Tesco PLC Installs ACM Self Checkout from Productivity Solutions, Inc. -PSI-; First UK Retailer to Offer 'Any Size Order, Any Time' Self Checkout Solution.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 5, 2003

Productivity Solutions, Inc. ("PSI") and Tesco PLC (TSCO.L) announced today that the ACM(R) 700 Self Checkout system is being trialed in the Tesco Superstore in East Dereham, Britain.

Tesco is the UK's leading supermarket with 730 stores and a total of 980 stores worldwide. This installation is the first store to offer shoppers in Britain a self checkout solution that handles both large and small orders any time of day. It also represents PSI's continuing expansion internationally with the ACM 700, its newest conveyor belt product.

Richard Dodd, strategic programme manager at Tesco said: "We are the first UK retailer to embrace the concept of self checkout as an option for everyone to use at any time of day. We choose to work with PSI because of their commitment to any size order and their solution's flexibility to handle both large and small orders equally well. Response by both customers and staff has been overwhelmingly positive. Customers are telling us that the ACM self checkout is simple to use and they are using it for both large and small orders. Our staff are telling us it's exciting, fun and they welcome the increased opportunity to interact with customers."

"Tesco is an innovative leader in the UK retail industry and we are excited to bring our ACM Self Checkout solution to its shoppers," said Michael Persky, President of PSI. "Consumers everywhere want the option of self checkout. Our continued international expansion reinforces our belief that our 'any size order, any time' self checkout solution offers retailers the best solution 'anywhere' in the world."

The ACM (Automated Checkout Machine) modular product line offers retailers both conveyor-based and scan and bag self checkout solutions, designed to fit all retail store formats and sizes, regardless of volume. The ACM 700, with its patented conveyor-based lane design, closely resembles a conventional checkout lane, yet incorporates full-color touch-screen, multi-media instruction, and online lookup screens to make it customer friendly and easy to use. This patented lane design also provides the flexibility to accommodate shoppers with full or express size orders, which means the 700 can handle significantly more sales and more items than regular checkout lanes and competing self checkout solutions. The ACM, which can be customized by the retailer, fits easily into each retailer's front-end checkout area. All these capabilities lead to an excellent return on investment in the self checkout industry. PSI and IBM are jointly marketing the PSI ACM solution to retailers in North America.

About Tesco

Tesco is the UK's leading retailer with 730 stores, employing over 200,000 people. Worldwide, Tesco operates 980 stores across ten countries and employs over 260,000 people.

About PSI

Productivity Solutions, Inc. is the leading manufacturer and largest distributor of conveyor-based self checkout solutions in the US. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, the company provides retailers with a complete, modular product line of industry-leading software and systems designed specifically to enhance productivity while improving customer service. PSI, a private company, is backed by venture capital partners including Canaan Partners and GE. For more information about ACM Self Checkout and PSI, please visit www.ps-inc.com.