FedEx Enhances Wireless Solutions

Adds Reliability, Convenience for Today's On-the-Go Work Force

Hand-held technologies offer customers, employees access to information anytime, anyplace for greater efficiency, productivity

FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) reinforced its leadership in wireless information technology this week by rolling out its next generation of electronic services to make shipping information available anytime, anywhere to customers and employees.

FedEx, in an alliance with w-Technologies, Inc., a global provider of wireless software products, expanded the reach of fedex.com to most types of hand-held devices, making it faster and easier for customers to access real-time package status tracking information and to identify the nearest drop-off locations. Vicinity Corp. (Nasdaq:VCNT), a leading provider of location-based and content services, developed the application protocol interface (API) for the robust drop-off information.

"FedEx long ago realized that information about a package is as important as the package itself," said Mike Glenn, executive vice president, market development and corporate communications at FedEx Corporation. "Since FedEx became the first to offer package-tracking information online, it has remained a global leader in putting information technology to work. We recognize an expanding mobile work force will drive the rapid growth of hand-held devices, and we will continue to offer leading-edge technology that helps customers and employees conveniently manage the movement of packages."

Competitive advantage

The convenience of this newest wireless technology employed by FedEx is superior to that of most shipping companies because:

-- It is available through most Web-enabled devices, including

mobile telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and

two-way pagers.

-- The wireless applications are free and easily accessible to

all FedEx customers often without the need to navigate a

cumbersome registration process.

Cell phone users simply key in mobile.fedex.com to begin using these FedEx wireless services. RIM Pager or PDA users can download the FedEx Wireless Solutions application from http://www.fedex.com/us/ebusiness/wireless.

Wireless FedEx Work Force

FedEx plans to follow this newest mobile-business solution with additional wireless solutions for its customers and for its tens of thousands of couriers, contractors and other on-the-go professionals. The new features promise to boost employees' efficiency, productivity and access to rich information while cutting costs.

Thousands of customers are planned to benefit as more than 50,000 couriers and contractors begin going online for real-time communication with the company even when they are away from their delivery vans. Sales professionals and other employees are planned to be able to log on to wireless local area networks for access to databases and faster information updates that can broaden the range of possible solutions for their customers.

"The trend in the wireless data industry is to move desktop applications out to the mobile worker in order to increase work efficiencies," said Tole Hart, senior analyst, mobile communications at Dataquest/Gartner. "Companies that are able to effectively increase the efficiency of the mobile worker will gain a competitive advantage."

Customers of HauteDecor, a New York-based home furnishings Web site, already are seeing the advantages of FedEx wireless technology, said Steve Schweighofer, vice president of fulfillment at HauteDecor.

"The benefits of FedEx wireless technology are visible from the time the order leaves the fulfillment warehouse to final delivery," Schweighofer said. "Wireless allows our customers to monitor their orders' movements at every step along the way, in real time. FedEx was the ideal solution for us."

Pioneer in wireless technology

FedEx pioneered the use of wireless technology for shipping nearly 20 years ago when it began using its Digital Assisted Dispatch System (DADS), one of the world's largest private radio networks. Other benchmarks include:

-- The latest version of the FedEx SuperTracker featuring

infrared data-transmission capability that allows employees to scan and upload package bar codes more quickly using an interface similar to those on many personal digital assistants (PDAs).

-- Technology that made FedEx the first shipping company with package-status tracking information available to customers with hand-held devices.

-- An $80 million data-collection system that gives customers enhanced tracking and delivery information being installed by the FedEx Ground division that includes:

-- On-van computers;

-- New STAR II hand-held scanning computers used to electronically capture signatures and record delivery addresses;

-- Radio-frequency-enabled ring scanners worn by package handlers while loading trailers and vans;

-- A wireless local area network (LAN) at each FedEx Ground facility nationwide.

With annual revenues of $20 billion, FedEx Corp. is the premier
global provider of transportation, freight, e-commerce and supply-chain management services. The company offers integrated business solutions through a network of subsidiaries operating independently, including FedEx Express, the world's largest express transportation company; FedEx Ground, North America's second largest provider of small-package ground delivery service; FedEx Freight, a leading provider of regional less-than-truckload freight services; FedEx Custom Critical, the world's largest provider of expedited, time-critical shipments; and FedEx Trade Networks, a provider of customs brokerage, consulting, information technology and trade facilitation solutions.


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