PepsiAmericas Rolls Out Symbol Rugged Mobile Computers for Next-Generation Route Accounting System
PepsiAmericas at Vanguard of Trend to Provide 'Anywhere-Anytime' Info to Mobile Field Workers, Market Estimated at $1.7 Billion in U.S by 2003
2002-6-10 HOLTSVILLE, N.Y.
Symbol Technologies, Inc. NYSE:SBL today announced that PepsiAmericas (NYSE:PAS), the second largest anchor bottler of Pepsi-Cola products, has selected rugged Symbol mobile computers and the
Symbol Spectrum24® wireless local area network (WLAN) for its U.S.-based mobile work force to maximize order management, delivery efficiencies and enhance customer service.
The contract is valued at approximately $16 million over the next two years and begins shipping this month.
PepsiAmericas is equipping each of its Pre-Sell Account Sales Managers and route Delivery Agents with the Symbol PDT 8000 Pocket PC series computer, which features an integrated bar code
scanner and bright color display for easy outdoor viewing. It has the built-in durability to withstand drops to concrete and is sealed to withstand extreme weather conditions. Calling the Symbol
Pocket PC 'the right tool for the job', Ken Johnsen, Chief Information Officer, PepsiAmericas, said, "We worked in tandem with Symbol to develop an imaginative solution that helps enhance our
customer service by streamlining processes, increasing efficiency and increasing information accuracy. Symbol's innovation in and mobile computing technology is unmatched."
"With this system, PepsiAmericas is underscoring its commitment to efficient and precise customer service; it's at the forefront of an important trend that brings the satisfaction of customer needs
to a new level," said , President and COO, Symbol Technologies.
Noting that industry analyst International Data Corporation (IDC) put the number of U.S. field service workers at 5.2 million in 2001, Bravman added, "This important new market that encompasses
route accounting, direct store delivery and field service presents Symbol with abundant opportunity. Symbol has the experience and the right mix of products - rugged mobile computing, WLAN and WWAN
communications, - and services to tackle this business segment."
IDC expects the U.S. smart handheld device market to grow to 8.7 million units, valued at $1.7 billion, by 2003. "Business applications that incorporate local-area and wide-area wireless
technology, bar code scanning and a degree of durability, into mobile computing devices have a very high return-on-investment for enterprise field service operations," said Kevin Burden, Senior
Analyst, Smart Handheld Devices, IDC.
PepsiAmericas Solution: How it Works
The Symbol wireless mobile computing system is the centerpiece of PepsiAmericas' next-generation mobile field sales and delivery automation solution. For the presales process, PepsiAmericas Account
Sales Managers directly interface with customers, using the Symbol wireless computers to take orders on-site. To ensure that delivery trucks are stocked efficiently and accurately for the day's
routes, orders are remotely uploaded to the central order and routing system at PepsiAmericas using cell phone connectivity.
For direct store delivery operations, the PDT 8000s provide each driver with an automated tool to track inventory, record deliveries and wirelessly print invoices to a portable printer. Using the
wireless local area network, the PDT 8000 receives the latest information on the day's route to ensure that the driver has the most current stock and route information prior to departure. Each
computer is DEX ready, for instant data synchronization, facilitating the electronic transfer of receivables and any new orders directly into the customer's database. Upon the driver's return,
route information is quickly and efficiently uploaded to the host computer via the wireless LAN. The benefits include improved productivity through automated inventory management and increased
efficiencies by eliminating stocking errors and paperwork.
Symbol supports the PepsiAmericas wireless network management through a remote monitoring service using services 24x7 support, Symbol's (WNMS) software and Symbol , which is software designed to
streamline the entire wireless mobile computing device management process including updating files, applications and operating systems wirelessly and from remote locations.
Extended Technologies Corporation, Symbol business partner, provides the software application used by PepsiAmericas delivery personnel.
