Sony Chooses USA Technologies' E-Port(TM) Cashless Payment System For Nationwide PictureStation(TM) Network
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MALVERN, Pa., Feb. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- USA Technologies (OTC Bulletin Board: USTT) is featured in a Sony Corporation (NYSE: SNE) press release announcing the launch nationwide of its new PictureStation(TM) photo-finishing systems. This system is wirelessly connected to USA Technologies network and enables consumers to have their digital photos printed and pay with a credit card. The following release was issued by Sony Corporation: Sony PictureStation System Helps Photo Buffs "Picture The Possibilities" With New Generation Software Retailers to Benefit from Customization Options and Increased Store Traffic PARK RIDGE, N.J., Feb. 11, 2004 - Providing enhancements that will offer retailers and consumers new possibilities in digital photo processing, Sony Electronics will now make a new next generation software standard on its PictureStation(TM) photo-finishing systems, along with new options in kiosk design. An array of features will translate into a system more customized to a retailer's particular environment, which can afford increased traffic and profits. These include wireless credit card capabilities, more choices in scalable kiosk designs, an interface on which customized promotional packages can be created, additional language options and a photo library feature. In turn, customers will enjoy such user-friendly enhancements as new text and border options, automatic color adjustment, re-touch features and faster printing. "We have always understood that not all retailers or locations have the same needs, the same type of store layouts or even the same types of customers," said Jay Dellostretto, vice president for digital imaging in Sony Electronics' Business Solutions Division. "These new PictureStation system features and scalable designs are a result of our ongoing communication with retailers." Combining quality pictures with user-friendliness, the PictureStation utilizes dye sublimation technology to bring out the full, rich depth of digital images. The print quality, along with system features like CD- burning, scanning capabilities and intuitive interface have been appreciated by retailers, beginning with Kinko's, which has installed more than 900 kiosks in its stores over the past year. "The flexibility of the Sony PictureStation has helped Kinko's deliver a high level of customer service and tailored solutions for our digital photofinishing customers," said Jeff Heyman, vice president of retail at Kinko's. "The new features represent even greater flexibility for the future, which is critical for Kinko's and our network of 1,200 locations." Instant Wireless Payment The addition of wireless credit card capabilities co-developed with USA Technologies provides the customer with the instant gratification of being able to obtain and pay for their prints without cash. And because it requires no phone lines or additional personnel, this service requires no extra effort from the retailer. Flexible, Scalable Designs With three new kiosk designs, retailers can select a look most desirable for their store environment. If they are facing space constraints, the store owner may select a tabletop version. New options in scalability mean that features like additional printers, scanners and graphics can easily be added or taken away to accommodate customer needs. Customized Promotional Packages Retailers will now be able to program their own promotional package offers directly onto the PictureStation system to correspond with seasonal demand changes or location-specific needs. For example, with one touch on the screen, a consumer could obtain a package of 24 4x6 prints, one 8x10 print and a photo CD for a reduced price. Easy Editing, Faster Printing The PictureStation system now features automatic color adjustment to instantly correct lightness, brightness and color balance. With the touch on the "portrait button" icon on screen, consumers can also instantly "airbrush" photos to remove things like facial blemishes or wrinkles. Completed prints can now be produced at a rate of one 4x6 approximately every 12 seconds. New Text and Border Options Photos can now be personalized and turned into gifts or keepsakes with new text and border options, including holiday borders, birth announcements, calendars and more. Image Library Capabilities The new software allows for creating a customized image library. Retailers situated near sports arenas or famous landmarks can store images of locations, historic figures and the like directly on the PictureStation system to be purchased and printed in any size to become a framable keepsake. Increased Language Options The Sony PictureStation user interface is now available in 14 language options, which can be added or removed to meet the needs of specific retailer locations. About Sony PictureStation PictureStation systems are part of Sony's global "Print by Sony" initiative. A signature logo appears on the product emphasizing Sony's commitment to quality and consistency. The PictureStation system accepts widely used media, including various formats of Memory Stick(R) media, CompacFlash(TM) cards, SmartMedia(TM) cards, recordable CDs, SD/MMC cards and floppy disks. About USA Technologies: USA Technologies is a leader in the networking of distributed assets, wireless non-cash and m-commerce transactions, associated financial/network services and interactive media technology and energy management. USA Technologies provides networked credit card and other non-cash/mobile commerce systems in the vending, commercial laundry, hospitality and digital imaging industries. USA Technologies is an IBM Business Partner and an inaugural member of the Sprint Enabling Application Service Provider Program for e-commerce. The Company has marketing agreements with the