Psion Teklogix Expands Position In Mobile Computing Market

Business Wire, Sept 28, 2001

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 28, 2001

Psion Teklogix (LSE:PON.)

Launch Of netpad(R) Delivers New Class Of Rugged Hand-Held Tablet

For Mobile Workers

Building on its expertise in designing rugged mobile devices for wireless local area networks, Psion Teklogix, a division of Psion PLC (LSE:PON.), today announced plans to expand its presence in the mobile computing market.

This expansion officially begins today with the launch of the netpad(R), a new rugged hand-held tablet. This is the first product offering that draws on both the former Psion Enterprise and Teklogix' design and market expertise since the companies merged a year ago.

A powerful, portable rugged device, the netpad enables mobile workers to conduct mobile sales, service and maintenance, field data collection, and track and trace applications at their point of activity. The netpad also complements Psion Teklogix' existing line of Workabout(TM) devices for the mobile computing market. Psion Teklogix will continue to expand this line of products with the development of future netpad(R) and Workabout(TM) variants.

The Venture Development Corporation states that the worldwide market for rugged handheld devices will reach $1.8 billion in 2005(i). Psion Teklogix has dedicated sales, marketing and engineering teams to successfully capture a share of this growing market.

"Our expertise in rugged wireless devices and our existing relationships with the supply chain and logistics market ensures that Psion Teklogix is well positioned to capitalize on this growing market," said Ian McElroy, President and CEO, Psion Teklogix. "By building a superior mobile device with data capture and reporting capabilities, Psion Teklogix is fulfilling the needs of the mobile computing market."

Working with partners such as Palmware, IBM, Broadbeam Corporation and FieldWorker, Psion Teklogix is able to accelerate the creation of targeted enterprise solutions for the mobile computing market. From Palmware's single development environment, to IBM DB2's relational database and synchronization server, Psion Teklogix has brought together the right partners to develop comprehensive applications that meet the specific needs of netpad users.

"We are pleased to be working with Psion Teklogix to facilitate the rapid development of new vertical applications for the netpad," said Adrian Browne, VP of Product Development at FieldWorker. "By bringing key partners together Psion Teklogix is offering the enterprise a new breed of product that was built to meet users' exact needs and is helping speed up the adoption of these solutions in the mobile computing market."

The netpad is designed to bridge the gap between rugged industrial computers and professional consumer devices. It provides mobile workers with a lightweight, ergonomic hand-held device with a large, high-resolution touch-screen display that allows for easy navigation of graphics and detailed data. It also offers eight hours of battery life and instant on capabilities.

Psion Teklogix

Psion Teklogix provides mobile computing solutions for the enterprise. The company' s systems, installed in more than 10,000 sites worldwide, provide mobile workers with anytime, anywhere access to enterprise IT systems. Psion Teklogix offers the widest range of connectivity options, and a choice of real-time, near-time and batch technologies. The largest operating division of Psion PLC, Psion Teklogix plays a key role in its parent company's vision to create new ways to access mobile data and the mobile Internet. Psion Teklogix has 43 sales and support offices and 95 independent distributors throughout the world. For more information, visit www.psionteklogix.com

(i) Venture Development Corporation, The Global Markets for Rugged Mobile Computers, Volume 1: Rugged Mobile Computer Products, March 2001.

About FieldWorker

FieldWorker Products Limited, a Toronto based company, is a leading developer of mobile computing solutions, and provider of rapid application development utilities and tool kits for Integrators, Software Developers, Corporations, Government. The company's goal is to provide vertical market mobile computing solutions, as well as to assist third party organizations in the development of their own mobile computing applications.