Socket, Intermec and O'Neil Team Partner to Develop the First PDA-to-Mobile Printer Embedded Bluetooth Solution

Socket Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:SCKT) (PSE:SOK), has teamed with Intermec Technologies Corp., a UNOVA Inc. company (NYSE:UNA), and O'Neil Product Development to develop the first integrated PDA-to-mobile printer embedded Bluetooth(TM) 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.

For more information on embedded Bluetooth or mobile printing, visit www.socketcom.com, www.intermec.com, or www.oneilinc.com.

[ Home | Contact | MobiChat | Experts database | Let's do it ]

Comments to the content of this page can be posted on the MobiChat discussion group