Symbol Technologies Introduces 11 Mbps Wireless Local Area Network-enabled Mobile Computing Family

Business Wire, Jan 17, 2000

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

HOLTSVILLE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 17, 2000

Symbol Technologies (NYSE:SBL), a leading provider of wireless mobile computing solutions, today introduced a mobile computer appliance family that integrates 11 Mbps High Rate wireless local area network data communications and greater functionality to a wide range of industries. The 11 Mbps wireless LAN mobile computer product family was demonstrated at the National Retail Federation trade show in New York, and will soon begin shipping in volume.

The new family of Spectrum24(R) 11 Mbps-enabled computer appliances are designed to comply with IEEE 802.11b industry standards and complement a full suite of Symbol wireless mobile computers - a wide range of Symbol devices based on Windows CE, Palm O/S and DOS operating systems, with integrated local and wide area network communications.

"First in the Industry With 11 Mbps Computer Family"

"We believe we're the first in the industry to introduce an 11 Mbps mobile computer family," said Ron Goldman, senior vice president, Mobile Systems Division, Symbol Technologies. "Customers in a broad range of markets from retail, manufacturing and distribution out to the enterprise need immediate, real-time access to information," "Symbol's Spectrum24 11 Mbps-enabled computer appliances, coupled with our high speed 1D and 2D integrated scanning, deliver the quickest, most efficient transfer of information available today."

The 11 Mbps-enabled computer appliances integrate 11 Mbps radio cards within the unit, and communicate with Symbol's Spectrum24 High Rate access point. The 11 Mbps mobile computing family includes the PDT 6846, PDT 7546, PDT 6146 and VRC 6946. Other 11 Mbps devices based on the Palm O/S and Windows CE will be introduced in the next two months. The Spectrum24 High Rate family also includes PC and PCI cards and network management tools for a complete wireless LAN-based mobile computing solution.

The PDT 6146 is useful for a wide range of industrial applications. One example is retail, where speed and accuracy are essential in shelf-price audit, order entry and picking and receiving. Another example is transportation and logistics, where accuracy is key for efficient package and baggage tracking. It's available in multiple keypad and character display configurations.

The PDT 6846 is ideal for scan-intensive applications. Designed for harsh environments, it is an excellent choice for industrial markets such as transportation and distribution, yet small enough for applications in retail, such as inventory and replenishment, price management and receiving. The device's forward-scanning design reduces user fatigue. Options include multiple keyboards and standard, long-range or high-visibility scanning.

Symbol's PDT 7546, which features the Windows CE operating system, is a lightweight hand-held appliance with advanced bar code scanning, data processing and communications features. Built for productivity and comfort in demanding environments, the versatile PDT 7546 links workers to data and each other in transportation and logistics environments such as warehouses, docks, yards and even on the road. The PDT 7546 meets the most stringent industrial standards and is sealed to IP64 "extreme weather" specifications for protection against water and dust. The terminals can handle extreme temperatures ranging from -13 degrees to 122 degrees and can withstand multiple drops of six feet to concrete. The device also features the latest scan engine technology to read linear and the PDF417 two dimensional code, and is capable of reading bar-coded shipping manifests and pallet contents at 15 times the speed of most scan engines.

The VRC 6946 is a heavy duty Vehicle Radio Computer engineered to withstand extreme temperatures and harsh industrial environments. The rugged VRC 6946 is typically mounted directly onto forklift trucks used in warehousing operations to facilitate data collection, transmission and real-time management of material work-in process and finished goods.

Spectrum24 Solution Set

As the newest addition to Symbol's Spectrum24 wireless LAN solution set, Spectrum24 High Rate is a direct sequence wireless LAN that supports high throughput applications up to 11mbps. This high data rate solution, based on the IEEE 802.11b open airwaves standard for 11 Mbps data transmission, now provides organizations with high-speed wireless capabilities for rapid data transfer from server to terminal, image transfer, Internet communications, customer self-scanning services and streaming video. Symbol also provides customers a complete family of 1 and 2 Mbps wireless LAN solutions.

Symbol Technologies, Inc. is a global leader in wireless and Internet based mobile data management systems and services. Symbol provides its customers unique value with innovative solutions utilizing application-specific information appliances, data and voice wireless networks, and bar code and data capture scanning. Symbol and its global network of business partners provide wireless LAN and WAN mobility solutions from the enterprise to e-commerce for industries including retail, transportation and distribution logistics, manufacturing, parcel and postal delivery, healthcare, hospitality and education. Symbol's broad range of information appliances is in use by business and consumers from the factory, to the office and in the home. Information is available from Symbol at www.symbol.com and 1-800-722-6234.