FedEx gets thin - Federal Express to switch to network computers, Java - Company Operations - Brief Article

Software Magazine, Oct, 1997 by Ann Harrison

Hero of the UPS strike, Federal Express is now ramping up to write extensive internal Java applications and replace thousands of 3270 terminals and PCs with network computers. According to spokesperson Sally Davenport, the Memphis, Tenn.-based company is soliciting bids for 50,000 to 75,000 NCs to be deployed in early 1998.

FedEx has received RFPs from six NC vendors including NED, HP, Neoware Systems, Network Computing Devices, Sun Microsystems, and Wyse Technology. Davenport won't reveal how much the company plans to spend becoming an NC pioneer, but she says FedEx is banking on a ROI from more efficient network management, streamlined IT administration, and improved productivity of its field and ground crews.

"From a standpoint of deploying information from the servers, it is certainly going to be a cost savings ore r sending technicians to do things to individual PCs," notes Davenport. "It made a lot of sense for us to make use of this technology."