NEWS WATCH: 7-ELEVEN TO ROLL OUT NEW HANDHELD DEVICE...TESCO TO PURCHASE 4,000 RFID READERS FOR STORES AND DCS...PREPAID DEBIT CARDS TO HANDLE DIRECT DEPOSIT

7-ELEVEN TO ROLL OUT NEW HANDHELD DEVICE

reed to purchase the new MC3000 handheld devices from Symbol Technologies, Holtsville, N.Y., for 5,000 convenience stores nationally. Symbol is announcing the deal today at the National Retail Federation's 94th Annual Convention and Expo, held here this week at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Symbol described the device as a lightweight, ergonomic handheld suited for in-store and back-room data-capture applications, such as inventory replenishment, price audits and shipping/receiving. It employs both scanning and imaging technologies, and can leverage the 802.11b or 802.11g wireless standards.

TESCO TO PURCHASE 4,000 RFID READERS FOR STORES AND DCS

LONDON -- Tesco here has entered into a multi-year contract with ADT, Boca Raton, Fla., as its exclusive supplier of Electronic Product Code (EPC) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers and antennae, ADT announced last week. The first phase of the contract involves the provision of over 4,000 readers and 16,000 antennae by autumn 2005 for the dock doors and merchandise receipt points at approximately 1,300 Tesco stores and 35 distribution centers across the U.K., and may potentially include the international Tesco business, said ADT. This solution will support Tesco's "Radio Barcode" (RFID) and Secure Supply Chain programs, which aim to promote increased product availability, reduced prices and improved customer service.

PREPAID DEBIT CARDS TO HANDLE DIRECT DEPOSIT

LOS ANGELES -- Next Estate Communications (NEC) here has announced the availability of free direct deposit for its prepaid debit cards. In addition to reloading their cards, Next Estate's cardholders can now have payroll checks, expense reimbursements, bonuses, and other employment-related payments deposited directly onto their prepaid card at Green Dot Financial Network retail locations, which include Food Lion and Pathmark stores.