STAR MICRONICS DEMONSTRATES LATEST PRINTING SOLUTIONS AT KIOSK EUROPE EXPO 2010, 15-17 JUNE 2010, MESSE ESSEN, GERMANY

June 2010

At Kiosk Europe Expo 2010 (15-17 June 2010, Messe Essen, Germany) Star Micronics, the world's leading installer of packaged and modular specialist kiosk printing solutions, will be exhibiting its extensive range of industry-leading products including the latest addition to its portfolio - the new TUP500DP chassis upgrade.

Building on its TUP500 series, which offers the kiosk industry a versatile and flexible solution that responds to growing demand for small and compact kiosk printing solutions, Star has developed the TUP500DP chassis upgrade that end users can install with training or alternatively installation by a Star reseller can be requested. This upgrade clearly demonstrates Star’s dedication and ability to customise printers to meet specific build needs. In fact, the new TUP500DP is a direct response to requests for a more compact TUP500 series while still providing the reliability and flexibility of an open frame printer designed specifically for the kiosk market. The TUP500DP takes up to 25% less space than the TUP500 yet can still accommodate a 10cm paper roll in diameter thus offering a versatile printing solution. Key features of this series include a print speed up to 220mm per second alongside a 45 - 82.5mm adjustable paper width and a 203 dpi print resolution on media up to 0.15mm in thickness.

In terms of customer firmware and software tools, Star has developed a number of solutions which include remote firmware update capability; auto recovery after power loss which ensures that the printer resumes operation regardless at what point power is lost; and actual print verification status, so that accurate status reports verify when or whether a ticket has been printed. While this may seem a simple tool it is a particularly valuable facility for a wide range of kiosk applications and is not always provided by other kiosk printer manufacturers.

With relationships developed with industry giants such as Microsoft and Apple as well as the UPOS committee, Star drivers support industry standards from Windows 7 to Linux or POS.NET. Furthermore, Star is prepared to share certain source code samples for those kiosk builders who prefer to communicate directly with the printer’s port thus providing flexibility at all levels.

Recognising the importance of the end user experience Star has developed a range of easy to install paper exit guides with flashing LED attraction to enhance paper delivery. Initially designed for the TUP500 series Star has taken the technology and developed similar guides for its TSP700II packaged printer. The paper exit guides provide a low cost yet extremely effective means of enhancing paper delivery within a kiosk. Users can be guided to take the printed output and, via the bezel’s internal sensor, it is also possible to determine exactly when and whether the ticket or receipt has been taken and then return the result as part of the printer’s normal status response, providing additional security where required.

With its printing solutions currently in use across a range of applications and environments from self-service check-in kiosks at leading UK hotel chain Premier Inn to Vodafone top-up kiosks and weighbridge kiosks for Avery-Weigh Tronix, Star offers both reliability and versatility. Whatever the application or environment, customers can receive a tailored solution to meet even the most exacting demands and, with an extensive global distribution network and strong market presence, Star can provide full direct support for all aspects of hardware and software integration.

Annette Tarlton, Marketing Director, Star Micronics EMEA, comments, “With over 30 years experience in the kiosk market and an unrivalled reputation for reliability, Star has one of the strongest OEM kiosk printer ranges available today. Given its extensive portfolio and position at the forefront of innovative printer technology Star will once again be the largest exhibitor of kiosk printing solutions at Kiosk Europe Expo 2010.”