Symbol Technologies and IBM offer industry-specific mobile computing solutions - Research and Development - Brief Article

Mobile Internet, The, Dec, 2003

Symbol Technologies and IBM said they are developing a new generation of advanced hand-held wireless and scanning solutions customized for specific industries to help customers improve operational efficiency.

Under the global alliance agreement the companies will jointly develop, market and sell solutions that integrate technologies from Symbol with IBM software, hardware and services to help their customers improve productivity, enhance customer satisfaction and generate a greater return on their IT investments. The companies will provide a new generation of mobile workers rapid access to key business information, such as helping retailers track inventory and customer orders from the factory to the cash register more efficiently. Public sector agencies can streamline their field operations and travel and hospitality companies can provide better and faster service to their customers.

When German-based Max Bahr, one of the pioneers in the home improvement sector needed a mobile communication platform with bar code scan functions for its employees and customers, it called on IBM Networking Services to build a Symbol wireless LAN-based infrastructure for all 76 stores. The solution includes personal computers and point of sale terminals running on Max Bahr's wireless LAN network which serves as an enabler for a host of applications increasing in-store efficiency and customer services using Symbol handheld computers.