fter getting word out earlier this year that it was looking for funding, not one but two companies expressed interest in acquiring @pos. It's finally official: The winner is Symbol Technologies, Inc. Here's how it unfolded:

On June 28, 2002, @pos announced that HHP, a privately held image-based data collection systems provider formerly known as Hand Held Products, Inc., had agreed to acquire all of @pos' assets, including its intellectual property, accounts receivable, customer contracts, furniture and equipment. The companies negotiated a purchase price of $5 million in cash plus the assumption of @pos' balance-sheet liabilities.

Several weeks later, Symbol Technologies also expressed interest in acquiring @pos. Symbol Technologies (NYSE: SBL), a provider of data management systems, develops bar code scanners, mobile computers, wireless LANs and other devices and software. Symbol sent @pos a letter of intent, offering to acquire all of the outstanding common stock and equity interests in the company for $5.5 million.

Preferring the latter proposal, on July 22, 2002 @pos' Board of Directors delivered a copy of Symbol's proposal to HHP and gave the company 48 hours to match the new offer.

Difficult decisions often take time. Forty-eight hours turned into 3 1/2 weeks with no news of the decision until @pos finally announced the termination of its agreement with HHP and an official agreement and plan of merger with Symbol Technologies.

"The transaction with Symbol will allow us to expand our operations, pursue market opportunities and continue to develop and enhance our product line," said John Wood, @pos' CEO.

In business since 1996, @pos provides technologies such as signature capture pads, Web-enabled platforms, smart card interfaces and encryption engines. @pos markets its products to retail, government and banking segments for electronic signature capture, debit and credit payments applications.

"The acquisition will extend our product offering to our global retail customers ... @pos' technology will complement and enhance other Symbol product offerings," said Richard Bravman, Symbol Technologies' CEO.

Under the terms of the agreement, Symbol Technologies will acquire all of @pos.com's outstanding common stock for $.46 per share.