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 (WiFiTM) 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 Vice President Pam
Cory. "Combining SymPhone software with the 700 Series promises to add a
new level of utility."
"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® 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® 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.
