IBM And Symbol Form Alliance To Provide Wireless And Mobile
Computing Solutions
Synergies To Focus On New Applications In Increasingly Mobile
Landscape For Supply Chain Logistics, Field Service Automation,
Consumer Product Goods Delivery, Postal and Package Forwarding and
Security
HOLTSVILLE, NY -- December 10, 2001 -- Symbol Technologies, Inc.,
the global leader in mobile data transaction systems, announced today
that it has formed an alliance with International Business Machines
Corporation, the global leader in integrated e-Business services and
applications, to design, implement and provide comprehensive mobile
computing systems using wireless
local area networking (LAN), wireless wide area networking (WAN)
and wireless personal area networking (PAN).
The Symbol/IBM alliance will integrate mobile computing devices
with a suite of wireless e-business applications and services to
deliver enhanced productivity, operational efficiencies, customer
service and competitive advantage through the use of application
specific mobile and wireless technology. Targeted industries include
Field Service Automation, Consumer Product Goods Delivery Operations,
Logistics Supply Chain, Postal and Package Forwarding and Security.
"Wireless mobility applications within these kind of vertical
enterprises continue to dominate Wi-Fi
(802.11b) wireless LAN adoption worldwide. Customers are finding
definitive ROI from the combined deployment of standard based wireless
technology and ubiquitous mobile computing platforms," said Sarah
Kim, Analyst, Mobile/Wireless, Yankee Group. "The Symbol and IBM
alliance will help their respective customers simplify wireless LAN
solutions in this increasingly complex market."
The relationship combines Symbol's bar
code scanning and wireless mobile computing technologies, an
extensive partner network, proven solutions
and a broad base of vertical expertise with IBM's global reach,
extensive resources, large scale e-Business expertise and world-class
service and support.
"The intent of this agreement is to proliferate mobile and
wireless applications on a large scale and enterprise level,"
said Tomo Razmilovic,
president and CEO, Symbol Technologies. "By combining our core
strengths in products, technologies and services, the Symbol/IBM
alliance will provide a level of capabilities our customers have not
seen before in the IT industry. This alliance opens doors to numerous
new opportunities."
"The combination of Symbol's and IBM's deep wireless
e-business expertise gives companies a strong team to help them reap
the productivity benefits of wireless systems," said Dean
Douglas, general manager, wireless e-business, IBM Global Services.
"Together we offer years of wireless experience and top
technology."
IBM and Symbol have set up a "Project Office," which will
train both companies' professionals on each others capabilities
specifically to aid and support the sales and implementation of the
joint mobile and wireless e-Business solutions agreement.
Mobileinfo Comments & Advisory: This agreement is
good for customers because it combines the strengths of Symbol and IBM
in their respective areas. While IBM has offerings in retail sector,
it recognizes that many enterprise customers in the retail industry
prefer Symbol's products. IBM also does not have 802.11b product
solution optimized for the retail industry. Symbol realizes that it must expand its
marketing reach through IBM's Global Solutions division. Symbol is
also pragmatic in understanding that supply chain software and
business integration is not an easy. As a matter of principle, we encourage
"best-of-breed" product components integrated into large
backend enterprise systems through superior systems integration
capabilities of a capable vendor. This one seems to fit our criteria.
Symbol should benefit from this one.
