NCR Fingerprint Recognition Solutions Help Address Security and Privacy Issues; Comprehensive Strategy Includes Consulting, Point-of-Sale, Self-Service, Software Integration and Strategic Alliances

Business Wire, Nov 29, 2005

ATLANTA -- NCR Corporation (NYSE:NCR) today unveiled its comprehensive strategy for helping retailers and consumers address information security and privacy issues through fingerprint recognition.

"We are seeing increased interest in fingerprint recognition as retailers, their employees and consumers learn more about the convenience and benefits offered by this technology," said NCR Vice President for Assisted Service Solutions Greg Egan. "With properly planned and managed deployments, retailers can expect measurable business improvements from employee-facing as well as consumer-facing applications."

Employee-facing uses of fingerprint recognition - including time and attendance, controlled access to point-of-sale (POS) systems and manager approvals or transaction overrides at the POS - offer revenue recovery and operational efficiency opportunities for retailers. For example, the cost of time and attendance inaccuracies, which can be reduced through the use of biometrics, has been estimated at between 1 percent and 8 percent of payroll.

Employee applications can also help stores smooth the way for consumer-facing solutions, such as biometric payment at the POS or self-checkout.

"In preparation for the rollout of biometrics technologies to consumers, retailers often first introduce associate-facing applications such as time and attendance to get employees used to this advanced technology," said Robert Garf in an Aug. 24, 2005, AMR Research Alert.

In addition to biometric payment, fingerprint recognition can improve other consumer-facing applications, such as age verification, payroll check-cashing or frequent shopper programs, in conjunction with assisted-service or self-service solutions.

NCR service and product offers

NCR's fingerprint recognition initiatives encompass consulting, point-of-sale (POS) and self-service solutions, software integration, deployment and support services, and a soon-to-be-announced alliance with a leading biometric payment service provider.

For retailers considering fingerprint recognition, NCR consultants deliver opportunity assessment, business impact modeling, user experience consulting and ergonomics services to help businesses define and develop solutions that meet their unique objectives.

NCR is making fingerprint readers available across its family of POS systems. Current offerings include the standalone NCR RealPOS(TM) Fingerprint Reader as well as readers incorporated into the NCR RealPOS Advanced Payment Terminal and the NCR RealPOS 70 touchscreen POS terminal.

Retailers implementing NCR's industry-leading self-service solutions can also use fingerprint recognition for consumer or employee identification. Fingerprint reader technology is available with the NCR EasyPoint(TM) kiosk and can be integrated with NCR FastLane(TM) self-checkout.

Retailers using NCR Advanced Checkout Solution (ACS) software and WinEPS electronic payments software from MTXEPS can offer their customers the convenience of biometric payment services. NCR also offers software development and integration services that help retailers fine-tune biometric-enabled solutions to meet their operational requirements.

NCR's Worldwide Customer Services teams offer efficient and worry-free deployment of biometric solutions, including staging and rollout management, as well as a full range of maintenance options.

About NCR Corporation

NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is a leading global technology company helping businesses build stronger relationships with their customers. NCR's Teradata(R) data warehouses and ATMs, retail systems and IT services provide Relationship Technology(TM) solutions that maximize the value of customer interactions and help organizations create a stronger competitive position. Based in Dayton, Ohio, NCR (www.ncr.com) employs approximately 28,500 people worldwide.

NCR, NCR EasyPoint, NCR FastLane, NCR RealPOS, NCR RealPrice, NCR RealScan, NCR RealSolutions and Teradata are trademarks or registered trademarks of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries.