Contact:
     Susan Pagani
     Public Relations Manager
     Elo TouchSystems, Inc.     
     Phone:     (510) 739-4671
     Fax:       (510) 739-4657
     E-Mail:    [email protected]
     
     
     
     
     HOME DEPOT SELECTS ELO TOUCHSYSTEMS' TOUCHMONITORS
     
     TOUCH-BASED EMPLOYMENT AND POS APPLICATIONS HELP HOME DEPOT CUT 
     TRAINING COSTS AND MEET THE DEMANDS OF RAPID EXPANSION
     
     January 15, 1999   Fremont, California
     
     Elo TouchSystems, Inc., global leader in touch technology, announces 
     that Home Depot has selected its AccuTouch (Resistive technology) and 
     IntelliTouch (Surface Wave technology) touchscreens to provide 
     touch-based applications in its national chain of home improvement 
     stores.  Elo's 14-inch AccuTouch touchmonitors are used as the 
     point-of-sale (POS) interface to a sophisticated Returns/Refunds 
     system and a Tool and Truck Rental system.  The 15-inch IntelliTouch 
     kiosk touchmonitors and Scribex signature-capture pads provide an 
     in-store "Employment Application Tracking" system to help Home Depot 
     handle the recruitment and applications of more than 100,000 new 
     associates over the next several years.
     
     Prior to the introduction of Elo's touchmonitors, all of these systems 
     were character-based, and keyboard and function-key driven.  "We moved 
     to touch because we needed to update our applications in light of the 
     training and recruitment requirements of our continuing expansion 
     plans," says Danny Branch, IS director of store systems and 
     merchandising systems for Home Depot.  "We find users less intimidated 
     by touching a graphic button or icon than figuring out a keystroke, and 
     the intuitive nature of touch enables us to reduce training time, which 
     means we are better able to move associates around the various 
     departments to meet peak time demands."
     
     
     Flexibility and durability
     
     According to Branch, Home Depot selected Elo's AccuTouch touchmonitors 
     for its Returns/Refunds applications because they were the only 
     touchmonitors that met all of the company's criteria: functionality, 
     flexibility, ease of use, quality and durability.  "We needed a 
     touchscreen that could function from input by a pen, credit card or 
     gloved hand -- and have the durability to withstand acetone, alcohol, 
     household cleaners, or whatever an associate was working with at the 
     time," Branch explains.
     
     
     Project Begins in Returns/Refunds, Expands to Rentals
     
     "The Returns/Refunds system was designed to achieve two, main criteria 
     -- cut down the time it takes a customer to return merchandise and 
     improve loss prevention.  The new system met both of these targets," 
     says Branch.  In addition, using touchscreens solved another problem 
     for Home Depot -- high training costs in the face of employee turnover. 
      "Like most retailers, turnover is a concern, so constant retraining is 
     expensive," explains Branch.  "However, because touchscreens are such a 
     naturally easy interface to use, they effectively reduce training time 
     and help us keep our costs down."
     
     Due to the success of the Returns/Refunds application, a similar 
     touch-driven Tool and Truck Rental application was developed.  This 
     system guides the user through set-up of the contract on-screen, 
     scanning in the bar codes of item/s to be rented -- for example, tools 
     or keys to a truck -- and then closing out the rental in a similar way 
     when the items are returned.
     
     
     Interactive Employment Application Tracking Centers
     
     "Our main criteria in developing the Employment Application Tracking 
     Centers was to create a system so simple that anyone who walks up to 
     the screen can use it immediately, even if they have no computer 
     experience whatsoever," says Branch.  "Touch is the obvious choice and 
     Elo's IntelliTouch is the ideal tool because its robust, 
     scratch-resistant and vandal-proof surface provides stable, drift-free 
     operation despite the rigors of a public information system."
     
     Home Depot's touch-driven kiosks, now located at the entrance to each 
     store, enable potential employees to access a video concerning 
     employment at Home Depot, complete an on-line application form, and 
     take the Home Depot associate's test.  All input is touch-driven and 
     the Scribex signature-capture pad is used to formally sign the 
     completed application.  The information is logged and made available 
     to store managers, who can then review all applicants in their area, 
     including those who apply outside of their particular store.  With the 
     old system, an applicant would have to visit every local store to 
     achieve the same results.
     
     For more information on AccuTouch and IntelliTouch touchmonitors, 
     Scribex signature-capture pads and other Elo products and services, 
     contact Elo TouchSystems at 800-ELO-TOUCH (800-356-8682) or visit 
     Elo's Web site at www.elotouch.com.  Direct electronic mail inquiries 
     to [email protected].
     
                                   # # #
     
     Elo TouchSystems, Inc., the leader in touch technology, develops, 
     manufactures and markets a complete line of touch products that 
     simplify the interface between people and computers.  Founded in 1971, 
     Elo has headquarters in Fremont, California and offices worldwide.  Elo 
     TouchSystems is a wholly owned subsidiary of Raychem Corporation 
     (NYSE:RYC).  For more information on Elo's products and services, call 
     1-800-ELOTOUCH (1-800-356-8682) or visit Elo's Web site at 
     www.elotouch.com.