West Chester, Pa. — MEI has introduced the MEI CASHFLOW SC83, that according to a company release is the industry's first bill validator to accept the majority of international currencies.

Because the MEI CASHFLOW SC83 accepts bills from 62-83mm in width, and 120-166mm in length, it provides the capability for retailers to transact currency in the majority of the world's markets.

The product, which will become commercially available in August 2004, is ideal for use in key retail applications including kiosks, enhanced ATMs, order, pay, and go systems for the quick-serve industry, and other self-serve systems requiring reliable unattended transactions.

The MEI CASHFLOW SC83 is designed to maximize retailer revenue by accepting all legal currency as well as worn and damaged bills.

Featuring advanced cash transport systems that allow customers to feed in any legal currency, in any direction, regardless of its physical condition, the product increases both retailer profits and, perhaps even more critically, customer satisfaction.

By scanning 300% more of the surface of each bill than traditional acceptors and utilizing six wavelengths of light, the MEI CASHFLOW SC83 maximizes acceptance, ensures throughput, and creates an optimal self-serve customer environment.

The MEI CASHFLOW SC83 also features an advanced bill recognition system, which increases the security of cash transactions, maximizing the value of the retailer's cashbox.

This proven Swiss recognition technology provides a unique discrimination system ensuring that only legal bills are accepted into the cashbox, increasing retailer revenue. Even the most advanced counterfeit bills are identified and rejected.

The MEI CASHFLOW SC83 can rapidly process bills, with a jam rate of close to 1 in 100,000 bills, as demonstrated in field trials.

Sophisticated recognition algorithms greatly increase acceptance speed and security. In addition, the product is constructed of a durable, high-impact plastic in a curved, welded design that provides superior protection of internal mechanisms against harsh handling.

The cashbox also features the industry's first dispute resolution window to show the value of the last bill stacked in the cassette. Customers can view the actual bill last fed, getting solid proof of their transaction, and resolving their dispute quickly.

When a new bill is issued, software updates are available to MEI's customers via an easy-to-use, handheld support tool that can be used globally, for all accepted currencies.

"MEI is providing retailers with an easy, affordable way to deploy their self-serve systems globally with the same bill acceptor," said Andrew Osborne, global marketing manager for MEI's retail division.

"Retailers earn economies of scale by working with one product from one vendor. Plus, the MEI SC83 discourages tampering and vandalism, while making it easier for money handlers to do their jobs."