Symbol Technologies Introduces Next-Generation Omnidirectional Bar Code Scanner for Diverse Retail Applications; Fast and Compact LS 9208 Increases Productivity at Checkout

Business Wire, Jan 13, 2003

Business Editors

HOLTSVILLE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 13, 2003

Symbol Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: SBL), a global leader in enterprise mobility solutions, today introduced the Symbol LS 9208 omnidirectional bar code scanner for use in a broad range of retail applications and environments.

The Symbol LS 9208 is the next-generation of the popular Symbol LS 9100 and offers a new design and more robust feature set in an attractive, cost-effective solution. It is being introduced at the National Retail Federation Annual Convention and Exposition under way this week in New York City.

The LS 9208's innovative new rastering feature, provides the retail user with more aggressive scanning by dynamically moving the scan pattern eliminate scan pattern "holes" and quickly capturing bar code data no matter how the bar code is presented to the scanner. It allows the scanner to read highly truncated and poorly printed bar codes faster and more accurately, increasing operator efficiency and checkout speed.

"Our experience in retail scanning and the success of the LS 9100 led Symbol to develop a next-generation product that combines exceptional performance with outstanding value. It also has superior ergonomics and offers flexibility of use to enable speedier checkout to maximize customer service," said Joel Kahn, director of scanner products, Symbol Technologies.

The Symbol LS 9208 has an attractive new housing and easily adapts to any point-of-sale environment. Its small footprint design permits scanner to be placed anywhere on the countertop; it also can be picked up quickly for handheld use so if the item cannot be brought to the scanner, the scanner can be taken to the item. The optional hands-free, adjustable stand provides flexible mounting capabilities, increasing operator comfort and efficiency for all types of merchandise. A side-mounted trigger activates single-line scan mode, making it easily adaptable for reading bar code menus and pick lists.

The Symbol LS9208 is ideally suited for POS at all convenience, drug, department and specialty stores where high-productivity scanning is required and counter space is at a premium. The device is also suited for library, document tracking, backroom and many other countertop scanning applications.

With a scan pattern repetition rate of 1500 scans per second, the Symbol LS 9208 is 12 percent faster than its predecessor, the Symbol LS 9100. The LS 9208's processing speed is 7 1/2 times faster than that of the LS 9100, making it ideal for reading all 1D bar code types including reduced space symbologies (RSS). It offers multiple on-board interfaces including Universal Serial Bus, RS-232, IBM 46XX, Keyboard Wedge, Wand Emulation and Synapse(TM) smart cables.

The Symbol LS 9208 features an EAS checkpoint deactivation option that saves precious POS space by co-locating the deactivation antenna with the scanner. The LS 9208 works with Symbol Scan 1-2-3, a PC-based programming tool that simplifies scanner programming.

Symbol's press kit for NRF can be found online at www.symbol.com/presskits/.> About Symbol Technologies

Symbol Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:SBL), founded in 1975, is a global leader in secure mobile information systems that integrate application-specific hand-held computers with wireless networks for data and voice and bar code data capture. Symbol products and services increase productivity and reduce costs for the world's leading retailers, logistics and transportation companies, government agencies, manufacturers and providers of healthcare, hospitality and security. More information is available at www.symbol.com and 1-800-722-6234 or 631-738-2400.