Symbol Technologies To Provide Intrinsically Safe Wireless Mobile Computing Solution To Eastman Chemical Company

Process Manufacturing Solution Features Eastman's Unique Inventory Management System Running on Rugged Symbol Handheld Computer

Symbol Technologies, Inc. , a global leader in mobile data transaction systems, today announced that Eastman Chemical Company , a global manufacturer of more than 1,200 chemicals, fibers and plastic products, is implementing Symbol's Intrinsically Safe (I-Safe) wireless mobile computing solution in its warehouses.

This I-Safe handheld computer will run on a highly innovative inventory management system developed by Eastman.

The installation, at Eastman's headquarters in Kingsport, Tenn., is one of the first in the chemical industry and offers an alternative to the traditional paper-based model of gathering data, resulting in a more efficient method of managing the manufacturing process. Additional Eastman plants in the U.S., as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and the United Kingdom, are expected to come on line next year.

Working in collaboration with Eastman, Symbol garnered special certifications for the PDT 8146, a rugged handheld computer designed for extreme heavy industrial use. The Symbol device is believed to be the first Pocket PC 2002 handheld computer in the world to be certified for use in hazardous locations; it is certified intrinsically safe for use in Class 1 Div 1, nonincendive for use in Class 1 Div 2 and internationally to the ATEX directive II 2 G, EEx ib IIC T4. See for more details on the product.

Pairing the rugged Symbol mobile computer and the Symbol Spectrum24® wireless communications capability with the new inventory management system designed by Eastman improves productivity, accuracy and inventory control within warehousing, receiving and chemical operations. The Eastman contract is the first for Symbol Technologies since the Symbol PDT 8146 was awarded hazardous location certification.

Using Eastman's inventory management system and the Symbol I-Safe device, workers are now able to simply scan a bar code to send information directly to Eastman's ERP (SAP) system to gain immediate access to an updated inventory. Previously, workers had to look at the bar code, reference information on the label, write that information down or input it into an older-style PDA. Using the PDT 8146 makes that information-gathering process less cumbersome and time consuming and more accurate. Eastman expects to experience a full return on investment in the first year due to increased inventory control, significant process efficiencies and reduced days receivables, all made possible by the ability to collect data at the point of activity.

Eastman, a leader in the manufacturing industry for its use of technology, has been named one of the top 100 companies among all industries for its work in information technology, and its IT organization has been named one of the top 100 for innovation by leading technical authorities. The inventory management system developed by Eastman directly integrates information collected by the cutting-edge Symbol I-Safe device into the SAP data management system, further extending its reach and increasing warehouse automation. Eastman plans to use the Symbol PDT 8146 as its preferred I-Safe device throughout its facilities worldwide.

"With Eastman and in the process manufacturing industry at large, the focus goes beyond accuracy, efficiency and speed. Safety is the overriding requirement. Working with industry leader Eastman, the need for mobile computing products with I-Safe certification was paramount," said Barry Issberner, vice president, Symbol Technologies.

"By running SAP transactions straight from the warehouse floor, we save time," said Dave Hrivnak, manager, Eastman's Emerging Digital Wireless Technologies. "This time directly translates to less inventory on the floor, faster receivable turnaround and less labor. A solid win all around."

"By teaming our innovative solution with the hardware of a leading solution provider such as Symbol Technologies, we are setting a new industry standard in inventory management," noted Nicolas Voiriot, New Business Development, Eastman. "Once we expand the use of this solution to process data collection, we are confident that we will experience even further productivity improvements and savings."

About Eastman Chemical

Headquartered in Kingsport, Tenn., Eastman manufactures and markets chemicals, fibers and plastics. The company has approximately 15,800 employees in more than 30 countries and had 2001 sales of $5.4 billion. For more information about Eastman and its products, visit