An Innovative Authorization, Payment and Networking Module Changes Business
Operations and Service Delivery
EMBEDDED SYSTEMS CONFERENCE, SAN FRANCISCO, March 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/
-- ZiLOG(R) Inc. (Nasdaq: ZILG), a leading innovator of integrated 8-bit
microcontroller chips, and USA Technologies Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: USTT), a
provider of wireless networking, asset management and cashless transaction
services, today announced what they believe to be the world's first
authorization, payment and networking module designed specifically for
everyday electronic devices. The eZ-Authorization, Payment and Networking(TM)
module (or eZ-APN(TM) module) connects everyday devices to a network that
provides access to critical data, authorizes use or access and accepts
cashless/credit card payments, anytime, anywhere.
The new technology is a result of a five-year strategic relationship
forged two years ago between two companies committed to developing new and
different 'intelligent living' technology. It integrates USA Technologies'
patented cashless transaction software, its wireless capabilities and
USALive(R) authorization and transaction processing network with ZiLOG's award
winning eZ80Acclaim!(TM) 8-bit microcontroller.
The eZ-APN module wirelessly connects devices or appliances to a network,
transforming them from everyday machines into intelligent tools that promise
to change the way companies do business. It can be added to existing machines
or manufactured into new machines enabling them to authorize access, authorize
funds, monitor diagnostics or repair issues to provide a higher level of
service as well as process credit card and other forms of cashless
transactions. This development opens up new applications and commercial
opportunities in industries as diverse as security, fitness and utilities.
"With the introduction of the eZ-APN module, we are opening up a host of
new commercial opportunities, turning a variety of unattended terminals and
appliances into intelligent tools capable of generating new business streams
and expanding revenues," said George R. Jensen, Chairman and CEO of USA
Technologies Inc. "This technology is a secure authorization, payment and
networking module that offers developers and manufacturers a low cost,
quick-to-deploy, complete turnkey solution to allow them to attach just about
any kind of unattended device to a network."
The new combined technology is already in use in vending machines,
point-of-sale terminals, unattended kiosks and laundry machines, where
transactions are commonplace. In addition, the technology is intended to be
used effectively elsewhere, for example, in equipment servicing the leisure,
security, health care, sports and various other commercial markets.
"The rich set of communications features offered by the eZ80 Acclaim!,
including two UARTs supporting multi-drop mode, I2C, SPI and an IrDA EnDec
that facilitates wireless data transfer, made it the ideal choice for
integration into the eZ-APN module," said Ramesh Ramchandani, executive vice
president of sales and marketing at ZiLOG. "The eZ-APN module's cashless
transaction, remote monitoring, security and auditing capabilities allow us to
identify many new and different applications for this technology. We are now
in a position to actively pursue opportunities to expand the technology into
other application areas such as networking distributed assets and other
innovative distributed applications."
Industry analysts estimate that by 2010, the number of everyday devices
connected to the internet or global network will peak at approximately
880 million and the total M2M (machine to machine) market will be worth
$US250 billion(1), representing a significant business opportunity for
providers of authorization, payment and networking technology. USA
Technologies and ZiLOG believe that the eZ-APN module solution will put them
among the network leaders in changing lifestyles and the way the world does
business. Other potential applications already under consideration include
medical devices, exercise equipment, self serve kiosks and point-of-sale
terminals, amusement games, parking meters, golf carts, and unattended office
equipment in hotels, convention centers and business locations.
"With the low development costs and the ease of implementation of eZ-APN
module technology, businesses of all types could potentially install the USA
Technologies' networking capability at an affordable price into just about any
commercial appliance," commented Jensen. "This should enable them to market a
networked technology with the potential to change the way we do business and
deliver services. Today, USA Technologies and ZiLOG embark on an exciting
journey that has the potential to create enormous new opportunities for both
companies."
eZ-APN Module Technology in Action
At a media and analyst breakfast held in San Francisco at the start of the
Embedded Systems Conference, ZiLOG and USA Technologies demonstrated the
potential of the eZ-APN module technology on three commonly used commercial
devices: a blood pressure machine, commercial laundry machine and a golf swing
and putting analyzer. eZ-APN module technology converts all three static
terminals into intelligent machines, connected to the Internet, offering users
new and different intelligent uses. For example:
-- Blood pressure machine, once networked using eZ-APN module, accepts
debit/credit cards, controls and authorizes activation and can measure,
print and file blood pressure history. Users can also assign
information access to their physician who can monitor their health, via
the web.
-- Interactive laundry service: Already in use on a number of college
campuses across the USA via the e-Suds(TM) program, this application
allows students to pay for their laundry using their college ID cards,
check the availability of washers and dryers online and receive an
e-mail notification of when the washing is done, leaving more time to
study.
-- The golf analyzer highlights the leisure opportunities the eZ-APN
module affords. In this case it offers golf enthusiasts the opportunity
to practice and hone their skills at various locations, such as a
hotel, health club or the office, pay for it with a credit or debit
card and electronically compare their drive or putt against course
records online, worldwide, or with world class champion golfers.
Demonstrations will continue at the ZiLOG and USA Technologies booth
(#1025) for the duration of the Embedded Systems Conference.
About USA Technologies
USA Technologies is a leader in the networking of distributed assets,
wireless non-cash transactions, associated financial/network services and
energy management. USA Technologies provides networked credit card and other
non-cash 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 Sprint, MEI,
Unilever and ZiLOG Corporation. http://www.usatech.com .
About ZiLOG, Inc.
ZiLOG, Inc. founded in 1974, won international acclaim for designing one
of the first architectures in the microprocessors and microcontrollers
industry. Today, ZiLOG is a leading global supplier of 8-bit micro-logic
devices. ZiLOG designs and markets a broad portfolio of devices for embedded
control and communication applications used in consumer electronics, home
appliances, security systems, point of sales terminals, personal computer
peripherals, as well as industrial and automotive applications. ZiLOG is
headquartered in San Jose, California, and employs approximately 520 people
worldwide with sales offices and design centers throughout Asia, Europe and
North America. For more information about ZiLOG and its products, visit the
Company's website at: http://www.ZiLOG.com.
NOTE: ZiLOG and eZ80 Acclaim! are trademarks or registered trademarks of
ZiLOG, Inc. in the United States and in other countries.
This release contains forward-looking statements relating to expectations,
plans or prospects for ZiLOG, Inc. that are based upon the current
expectations and beliefs of ZiLOG's management and are subject to certain
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those described in the forward-looking statements. These forward looking
statements include the statements about growth rate that every day devices
will be connected to the internet and the prospects for ZiLOG/USA
Technologies' eZ-APN module. For example, increased demand on wireless
networks could cause access prices to rise and reduce the adoption rate of new
wireless technologies. ZiLOG does not expect to, and disclaims any obligation
to, update such statements. ZiLOG, however, reserves the right to update such
statements or any portion thereof at any time for any reason.
For a detailed discussion of these and other cautionary statements, please
refer to the risk factors discussed in filings with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including but not limited to the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, and any
subsequently filed reports. All documents also are available through the SEC's
Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval system (EDGAR) at
http://www.sec.gov or from the Company's website at http://www.ZiLOG.com.
(1) M2M Adoption Forecast, The FocalPoint Group, 2004
SOURCE ZiLOG Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.usatech.com
CONTACT:
Stew Chalmers of Positio Public Relations,
+1-408-453-2400, or stew@positio.com, for ZiLOG; or Wendy Jenkins
of USA Technologies, +1-302-545-5617, or WJenkins@usatech.com
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