Mobile Computers offer voice calling.
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Press Release Summary:
Series 700 Pocket PC handheld mobile computers, with SymPhone System Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Internet telephony software, allow users to operate products as phones that can make/receive peer-to-peer voice calls over IEEE 802.11b (WiFi) wireless LANs. With optional SymPhone Call Server and SymPhone PBX Connector, users can connect to calls via company PBX or public switched telephone networks. Units also connect to store intercoms.
Original Press Release:
Intermec Adds Voice Calling to Model 700 Series Mobile Computers
Software provides Voice-over IP capabilities on 802.11b Wireless LANs
EVERETT, Wash., Jan. 13, 2003 - Intermec Technologies Corp. today announced it has licensed the SymPhone System, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Internet telephony software created by TeleSym Inc. SymPhone transforms Intermec's innovative 700 Series Pocket PC handheld mobile computer into a phone that can make and receive peer-to-peer voice calls over standard IEEE 802.11b (WiFi") wireless LANs.
With the optional SymPhone Call Server and SymPhone PBX Connector, users can make and receive calls through a company PBX, as well as over public switched telephone networks.
The SymPhone system's high quality telephone and intercom capabilities allow workers to stay connected anywhere, whether on a retail store floor, in a warehouse or on a production line, boosting productivity by reducing the time spent running to a wired phone to make a call or respond to a page. For example, since the voice calling application co-exists with other applications on the 700 Series, retail workers have the ability to look up data such as pricing, stock availability and stock location while also communicating via the VoIP software. Clerks can remain accessible to answer questions, make decisions, and take customer requests, whether on the floor or in the back room, improving customer service.
"TeleSym has created an inexpensive, easy-to-use system that allows users to become more productive immediately," said Intermec Product Manager Karen Pearson. "Combining SymPhone software with the 700 Series promises to add a new level of utility to the 700 Series."
"Employees in most fields can be more productive when they can talk to co-workers without being tied to a desktop phone," said Raju Gulabani, TeleSym chief executive officer. "Intermec is an established leader in providing computing mobility, and our software adds the value of mobile voice communications. At the same time, TeleSym gains a valued distribution channel, enabling Intermec's channel partners worldwide to recommend and install SymPhone for their enterprise customers."
The system takes advantage of existing wireless networks already deployed in many companies, simplifying infrastructure and management by combining voice and data traffic on the same wireless network.
When deployed using Intermec's MobileLAN(R) wireless networks featuring IP tunneling and data tunneling capabilities, mobile workers can roam anywhere throughout an enterprise even across subnets and maintain a network connection and maximum quality of service for voice calls.
Providing voice and computing capabilities in a single handheld device such as the 700 Series is designed to help companies reduce costs by eliminating separate walkie-talkies, cell phones and pagers. Since the software allows calling to any enterprise location connected via the wireless LAN, companies also can save on telecommunications expenses for calls between facilities.
Under the agreement, Intermec and its partners and distributors will become providers of the SymPhone System, which includes the software components required to connect voice calls between handheld computing devices and to and from the public network. The SymPhone client upgrade kit is available immediately from Intermec at a list price of $155.
About the 700 Series
The Intermec 700 Series of handheld computers provides the flexibility to choose among many widely available software applications and development tools. With its rugged design, Intermec has provided real-time mobility in a reliable and easy-to-use handheld computer that can take the abuse of industrial, mobile and retail environments.
The 700 Series includes broad support for wireless communications, wide area networking, and Ethernet connectivity. Designed from the ground up for use in harsh environments, the 700 Series withstands multiple 5-ft. (1.5 m) drops to concrete and is sealed against rain and dust to IP64 standards. An IrDA port and optional external modem provide further options for data transfer, and its touch screen, alphanumeric keypad and integrated linear or PDF417 bar code scanner options provide flexible data input and electronic signature capture capability.
About Intermec
Intermec Technologies Corp., a UNOVA Inc. (NYSE:UNA) company, is a leader in global supply chain solutions and in the development, manufacture and integration of wired and wireless automated data collection, Intellitag(R) RFID (radio frequency identification), mobile computing systems, bar code printers and label media. The company's products and services are used by customers in many industries to improve productivity, quality and responsiveness of business operations, from supply chain management and enterprise resource planning to field sales and service. For further information, visit www.intermec.com.
About TeleSym
TeleSym (www.telesym.com), Bellevue, Wash., is developing next-generation technology for wireless IP telephony. TeleSym's software delivers high-quality, cost-effective voice communications over wireless enterprise networks, enhancing the ways mobile workers communicate. TeleSym's goal is to become the worldwide leader in advanced software solutions for wireless voice-over-IP.
TeleSym and SymPhone are registered trademarks of TeleSym Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