Sprint, Motient, MEI and the ZiLOG Corporation. http://www.usatech.com Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act: With the exception of the historical information contained in this release, the matters described herein contain forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties that may individually or mutually impact the matters herein described, including but not limited to the ability of the Company to increase revenues in the future, the ability to achieve a positive cash flow, the ability to obtain orders for or install its products, the ability to obtain new customers and the ability to commercialize its products (including the e-Port on a chip), which could cause actual results or revenues to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. USA Technologies Contact: Investor Relations Contact: Stephen P. Herbert, President & COO Ken Sgro Wendy Jenkins, VP Marketing CEOcast, Inc. Phone: (800) 633-0340 Phone: (212) 732-4300 e-mail: sherbert@usatech.com SOURCE USA Technologies -0- 02/12/2004 /CONTACT: Stephen P. Herbert, President & COO, sherbert@usatech.com, or Wendy Jenkins, VP Marketing, both of USA Technologies, 1-800-633-0340; or Investor Relations, Ken Sgro of CEOcast, Inc., +1-212-732-4300, for USA Technologies/ /Web site: http://www.usatech.com/ (USTT SNE) CO: USA Technologies; Sony Corporation ST: Pennsylvania, New Jersey IN: CPR STW CSE OTC SU:
US Navy Base in Japan Selects USA Technologies Energy Management Solutions to Cut Power Consumption MALVERN, Pa., Mar 1, 2004 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Over the last few years, Military installations have been exploring ways to conserve on energy. One area addressed has been vending machines, which are located on military installations worldwide. The Navy Exchange vending program, which operates over 17,000 machines and is familiar with the VendingMiser(R) provided by USA Technologies (OTC Bulletin Board: USTT), provided feedback to several base commands regarding potential energy conservation measures that can be obtained by using the VendingMiser.
The San Diego area was one of the first of the Navy Exchange Vending Operations to incorporate the miser on beverage machines. Soon to follow were Navy bases in the Northwest and Naval Station Pearl Harbor. As USA Technologies announced today it has received a purchase order for the procurement of the VendingMiser to support power consumption and lowering utility requirements at Naval Station Yokosuka, Japan.
The Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM), headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., which manages the vending machines at the bases, has supported the use of the VendingMiser where it makes good sense and greatly assists in reducing energy requirements. "We are here to support our Navy bases. Any time we can assist Base Commanding Officers' reduce electric use and cost in all sectors, we immediately provide any information that is available throughout the vending industry," said Gerard Fantano, NEXCOM's Vending Branch Manager.
Naval Station Yokosuka's order is the fourth application by the Navy for USA Technologies energy management solutions in recent months. Earlier this year, the Misawa Air Force Base in Japan installed VendingMisers on its 73 US built cold drink vending machines.
"Through efforts of Exchange Vending operations, Military Installation Commanders are being made aware of the energy and cost saving benefits of our EnergyMiser solutions, and is fast becoming a major, and influential customer," said George R. Jensen, Chairman and CEO, USA Technologies. "Word is quickly spreading in Government circles that our EnergyMiser products can reduce energy consumption and emission of harmful 'greenhouse' gasses by as much as 50 percent, and with more than 300 US Army, Air Force and Navy bases located worldwide, there is significant opportunity for expansion."
The 271 EnergyMiser solutions being installed at Yokosuka Navy base are expected to reduce the base energy bill by as much as $40,000 a year.
About USA Technologies:
USA Technologies is a leader in the networking of distributed assets, wireless non-cash and m-commerce transactions, associated financial/network services and interactive media technology and energy management. USA Technologies provides networked credit card and other non-cash/mobile commerce systems in the vending, commercial laundry, hospitality and digital imaging industries. USA Technologies is an IBM Business Partner and an inaugural member of the Sprint Enabling Application Service Provider Program for e-commerce. The Company has marketing agreements with the Sprint, Motient, MEI and the ZiLOG Corporation. http://www.usatech.com.
Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act: With the exception of the historical information contained in this release, the matters described herein contain forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties that may individually or mutually impact the matters herein described, including but not limited to the ability of the Company to increase revenues in the future, the ability to achieve a positive cash flow, the ability to obtain orders for or install its products, the ability to obtain new customers and the ability to commercialize its products (including the e-Port on a chip), which could cause actual results or revenues to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements.
USA Technologies Contact: Investor Relations Contact: Stephen P. Herbert, President & COO Ken Sgro Wendy Jenkins, VP Marketing CEOcast, Inc. Phone: (800) 633-0340 Phone: (212) 732-4300 e-mail: sherbert@usatech.com SOURCE USA Technologies
Stephen P. Herbert, President & COO, or Wendy Jenkins, VP Marketing, both of USA Technologies, 1-800-633-0340, sherbert@usatech.com; or Investor Relations - Ken Sgro of CEOcast, Inc., +1-212-732-4300, for USA Technologies http://www.usatech.com
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