reader to provide access or vouchers for bars, shops and restaurants. IC chip or proximity RF/ID versions also provide for an electronic wallet function.

Based on Leuco technology using a motorised 760 micron card reader/writer with standard TTL serial interface, the new MRS100 is available via Star Micronics’ international distribution network with immediate effect.

Background Information on Star Micronics
Founded in 1947, Star Micronics is one of the world's largest printer manufacturers and has facilities for worldwide production, marketing and support. Employing over 2500 staff and achieving turnover in excess of £250 million, Star Micronics has developed a POS printer portfolio that spans thermal and dot matrix printers and mechanisms, designed for barcode, ticketing, receipts and labelling. Star's proven technology is also being utilised to develop reader/writer systems for visual/smart and magnetic stripe cards and to install print mechanisms in multimedia kiosk environments. The Star Micronics' range is available internationally via a distribution channel comprising distributors and dealers.

For further information contact:

Annette Tarlton or Claire Smith
Star Micronics EMEA
Tel: + 44 (0) 1494 471111
Email: Marketing@Star-EMEA.com