SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES SPECTRUM24 NETWORK SELECTED BY PAYLESS CASHWAYS; Retail Chain "Cuts Cash Register Wires" With High-Performance Wireless Network

Business Wire, May 14, 1996

HOLTSVILLE, N.Y., May 14, 1996--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Symbol Technologies Inc. (NYSE:SBL), the world leader in bar code-driven data transaction systems, today announced that it is providing its high-performance Spectrum24 local area network to Payless Cashways for wireless point of sale at its 200-store chain throughout the U.S.

Payless, a leading do-it-yourself retailer based in Kansas City, Mo., is incorporating the Symbol Spectrum24 PC Card in its point-of-sale (POS) cash register terminals. This allows the POS terminals to communicate to the in-store host computer price-lookup file over the Spectrum24 network; in traditional store configurations, POS terminals are wired to the computer.

There are 16-22 POS registers in Payless stores, which sells building materials and supplies under the regional store names of Knox Lumber, Hugh M. Woods, Somerville Lumber, Furrow and Lumberjack.

"The Spectrum24 network brings efficiencies, flexibility and benefits which net out to increased customer service," said John Anheier, director, information services, Payless Cashways. "Because the POS terminals are not wired, we can configure them to take advantage of seasonal and sidewalk sales or position the registers in remote locations, like our lumberyard. The point is we can quickly respond to customer need."

Spectrum24, Symbol's next-generation wireless network, provides reliable high data throughput and excellent immunity to interference through its frequency-hopping technology. It is designed to comply with forthcoming IEEE 802.11 open-systems standards which will be the foundation of industry-standard wireless interoperability.

Based on a bridge architecture, Spectrum24 operates in the 2.4GHz band worldwide and provides transparent connection to an Ethernet LAN through multiple access points. It operates as a full cellular network, supporting seamless, instantaneous roaming while providing the highest data throughput of any frequency hopping spread spectrum system.

"The Symbol Spectrum24 network is ideal for applications like wireless point of sale where fast and reliable transmissions of data are essential," said Tomo Razmilovic, president and chief operating officer, Symbol Technologies. "At Payless, the technology nets out to enhanced customer service."

Customer information is available from Symbol Technologies at 1-800-SCAN-234 and at www.symbol.com.

Symbol Technologies is the world leader in bar code-driven data transaction systems with more than 3.5 million scanners and hand-held computers installed. The company designs, manufactures and markets bar code reading equipment, application-specific hand-held computers and radio frequency data communications products that are used as strategic building blocks in solutions in retail, package and parcel delivery, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, health care and other industries.

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Photographs available upon request.

CONTACT: For press information:

Doug Picker, Nancy Tully Beth Kitchener, Norman Birnbach

Symbol Technologies Brodeur & Partners

516-738-4699 617-622-2800

For financial information:

Mike Archambault

Symbol Technologies

516-738-4632