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Epson

Known for high-MICR (magnetic-ink character recognition) accuracy in its point-of-sale printers and high-quality image scanners, Long Beach, Calif.-based Epson is combining both features in its newest scanner called CaptureOne. Available in two versions, the desktop scanner can be used for back-office-capture (BOC) and remote-data-capture (RDC) applications. It can scan up to 60 documents per minute, and it includes a 100-sheet document feeder. It also has a double-check detector that virtually eliminates double check feeding, and a built-in franker prints a static message on checks to prevent double processing. The unit is the newest addition to the company’s family of imaging products that covers the full spectrum of retail check-processing methods. The unit will be available by the third quarter of 2007.www.epson.com

Newer Technology Inc.

Newer Technology, Woodstock, Ill., a developer of PC, Macintosh and iPod performance upgrades and accessories, introduced Guardian MAXimus. Called the first low-cost FireWire and USB2 external RAID 1 storage solution for commercial and consumer use, the external storage solution works with any computer that has a FireWire 400, FireWire 800 or USB2 interface, and its hardware mirroring software provides line activity backup and data redundancy. A front-panel LED screen displays drive and status information.www.newertech.com

SATO America, Microsoft Corp.

Charlotte, N.C.-based SATO America teamed up with Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft to integrate the capabilities of Micro-soft’s BizTalk RFID device-management and event-processing platform with SATO’s RFID-solution-development experience. The team expects its partnership to address obstacles that prevent end users from benefiting from end-to-end supply chain RFID-enabled solutions, such as a lack of standards, differing access protocols and limited integration with third parties and legacy systems. By merging SATO’s RFID printers and devices, consumables and software with the BizTalk RFID infrastructure, users can identify products and materials in real time throughout their life cycle in the supply chain.www.satoamerica.com; www.microsoft.com

Expesite

Expesite, Columbus, Ohio, launched a new strategic-sourcing solution that will help retailers locate and qualify vendors and suppliers for their construction and real estate projects. The Web-based solution, called End-to-End Sourcing, can be used to source anything purchased by corporate departments, the construction team or retail operations. Potential vendors can sign up for the program through a custom URL, complete a registration and compete in bid events. Then retailers use the system to manage bids and auctions, access centralized vendor-management information, and automate vendor profiles and qualifications. These services increase the retailers’ quality of vendor responses.www.expesite.com