Hypercom Announces New ICE-PAC Customization System to Help Merchants Increase Revenue and Brand Recognition

Business Wire, March 1, 1999

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 1, 1999--

ICE-PAC Helps Merchants Add 'Personal Touch' to Electronic

Transaction Processing

Hypercom Corporation (NYSE:HYC) today announced the ICE-PAC(TM) Customization System, a new graphics printer and display screen customization system enhancement to the Hypercom(R) popular Interactive Customer Environment (ICE) family of products. The new Hypercom ICE-PAC Customization System is designed for merchants, processors and merchant acquirers that want to create custom promotions on their ICE 5000 systems. The new system was demonstrated for the first time at Food Marketing Institute's MARKETECHNICS '99 held this past weekend in New Orleans.

ICE-PAC system options include custom logo generation on the receipt and idle-prompt display; the ability to display custom advertising at various points during a transaction; and a new systemwide mail generation feature for quick sending of messages to all terminals in a predefined group. Hypercom's portable, user-friendly, touch-screen, point-of-sale (POS) ICE terminals support traditional credit and debit functions, smart cards and a range of new value-added transactions, including loyalty programs.

"ICE-PAC helps merchants, processors and merchant acquirers take full advantage of the graphical display available on the Hypercom ICE 5000 terminal to create revenue and build brand recognition," said George Wallner, chairman and chief technologist. "For example, while a financial transaction is being sent, a screen displaying information about a sale in the store could be presented. When the transaction is complete, additional information about the sale could be displayed. The merchant also has the option of printing a logo on the customer's receipt."

"By advertising company logos and other targeted messages, merchants can use what would be idle time on the terminal to communicate with their customers," said Wallner. "ICE's user-friendly interface is ideal for merchants and processors interested in customizing their customer interactions without a huge investment."

The ICE-PAC system can be used by processors to build screens and screen sets for their merchants, or processors may give their merchants this capability. For example, users can deploy the same advertising screens across some or all stores in an enterprise. The mail feature can also be used to send internal messages, such as informing some or all stores of upcoming training or sales programs, to users' remote staff. When the ICE-PAC system is coupled with Hypercom's Ascendent(TM) transaction software, the screen can also be used as a signature capture pad or to support loyalty programs.

The ICE 5000 POS terminal incorporates a high-speed thermal printer and paper cutter, and Hypercom's new FastPOS 9600 bits per second (bps) modem. Payments are processed by the user, who simply selects the transaction type on the ICE 5000's graphic touch screen, swipes the payment card, enters the amount, then enters a PIN number or signs on the screen graphic using a plastic stylus. The integral printer reduces the terminal's footprint, and, receipt printing averages a fast six lines per second. The automatic paper cutter eliminates paper tears, reducing paper jams and significantly increasing printer life.

Both the ICE 5000 and ICE-PAC systems are available now through a Hypercom sales representative.

Hypercom Corporation (NYSE:HYC) is a global provider of electronic payment solutions, including multi-functional point-of-sale terminals, peripherals, network products, Ascendent payment and transaction software and Internet-based and electronic commerce payment solutions. On a global basis Hypercom delivers the services and technology infrastructure required to quickly integrate and deploy new payment applications. These applications provide competitive value-add programs, improved business performance and low total cost of ownership.

Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Hypercom markets its products in more than 60 countries through a global network of offices and affiliates in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Hungary, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Venezuela. Hypercom's Internet address is www.hypercom.com.

Note to Editors: Hypercom is a registered trademark of Hypercom Corporation. Ascendent is a trademark of Hypercom Corporation. All other products or services mentioned in this document are trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks or registered service marks of their respective owners.

Certain matters discussed within this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although management of Hypercom believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include industry, competitive and technological changes; risks associated with international operations and foreign currency fluctuations; the composition, timing and size of orders from and shipments to major customers; inventory obsolescence; market acceptance of new products and other risks detailed from time to time in Hypercom's SEC reports, including the company's 10-K dated September 28, 1998.