Symbol Technologies Introduces Standards-Based, Radio Independent Wireless LAN Client Bridge

Symbol Spectrum 24® CB 1000 Gives Wireless Connectivity to Printers, POS Systems, Scales and other Tethered Equipment through Ethernet or Serial Port Connections

How can the same device be used to service customers on a retail sales floor and control inventory in the backroom with no wiring needed? In-store devices and equipment that were never intended to be wireless are about to be unplugged.

Symbol Technologies, Inc. today introduced an 802.11 and 802.11b (WiFi ) wireless standards-based client bridge for or wireless LAN infrastructures at the National Retail Federation show in New York. Symbol's CB 1000, when installed with Spectrum24® wireless LAN adapters, extends wireless connectivity to normally wired equipment through industry standard Ethernet or serial port connections.

The CB 1000 meets the mobility needs of today's retail environment by connecting a variety of devices to an existing wireless infrastructure without the expense associated with extending a wired network. Symbol's client bridge brings wireless life to an array of stationary products, including point-of-sale systems (POS), printers, weight scales, medical equipment, Internet Protocol-based video cameras, manufacturing machinery, bar-code readers and other data collection devices, time clocks, and handheld cradles. The CB 1000 client bridge provides retail outlets with ultimate POS flexibility to temporarily alter their floor layout to support seasonal sales and manage high volume periods.

"This fulfills a definite need in the retail industry," said Jocelyn Furniss, Worldwide Brand Marketing Director, IBM Retail Store Solutions. "Adding wireless to POS systems and other devices will solve a major issue for customers seeking greater mobility and flexibility with their in-store networks." Symbol will demonstrate wireless POS connectivity at NRF by attaching the CB 1000 to IBM's newest POS system, the SurePOS 700 family.

The in-store retail market is currently the largest segment for wireless LAN technologies. With the advance of standards-based DS wireless LANs, combined with the large installed base of FH wireless LANs, the CB 1000 gives customers the flexibility to support either network while protecting their existing investment. According to Venture Development Corporation the product shipments of FH (802.11) and DS (802.11b) wireless LAN technologies will dominate the retail industry, representing roughly 65% of the total wireless LAN shipments from 2000 to 2002. With such proliferation, Symbol sees customers making the most of their networking infrastructure by adding and connecting traditionally wired equipment to wireless LANs.

"We see the product solving unique needs in the , , and enterprise sectors," said Chuck Hudson, vice president, product marketing, Symbol's Wireless Systems division. "The CB 1000 rounds out Symbol's wireless product portfolio and provides a flexible and cost effective product for our customers who are looking for mobility from standards-based wireless LANs."

Spectrum24 CB 1000 Client Bridge

The CB 1000 (see datasheet and photos at ) is a small, lightweight snap -together case with an accessible PCMCIA slot that adapts to Spectrum24 2mbps FH or 11mbps DS ( WiFi certified) radios. The CB 1000 will support all the leading features of Symbol's Spectrum24 WLAN product family, including, international roaming, robust security (WEP for 40/128 bit encryption), rate switching, operation in ad hoc and psuedo IBSS modes, DSMU and Micro AP (for 2Mbit products). In open environments, CB 1000 connected equipment will have a range of up to 2000ft./606m on 2mbps FH wireless LANs, and up to 1500ft/450m on 11mbps DS installations. The product supports a number of desirable configurations including the RS-232 industry standard serial port clients attached to servers; remote Ethernet clients; wired Ethernet-to-serial connection when no radio is installed; and point-to-point serial hops.

The product is currently available for North America direct from Symbol or through certified resellers. Specific Symbol wireless LAN adapters are not included.