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Intermec Compact, Powerful Intellitag RFID Handle Reader for Popular 700 Series Handheld Computer Available in Europe in First Half of 2004

Tuesday, 16-Sep-2003 12:01PM PDT
    
Story from Intermec Technologies via BizWire
Copyright 2003 by Business Wire (via ClariNet)

EVERETT, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 16, 2003--

Brings Power of Radio Frequency Identification to Mobile Workers


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Intermec Technologies Corp. today announced European availability of its Intellitag(R) IP3, a new radio frequency identification (RFID) reader configured as an accessory handle for the company's popular 700 Series Pocket PC mobile computer. The Intellitag IP3, introduced in the U.S. in June, adds the ability to read and write to Intellitag RFID tags to all Intermec 700 Series Color mobile computers. European availability is scheduled for the first half of 2004.

The IP3 supports Intermec's commitment to products and services that allow companies to integrate RFID capabilities into existing data collection systems. The Intermec 700 Series is the only family of mobile computers in the marketplace to combine three radio communication capabilities -- including a wireless local area (802.11b) radio, a GPRS/CDMA wide area network radio and a fully integrated power-managed Bluetooth (TM) radio -- with bar code scanning and an RFID reader in a single device set.

"These capabilities give our European customers the clear advantage of a comprehensive communication device without the need to buy separate units for each task," said Intermec Director Dan Bodnar.

Intermec's expertise in real-world RFID implementations and its knowledge about building rugged information devices are reflected in the IP3's core design. Like all Intermec products, the durability and ergonomics required for rugged mobile computing are designed into every aspect of the IP3. The snap-on, high-impact plastic and magnesium trigger handle reader comes packaged with its own rechargeable battery pack for a full shift's worth of work.

"Intermec is the one company to offer a truly integrated approach," said Intermec Vice President Scott Medford. "From our RFID readers to the expertise of our professional services organization, Intermec's strength is the ability to offer one, integrated system. We call it 'RFID that works.'"

RFID, a complement to industry's current bar code-based tracking systems, allows companies to automatically track inventory throughout an entire supply chain. RFID automatic data collection does not require line of sight or manual scanning as do bar code-based systems. For example, information from RFID-tagged cases on a pallet can be read automatically as the entire load passes through a doorway, rather than requiring individual case bar code scanning. Intermec's Intellitag RFID technology adds the capability to change and update the information on each tag as it proceeds, providing new levels of up-to-date information for better decision making.

Intermec RFID products are already being used in a multitude of applications around the world from manufacturing, food processing, security and logistics applications in the United States, to retail and logistics applications in Europe, to bio-hazard waste management in Africa to transportation systems in Japan. Intermec has the world's widest range of UHF readers and tags systems, including systems certified for operation in the United States at 915 MHz and 2.45GHz, in Europe at 869MHz (meeting narrow-band requirements) and in Japan meeting 2.45GHz frequency regulations.

In fact, it was Intermec's own experience with RFID implementations that led to development of the IP3. Although one of the benefits of RFID is automatic inventory tracking, there occasionally is the need to find a particular tagged case or pallet.

Intermec Intellitag RFID systems support all applicable current and evolving standards, providing powerful investment protection. Intermec technologies and products already are compatible with the emerging retail-based ePC system definition, said Intermec Director Michael Guillory, who leads Intermec's standards work worldwide. Intermec, a technology sponsor of the Auto ID Center consortium, will introduce ePC-based products as soon as the standard is finalized and published, Guillory said.

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) and mobile computing systems. 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.

To learn more about how companies can benefit from Intermec's technologies and services, contact Intermec Technologies Corp., 6001 36th Ave. West, Everett, WA 98203 USA; telephone 800-347-2636; or visit Intermec's web site at www.intermec.com. To learn more about UNOVA, visit www.unova.com.