Symbol Announce Strategic Relationship - Development and Supply Contract
Exceeds $14 Million and Provides
New Windows CE-Based Computer to Transportation Industry -
LAS VEGAS, March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- QUALCOMM Incorporated (Nasdaq:
QCOM) and Symbol Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: SBL) today announced the
formation of a strategic relationship to deliver a mobile vehicle computer and
integrated technology solutions to the transportation industry. The
development and supply contract, which exceeds $14 million and was signed
by QUALCOMM Wireless Business Solutions and Symbol, is to date, the
largest implementation of Windows(R) CE computers for a vertical market.
Commercial availability is projected for the first quarter of 2000.
The yet-to-be-named computer is being co-developed by QUALCOMM
Wireless Business Solutions and Symbol to allow for simplified programming
and customization directly by the customer. Utilizing the common application
programming interface of Windows CE, specific business operations such as
rolling ETAs, inventory control programs or driver logs can be created and
added to a customer's portfolio of operational efficiency tools without
extensive integration and operating issues. Ruggedized to withstand adverse
handling and environmental conditions, the computer is specifically designed
to integrate with QUALCOMM's current satellite-based OmniTRACS(R) mobile
information management system as well as its future terrestrial-based
products. Additionally, with the appropriate software development the
computer will have the capability of communicating via Symbol's Spectrum24
wireless local area network allowing for wireless communication when the
vehicle enters an area, such as a terminal yard, that is equipped with a
Spectrum24 network. "We look forward to providing our current and future
customers with enhanced computing capabilities and flexibility that will give
them the control to develop and integrate business applications without
depending on us or another third party to provide it for them," stated Phil
White, president of QUALCOMM Wireless Business Solutions. "We feel very
confident about working with Symbol for a variety of reasons, especially its
superior reputation, market dominance and financial stability and we hope to
continue working together on other technology solutions going forward."
"Symbol's Logistics Systems business is our fastest growing market
segment," said Tomo Razmilovic, president and chief operating officer of
Symbol Technologies. "Our strategic partnership with QUALCOMM to provide
a comprehensive in-truck information technology solution is an example of
Symbol teaming with a world-class integrator and solution provider."
Symbol's Logistics Systems, based in Atlanta, provides solutions integrating
the Company's proven expertise in wireless mobile computing and 1D and 2D
bar code scanning along with a global network of partners. LOMAS is the
Symbol-developed software collaboration architecture that provides the
industry with a fully integrated logistics solution.
Symbol Technologies Inc. is a global leader in mobile data management
systems with innovative customer solutions based on wireless local area
networking for data and voice communications, application-specific mobile
computing and bar code data capture. Symbol's wireless LAN solutions are
installed at more than 30,000 customer locations worldwide and support more
than six million Symbol scanners and application-specific mobile
scanner-integrated computer systems. Symbol provides point-of-activity
computing solutions for retailing, transportation and distribution logistics,
parcel and postal delivery, healthcare, manufacturing and other industries.
Customer information is available from Symbol at 1-800-SCAN-234 and at
symbol.com.
With over 270,000 OmniTRACS units sold worldwide, QUALCOMM Wireless
Business Solutions is the leading provider of mobile communications and
information management systems to the transportation industry. QUALCOMM
currently has systems operating in the United States, Canada, Europe,
Russia, Middle East, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and China.
QUALCOMM Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM) is a leader in developing and
delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services
based on the Company's CDMA digital technology. The Company's major
business areas include CDMA phones; integrated CDMA chipsets and
system software; wireless infrastructure; technology licensing; and
satellite-based systems including OmniTRACS(R) and portions of the
Globalstar(TM) system. QUALCOMM is headquartered in San Diego, Calif.
QUALCOMM's fiscal 1998 revenues exceeded U.S. $3 billion. For more
information, please visit the Company's web site at
qualcomm.com.
Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release
contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties,
including timely product development, the Company's ability to successfully
manufacture significant quantities of CDMA or other equipment on a timely and
profitable basis, and those related to performance guarantees, change in
economic conditions of the various markets the Company serves, as well as
the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports,
including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 27, 1998, and
most recent Form 10-Q.
QUALCOMM and OmniTRACS are registered trademarks of QUALCOMM
Incorporated. Globalstar is a trademark of Loral QUALCOMM Satellite
Services, Incorporated. All other company and product names are
trademarks of their respective holders. SOURCE QUALCOMM Incorporated |
