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Press Release 2001
(Source
- Vendor Press Release slightly modified by MobileInfo.Com)
Symbol Mobile Computers On The Ground With U.S. Marine Corps
Symbol PDT 7240 Rugged Mobile Computers Used In Vital Logistics
Role In Rapidly Deploying and Sustaining U.S. Fighting Forces
HOLTSVILLE, NY -- December 11, 2001 -- Deploying the military in
times of crisis is a difficult and complex undertaking – not to
mention the demanding operational logistics requirements involved in
getting the appropriate supplies, munitions, spare parts and meals to
the forces on the ground. Enter Symbol Technologies with its line of ruggedized
wireless mobile computers,
specifically designed for extreme environments and used in supply
chain management by some of the largest organizations around the
world.
Symbol has provided the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) with thousands of
its rugged PDT
7240 mobile computers with
integrated bar code scanning and wireless local area network
communications to accurately track, manage and deploy the thousands of
tons of supplies it takes to help Marines fight and win. Mobile
computing based logistical solutions for military and Federal civilian
agency use are part of a contract awarded to Symbol
by the Department of the Defense.
As Marines are deployed, so are the supplies and services needed to
sustain these fighting forces. An extensive operational infrastructure
supports the supply, transport, maintenance, inventory and
replenishment of equipment and gear to locations all over the globe.
Maintenance facilities, food and munitions warehouses, and package
handling systems are just some of the links that need to operate in an
efficient and timely manner in a logistics system required to support
Marine Expeditionary Units – whenever and wherever they may be sent.
"Our Marines need to be focused on their military goals and we
need to ensure that they have the proper tools and supplies to
accomplish their objectives," said Captain Gary Clement, AIT
Project Officer of the Marine Corps Systems Command out of Quantico,
Virginia. "As part of our Embarkation Program, we've been tasked
with injecting an automatic identification system into the existing
Logistics System infrastructure to ensure accurate and precise
inventory tracking. Symbol's ruggedized mobile computers have been
extremely useful in accomplishing this task."
"The Marines are bringing our equipment into battle with them
in order to be assured that their logistics needs are met. There's no
greater compliment or testament to the products' ability and
reliability," said Brian O'Donnell, Vice President, Government
Programs Symbol Technologies. "Our core products – rugged
mobile computing, wireless LANs and bar code scanning – bring speed
and accuracy to any kind of conditions to logistics support and are
ideal for any branch of the military."
At major USMC logistics bases located in the United States, the
PDT 7240s are used to capture bar
coded information printed on durable polyester labels. The scanned
data is then communicated over a Spectrum24®
wireless network for real time
data transfer and inventory accountability. In Theaters of Operations,
inventory is tracked using the PDT 7240s and communicated back to a
mobile server housed in a wireless laptop. Both provide a way to
quickly, accurately and efficiently collect data in what would
otherwise be a labor intensive, time consuming, and error-prone
paper-based exercise.
The Marine Corps chose the PDT 7240s due to its rugged
handle-forward design, ideal for scan-intensive applications, and its
flexibility in data-intensive, time-sensitive environments. The PDT
7240 has a large touch-screen display that accommodates a virtual
keypad and it is environmentally sealed against windblown dust and
rain, up to IP54 specifications while withstanding repetitive drops to
concrete surfaces. Initial programming was based on the DOS operating
system using the MCL Collection software suite
provided by ZETES Technologies, although future plans include moving
towards Windows CE based programming. The PDT 7240 accommodates a
PCMCIA slot for wireless LAN connectivity as well as 2D scanning
capabilities to read the PDF 417 symbology commonly employed in tracking military vehicles.
This article in no way implies endorsement of products, services,
events or organizations related to Symbol Technologies, Inc. by the
United States Marine Corps, nor any other component of the Department
of Defense.
Mobileinfo Comments & Advisory: This is an
important, symbolic and timely win for Symbol in post September 9,
2001 period..
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