PSC Inc. Marks History By Previewing First RFID/Barcode Hybrid Scanner; 30th Anniversary of ``Beep That Changed The World''

EUGENE, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 22, 2004--That ubiquitous "beep" is everywhere. "Beeeep" is heard five billion times every day around the world. This week, PSC Inc. marks the 30th anniversary of the first barcode scanned. The company birthed an era when its scanner rang-up a 10-pack of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit gum June 26, 1974.

That PSC scanner and the pack of gum are now in the Smithsonian Institution. But, PSC is on to the next "big thing." It continues to innovate with new RFID readers. The first hybrid RFID/barcode scanner will be demonstrated at the company's 30th "Scanniversary" event, Friday, June 25th, 1:00 p.m. (PST) at its headquarters in Eugene, Oregon. http://www.pscnet.com/html/about.htm

“RFID technology is so much more powerful than simply scanning product prices more quickly and easily”

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) literally transmits information into thin air using radio waves. Products are "tagged" with an RFID chip smaller than a grain of rice. With this tag they can be tracked with PSC's hybrid reader from manufacturing through distribution and the sales cycle. http://www.pscnet.com/rfid/index.htm

With companies such as Wal-Mart demanding RFID use by 2005, will the "beeeep" be silenced?

"Not likely," says PSC's vice president of Engineering, Matt Schler. Just like scanners 30 years ago, RFID needs standardization and lower costs for wider acceptance. That's why PSC is introducing its Falcon Hybrid Reader. This wireless handheld scanner can read both RFID tags and barcodes.

"RFID technology is so much more powerful than simply scanning product prices more quickly and easily," Schler said. "RFID enables product tracking and authentication throughout the supply chain - from development to retail shelf. Implementing this technology for larger, high-cost items is of great benefit; however, grocery items such as canned foods don't require or provide value through tracking. A missing can of chicken soup is a bit different from a plasma screen TV."

The continuation of "the beep" also means continued focus on barcode scanning technologies. PSC has developed a new technology, called Omega, which will ensure maximum performance for barcode scanning. This enhanced technology reads nearly 20 labels per second and cannot be outpaced by a human. To prove this point, PSC has developed the "Dutch bandit," a four-armed whirligig that tests scanner performance. A man vs. machine competition will be held at the Scanniversary to pit company executives against their own technology.

Founded in 1969, PSC, Inc. is a global provider of integrated data-capture technologies. Serving many industries including the retail (45 of the top 50 nationwide), manufacturing, health care, government and distribution sectors and more PSC offers a broad array of products and services for retail automation and automated data collection, including mobile/wireless and fixed bar code scanners. PSC has a presence in more than 100 countries. PSC's headquarters and major manufacturing facility is located in Eugene, Oregon, while sales and service offices are located throughout the American, Europe, Asia and Australia. For more information log onto www.psc.com.

Scanner Fast Facts:

-- PSC's first checkout scanner, in 1974, was part of the actual checkout counter. It had up to 15 circuit boards and cost $4,000 in 1974 dollars.

-- PSC's newest mobile/wireless scanner can be as small as a postage stamp, has the computing power of a high-end PC and costs about 1 percent of the original.

Note to editors: PSC Inc. will hold its 'Scanniversary' event to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the first barcode scan at its Eugene, Ore. Headquarters on Friday, June 25, 2004, 1-5 p.m. PST. Facility tours, product demonstrations and other photo opportunities will be available. Additionally, PSC has archives available that detail the history of its bar scanning equipment.