Consolidated operating costs and expenses were $3.5 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to $3.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2009. This 9% increase in operating costs and expenses was primarily attributable to higher expenditures for sales compensation related costs, travel expenses, and employee benefit charges, which were partially offset by lower outlays for professional fees and employee severance costs related to the downsizing of our bar code business.
As a result of the above, the consolidated operating earnings for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 totaled $1.1 million as compared to an operating loss of $2.5 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2009.