MOB P.C

Psion Teklogix Adds Ruggedness, More Features To Evolving WORKABOUT PRO Product Line

In response to positive feedback from customers and reseller partners worldwide, Psion Teklogix (LSE: PON), a global provider of solutions for mobile computing, wireless data collection, imaging and RFID, unveiled today the latest enhancement to the WORKABOUT PRO product line of wireless handheld computers.

The next-generation WORKABOUT PRO, more rugged and more feature-rich than its predecessor, enables mobile workers to significantly change the wireless handheld device in the field, as their work requirements evolve over time.

The new device comes in two flavours: WORKABOUT PRO C and WORKABOUT PRO S. The WORKABOUT PRO C has an alphanumeric keyboard with 52 keys, and WORKABOUT PRO S comes with 25 keys.

Psion Teklogix is leveraging existing expansion modules from the first generation WORKABOUT PRO, which are fully compatible with the new generation, offering additional investment protection to customers and resellers around the world.

The new WORKABOUT PRO supports a variety of field installable expansion modules including scanners, imagers, RFID modules, Wireless LAN (WLAN) Wireless WAN (WWAN) radios, and more.

Building on the flexibility of the WORKABOUT PRO, Psion Teklogix offers a Hardware Developer’s Kit (HDK) that allows customers and partners to develop their own custom expansion modules to address their unique business needs. Some examples include expansion modules that take fingerprints, read cattle ear tags, and scan passports.

“The new WORKABOUT PRO was built in response to the great success of the first generation. We listened to our customers and let them drive the new features of this new generation handheld device,” said Rob Vandervecht, vice-president, marketing at Psion Teklogix. “The new version builds on the modularity of the first generation WORKABOUT PRO for field upgradeability, and third party hardware development.”

Jacky Lecuivre, CEO, at Psion Teklogix added, “We believe that this approach offers a competitive advantage to our customers and partners, as they are empowered to adapt quickly, and protect their investment as their business processes evolve over time.”

The WORKABOUT PRO can function as a data capture device and a cellular phone, allowing mobile workers to call customers, upload route maps, send data back to office headquarters – all with only one mobile device.

By enabling workers to perform multiple tasks while remote from the enterprise, the WORKABOUT PRO can help drive improvements to operational efficiency. Ultimately, these productivity gains translate into increased profitability.

An ergonomic and compact, yet rugged handheld computer, the new WORKABOUT PRO supports Microsoft Embedded CE 5.0 or Windows Mobile 6, offering Psion Teklogix customers worldwide a choice of operating systems with enhanced software development capability.

“Windows Mobile helps businesses mobilize their workforce in order to boost productivity and save resources,” said Chuck Sabin, Senior Product Manager at Microsoft Corp. “We are pleased that Psion Teklogix has integrated Windows Mobile software into its new rugged handheld device, giving customers the flexibility they need to be productive on the go even in the most extreme conditions.”

The new WORKABOUT PRO withstands 26 drops from five feet to polished concrete as well as the shock and vibration consistent with mounting in a truck or a forklift. The device is also rated to IP65, protecting it against dust and water sprayed from all directions.

Another key feature of the new WORKABOUT PRO is its full VGA colour display. This new display provides improved graphics capability, allowing a field worker to see finer details in maps or schematics in most lighting conditions, including direct sunlight.