ALTRINCHAM, England, January 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, specialist IT provider Maxatec announces that TouchStar technologies has selected its Advantage LX barcode printer ( http://www.maxatec-europe.com/content/pages/products/barcode/ ) product for its TouchPC range of mobile IT systems, provided to the fuel distribution, transport, retail and manufacturing industries. The printer is used to issue payment and invoice receipts in-cab and on-board transport systems.

With clients including BP, Total Gaz and AFS at Heathrow Airport, Manchester-based TouchStar delivers robust touch-screen computers to businesses requiring field automation, such as on-board sales on airlines and trains, van sales and field service organisations. Technologies include bespoke software and a range of integrated peripherals such as scanners, printers and credit card readers that are designed to increase productivity, improve accuracy, and save time for companies.

Maxatec's Advantage LX printer is fitted in many of the 25,000+ mobile commerce systems and is interfaced with TouchStar's range of TouchPC mobile computers. These communicate with each other in real time to print invoices and receipts for customers.

The four-inch direct thermal label printers are packed with features and specially designed for small areas. They allow large-volume printing and also provide the capability to continue to print even if the computer network fails.

Chris Edwards, marketing manager at TouchStar said: Maxatec provides solid barcode printers ( http://www.maxatec-europe.com/content/pages/products/barcode/ ) with the reliability to meet our needs. With TouchPC, TouchStar effectively eliminates all paperwork, such as delivery or despatch sheets that would previously be created in vehicles. Now everything is on the GPS-enabled IT system and Maxatec allows printing when needed. It adds the final touch to a fully mobile payment system.

Andrea Percival, managing director of Maxatec said: This is a significant deployment of the Advantage LX printer. A company like TouchStar requires systems that are reliable and durable enough to keep functioning while on the road and we are pleased to be able to provide this to the leader in the field of mobile computing.

For more information about barcode printers visit the Maxatec website: ( http://www.maxatec-europe.com/press/2010/01/barcode-printers/ )

About TouchStar Technologies

TouchStar's range of TouchPC touch-screen computers are used in businesses and industries requiring robust field automation, including fuel distribution, on-board sales on airlines and trains, van sales and field service organisations. The solutions, which incorporate both standard and bespoke software and a range of integrated peripherals such as scanners, printers and credit card readers are designed to increase productivity, improve accuracy, and save time for companies.

TouchStar has its headquarters in Manchester, from which it supplies and services its own range of TouchPC rugged, hand-held computers and application software to business users around the world. TouchStar's sales base extends principally across five worldwide locations, including the UK, USA, mainland Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Current users benefiting from TouchStar solutions include BP, Shell, Total, Air Products, Gate Gourmet, Eurostar and over 40% of the world's airlines including Lufthansa, Swissair, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Britannia Airways. http://www.touchstar.co.uk

About Maxatec

Maxatec is an ISO 9001:2008 certified, Value Added Supplier of Specialist IT Hardware and Services to the Auto ID, POS and Mobile markets. As well as offering own brand products, Maxatec's product portfolio includes CognitiveTPG point of sale and bar code label printers, Barcode Label Printers NCR POS terminals, Extech portable receipt printers, TSC industrial label printers, Zebex bar code scanners, MMF cash drawers, FlexPOS POS terminals, and Firich (FEC) Touch screens and SAMMI mobile computing devices. Maxatec also offers software and services including NiceLabel label design package, and a wide range of consumables (paper, labels, ribbons), spare parts and in-house and on-site service capabilities. The Maxatec brand is synonymous with high standards of service as well as high performance, high quality products.

For more information about Maxatec: Tel: +44(0)161-942-7850 Fax +44(0)161-927-7664 info@maxatec-europe.com

SOURCE: Maxatec Europe

CONTACT: For more information about Maxatec: Tel: +44(0)161-942-7850, Fax+44(0)161-927-7664, info@maxatec-europe.com