Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated to Roll Out Symbol Handheld Computers for Field Service, In-Store Operations

Symbol Technologies, Inc. announced today that Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated has purchased Symbol handheld computers as part of a comprehensive solution to provide enhanced service to its retail store customers and repair service to its vending machines.

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated field service technicians will deploy the Symbol color-screen handheld computer, which features the Microsoft operating system, to repair and service tens of thousands of vending machines. The PDT 8100, with integrated laser bar code scanning, will receive work orders, inventory and parts information, and up-to-the-second directions anywhere on the road via satellite communications to the vehicle cradle system. The PDT 8100 is a dependable key- or pen-based mobile computer tough enough to perform throughout the indoor-outdoor environments typical in a field service technician's shift.

Additionally, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated sales managers will use the Symbol handheld computer, a rugged Pocket PC pen-based device, to take and transmit orders in order to provide faster delivery times and better customer service to its store customers.

Symbol is also providing a with 24-hour turnaround, and is responsible for project management and rolling out the solutions.

"We have a flexible, highly rugged, end-to-end solution with the Symbol handheld computers, as well as a quick turnaround with its national service organization," said David Myers, project manager, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated. "We selected the Symbol handheld computers based on a number of factors, including performance, ergonomics, power consumption, and long-term capabilities of the company. We gave Symbol a very short time frame for the roll out because we required that the systems be completely installed before our peak season. Symbol stepped up to the plate and completed the install on time. Our service technicians are now carrying state of the art handhelds with the ability to modify screen settings for visibility under all lighting conditions. From start to finish, we have been very impressed and satisfied with our Symbol experience."

"Field service and route accounting are an extension of the enterprise and, we believe, a market with tremendous growth opportunities," said . "We're providing a solution that combines our core technology strengths - rugged mobile computing with integrated wireless communications capabilities and bar code scanning - that provides this growing workforce with anywhere-anytime information."