SATO's CG 408/412 Series Printers Selected as a Best Channel Product by Business Solutions Magazine's VAR Subscribers

SATO, a pioneer in the Automatic Identification and Data Collection (AIDC) industry and a leader in barcode printing, labeling, and EPC/RFID solutions, announced today its selection by Business Solutions magazine’s VAR subscribers as a Best Channel Product. SATO’s top two categories were in the following categories:

• Richness of Features/Functionality
• Product Reliability/Durability

From late April 2010 until mid-May 2010, Business Solutions magazine conducted a Web-based survey of its VAR subscribers. To ensure statistical accuracy, Business Solutions partnered with Penn State University. VAR subscribers were asked to rate the nominated products in five categories. Business Solutions magazine also provided the following guiding questions to ensure consistency in how VARs interpreted each category:

• Richness of Features/Functionality: Does the product meet your customers' functionality needs? Is it easily configurable? Is it easily customizable (i.e. scalable and flexible)?
• Product Reliability/Durability: Does the product meet your quality needs? Do you frequently need to fix the product? Is it durable enough to withstand regular usage?
• Ease of Integration: Is it easily integrated with other products — new or existing?
• Ease of Upgrade: Is it easily upgradeable to meet your customers' needs and technology changes?
• VAR's Ability to Service: Is the product easy for you to service?

A total of 16,656 votes were cast from 1,416 unique reseller subscribers completed and verified (as Business Solutions reseller subscribers) surveys received. These 1,416 resellers represent an estimated $9.2 billion in annual sales, which represents an average of $6.5 million in annual sales per participating VAR.

An overall average score for each product was determined by adding the cumulative scores of the five categories and dividing that score by the number of VAR subscribers who rated that product. From that list, the Business Solutions magazine editorial staff chose the Best Channel Products by applying a "Scree Test" provided by the Penn State statisticians. Simply put, the editors applied reasonableness to the results and drew the line where there was a clear break between the highest scorers and the "rest of the pack." The goal was to reflect the sense of the survey respondents and let the readership know who they felt produced the Best Channel Products.

“Business Solutions magazine’s survey results continue to confirm our longstanding commitment to developing fully functional, reliable, and durable products for the channel and our customers,” said Bob Linse, president of SATO America. “Our entire team should be extremely proud of the products they design and manufacture because the results are obvious…we develop customer-centric products that our VARs and customers continue to use for a wide variety of applications because they work reliably and cost-effectively. We are once again honored that Business Solutions magazine’s VAR subscribers continue to recognize our efforts.”

SATO – Delivering Best-In-Class for performance and value. SATO – leading the way with fully-functional, cost-effective printing solutions.

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