SASI again wins Microsoft award for POS excellence — Retail Application Developer Award for SASI eXPERIENCE System

Business Wire, May 21, 1997

BRISTOL, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 21, 1997--For the second year in a row, Stores Automated Systems Inc., (SASI), has been selected as a winner of the Microsoft(R) Retail Application Developer Award (R.A.D.) for POS technology.

SASI's eXPERIENCE(TM) System is the industry's first multi-media, open architecture point-of-sale system used by a wide variety of retailers including supermarket, drug and auto aftermarket chains, as well as general merchandisers/category killers.

SASI delivers innovative solutions to retail chains with the eXPERIENCE(TM) POS System, eXPRESS(TM) Self-Checkout System and Targeted Loyalty and Marketing solutions.

The R.A.D. Award, presented to SASI in Chicago, (May 20, 1997) recognizes retail application developers who best utilize Microsoft technology while offering outstanding business benefits.

The award recognizes SASI's eXPERIENCE, the innovative POS system whose dual computer monitors display color graphics, full-motion video and voice technology, taking advantage of the latest most powerful PC technology available. eXPERIENCE is installed in well over 1,000 sites in North America, making the point-of-sale a profit center for retailers while improving operational efficiency.

"Once again we are honored to have been chosen for this industry distinction and recognized for our innovations," said Jeffrey Knapp, executive vice president. "We look forward to a continued long-standing relationship with Microsoft."

"The Microsoft Windows(R) platform provides an abundance of powerful tools on top of an easy-to-use graphical environment," said Jon Hayward, SASI's vice president/chief engineer. "We used our industry expertise along with those tools to develop and design a flexible, user-friendly product for retail point-of-sale."

The winning SASI eXPERIENCE System, based on Microsoft(R) Windows NT(R) Server and FoxPro(R), is distinguished by eX-ACT (eXPERIENCE Application Customization Tools). These graphical rapid application development tools dramatically reduce the time and cost to retailers when implementing system customization, changes or enhancements.

"Microsoft is committed to working with specialists in the retail industry such as Stores Automated Systems Inc. (SASI), a key solution provider," said Judy Dulcich, retail industry marketing manager at Microsoft. "The SASI eXPERIENCE System, built on Windows NT, is a great example of a multi-media, open architecture POS that allows the retailer to take advantage of some of the newest innovations in retail technology today."

SASI established in 1984 and headquartered in Bristol, is a leader in providing innovative retail system solutions and integrated PC-based POS systems to major retailers, including leading supermarket/hypermarket, convenience, drug, general retail and automotive aftermarket chains.

There are more than 7,500 locations and more than 35,000 POS systems installed throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Philippines, Central America and the Caribbean. -0- Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT and FoxPro are either registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

CONTACT: Mitnick Public Relations

Diane Mitnick, 215/830-9958

or

Stores Automated Systems Inc.

Lynnette Grande, 215/785-4321