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[October 10, 2001]
Socket, Intermec, O'Neil Partner To Develop
PDA-To-Mobile Printer Embedded Bluetooth Solution
Socket Communications Inc. has
teamed with Intermec Technologies
Corp., a UNOVA Inc. company, and O'Neil
Product Development to develop the first integrated PDA-to-mobile
printer embedded Bluetooth solution. This rugged, cordless mobile
printing system is ideal for delivery service companies who must print
transaction records and other delivery data in the field.
Plans to deploy the system to a delivery service company for testing
in the field are currently underway. Participants in this trial program
will provide feedback before release of the final product, expected
prior to year-end.
The integrated system uses Intermec's 700 Series Pocket PC handheld
computer and 781T mobile belt-clip printers. O'Neil supplies the 781T
mobile printer to Intermec under a separate agreement. Socket provides
Bluetooth modules and software to both Intermec and O'Neil.
Bluetooth is a high-speed, low-power microwave wireless link
technology, designed to easily connect phones, laptops, PDAs and other
portable equipment.
"During the trial program, delivery drivers' standard equipment
will be replaced with a handheld computer from Intermec and an O'Neil
ruggedized mobile printer, both equipped with Bluetooth modules and
software from Socket. This cordless mobile printing system is designed
to remove the tangle of cables delivery drivers typically face when
processing, transmitting, and printing delivery data for their
customers," said Mike Colwell, Intermec vice president of Solutions
Marketing.
Without the need to connect cables to various pieces of equipment
throughout a workday, drivers will be able to improve efficiency during
each delivery. Using a Bluetooth-enabled delivery and receipt system,
drivers can complete an order, then transmit the order and delivery
information to a Bluetooth printer, offering customers a transaction
record on the spot.
"We believe the cordless mobile printing business is going to be
big," said O'Neil Chief Executive Tim O'Neil. "The planned
trial program is just the beginning. We anticipate implementing
Bluetooth into a number of our future mobile printers."
"A PDA-to-mobile printer Bluetooth solution is a good use of our
Bluetooth technology, as both devices remain in close proximity to each
other. We teamed with Intermec and O'Neil, both leaders in their fields,
to leverage each company's respective technical and market
strengths," said Len Ott, Chief Technical Officer at Socket.
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