Symbol Technologies Unveils New Line Of Wireless Mobile Computers Based On The Microsoft Windows CE Operating System
Devices Designed to Deliver Mobile Computing Solutions to Vertical Market and Enterprise Applications
1999-10-5 HOLTSVILLE, N.Y.
Symbol Technologies, Inc., a world leader in mobile computing, data capture and wireless local area networking solutions, today introduced three new mobile computer families based on the Microsoft
Windows CE operating system designed with today's mobile worker in mind.
Symbol's three new hand-held computers - the Symbol PPT 2700, PDT 7200 and PDT 7500 - are ideal mobile computing tools for a range of businesses such as
manufacturing, logistics, parcel and post, governments and military, retail, warehousing, and for data collection and data management throughout the
enterprise. They complement Symbol's broad line of hand-held computers, which include computers based on the Palm O/S, DOS and other operating systems.
The devices combine advanced computing in a design ruggedized for a wide range of business applications and working environments with the Windows CE operating system which is optimized for
hand-held computers. The PPT 2700, PDT 7200 and PDT 7500 offer performance-enhancing features and options such as a range of integrated laser bar code scanning with Symbol's scan engine family;
wireless LAN connectivity and Internet connectivity with Symbol's industry-leading Spectrum24® wireless LAN.
Symbol's Windows CE computers are a significant part of the recent five-year, $248 million dollar AIT II contract Symbol won to provide
solutions through the Department of Defense global network.
"Symbol understands how to take the best advantage of Windows CE and has more than 10 years of mobile computing experience in building solutions for its global customer base. Now we're
demonstrating our unique ability to bring the two together," said Ron Goldman, vice president and general manager, mobile computing, Symbol Technologies. "Our new CE products are smaller and
lighter than competitors' products while providing maximum performance and greater mobility when accessing and managing business information.
"Symbol's wireless LAN technology enables mobile users within the enterprise to transmit and record enterprise resource planning data to the server in real-time, directly from the point of
activity, including everything from inventory control to expenses."
Symbol's Windows CE family is vital to a number of business solutions including central to Ameranth Technology Systems hospitality industry solution.
"Ameranth has chosen to center its solutions on Symbol's cutting edge hand-held computers," said Keith McNally, CEO of Ameranth Technology Systems, a leading provider of wireless systems solutions
for hospitality and other industries. "The combination of Symbol's advanced hand-held technology, Symbol's Spectrum24 wireless LAN technology, and Windows CE in a hand-held with the form factor and
elegance required for customer service applications allows employees to move away from fixed terminals and will forever change the way businesses take care of their customers."
"Symbol has reaffirmed that it is a leader in the mobile computing market with this exciting family of devices. As Windows CE gains acceptance in vertical markets and beyond, it is clear that
products from Symbol will play an important role," said Harel Kodesh, vice president, Information Appliance Division, Microsoft.
Symbol PPT 2700
Weighing under 12 ounces, Symbol's new PPT 2700 is a ruggedized, pocketable computer with advanced wireless local area network (LAN) communications, Web browsing and integrated scanning
capabilities, based on the Microsoft Windows CE operating system.
The PPT 2700 allows users to communicate in real-time over Symbol's Spectrum24® wireless LAN, providing up-to-the-minute information flow. In addition, the PPT 2700 enables users to manage
schedules, personal information, contacts, and e-mail * all traditional uses of PDAs. The PPT 2700 can withstand multiple four-foot drops on concrete and is water- and dust-resistant.
Symbol PDT 7200
Symbol's new PDT 7200 is the next generation in advanced hand-held data management computing. This light-weight hand-held terminal features a powerful processor and the industry's most innovative
productivity enhancements, such as voice paging, touch screen control and one-and two-dimensional bar code scanning. Its architecture is also designed for compatibility with either the Microsoft
Windows CE or Microsoft MS-DOS based operating systems. This provides users with an "interim" solution as they migrate legacy operating systems to the CE platform.
A key feature of the PDT 7200 is its voice-paging capabilities. Using Symbol's Spectrum24 wireless LAN infrastructure, the terminal allows users to receive pages, prompting them with a voice or
vibrating alert which conveys the caller and number.
The PDT 7200 also includes increased "smart battery" functionality and a VGA LCD virtual keypad, which allows any keyboard configuration to be designed for application-specific needs. The PDT 7200
is available in both rugged and non-rugged versions and is built for data-intensive tasks such as tracking inventory, ordering merchandise or managing equipment.
Symbol PDT 7500
Symbol's new PDT 7500 is a lightweight hand-held terminal with advanced bar code scanning, data processing and communications features. Built for productivity and comfort in demanding environments,
the versatile PDT 7500 links workers to data and each other in transportation and logistics environments such as warehouses, docks, yards and even on the road.
The PDT 7500 series unit meets the most stringent industrial standards and is sealed to IP64 "extreme weather" specifications for protection against water and dust. The terminals are fully
functional in extreme temperatures ranging from -13 degrees to 122 degrees and can withstand multiple drops of six feet to concrete. The device also features the latest mini-scan engine technology
to read linear and 2-D bar codes, and is capable of reading bar-coded shipping manifests and pallet contents at 15 times the speed of most scan engines.
About Windows CE
Windows CE is designed specifically to work with mobile computing devices. End-users and developers benefit from the fact that Windows CE is built around the Win32 application programming
interface, is compatible with other 32-bit Windows-based operating systems and offers consistency with current Windows development tools. Applications can be developed using Windows CE extensions
to the standard tools such as Visual C++, Visual Basic and Visual J++, allowing users to take full advantage of the latest innovations in mobile computing technology, while having full
interoperability with a Windows-based enterprise system.
About Symbol Technologies
Symbol Technologies, Inc., The Enterprise Mobility Company™, is a recognized worldwide leader in enterprise mobility, delivering products and solutions that capture, move and manage information in
real time to and from the point of business activity. Symbol enterprise mobility solutions integrate advanced data capture products, radio frequency identification technology, mobile computing
platforms, wireless infrastructure, mobility software and world-class services programs. Symbol enterprise mobility products and solutions are proven to increase workforce productivity, reduce
operating costs, drive operational efficiencies and realize competitive advantages for the world's leading companies.
For press information:
Symbol Technologies, Inc.
Erin Farrell: farreler@symbol.com
+1.631.738.4068
Bill Abelson: abelsonb@symbol.com
+1.631.738.4751
Patricia Hall: hallp@symbol.com
+1.631.738.5636
Joey Marquart: joey.marquart@edelman.com
212-704-8133
Elizabeth Blicharz: elizabeth.blicharz@edelman.com
212.704.4484
Symbol Technologies Europe, Middle East, Africa:
Helen Rigby: helen.rigby@symbol.com
+44 118 945 7527
Symbol Technologies Asia Pacific:
Tze Hui Low: Lowt@symbol.com
+65 6796 9621
For financial information:
Symbol Technologies, Inc.
Erin Farrell-Talbot
+1.631.738.4068
Lori Chaitman: chaitmal@symbol.com
631.738.5050
For industry analyst information:
Symbol Technologies, Inc.
Shirley Schroedl: schroeds@symbol.com
631.738.4388
