Clarinet Systems Works with UPS to Utilize Infrared Technology to Help UPS Drivers Upload Real-Time Information about Their Daily Packages.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 27, 2004

Clarinet Systems is providing their EthIR LAN infrared (IR) wireless LAN access system for UPS drivers' DIAD III (Delivery Information Acquisition Device) handheld computers in UPS facilities around the U.S. Built specifically for UPS by Motorola, UPS uses approximately 70000 DIAD devices in the field, which mostly are DIAD IIIs.

Each DIAD III comes equipped with a 4Mbps Fast Infrared (FIR) port built-in to the top of the unit. This FIR port is used to make the wireless infrared TCP/IP network connection through the Clarinet Systems EthIR LAN system for access to the enterprise-wide UPS network.

The architecture of the EthIR LAN multiport system was the perfect fit for UPS facilities. The 8 or 16-port EthIR Switch (ES208 or ES216), which provides a dedicated 4Mbps of switched bandwidth on each port, is placed in an environmentally protected wiring closet or computing/network equipment rack. Standard category 5 or 6 data wiring is run from the switch up to 100 meters (330 feet) away to EthIR Beam IR access points. UPS uses the outlet box style, wall-mountable EthIR Beams (EB2000) in conjunction with their EthIR LAN switches. The EthIR Beams are placed out in the facilities where it is convenient for drivers to access the system for lightning-fast wireless updates to their delivery manifest information on the DIAD IIIs.

What is the application? UPS has developed the Route Manager (RM) application as part of their overall package preload assist systems, which provides each individual driver the manifest of packages to be delivered and picked up, as well as the route information for most efficiently driving from customer to customer. Each driver has their own DIAD III, which contains unique data for the packages to be picked up, the packages loaded on their vehicle to be delivered, and the specific route for that day. Each morning before heading out of the facilities, multiple UPS drivers, more than 200 in some locations, walk up to conveniently located Clarinet Systems EthIR Beams, connect their DIAD IIIs to the network via infrared and in less than 4 seconds on average, receive their manifest information for the day, complete with up-to-the-minute changes and additions. Information on more than 500 packages can be updated in seconds. This astounding performance is made possible by the efficiency of the UPS-developed RM software and server systems, and the 4Mbps per-port, dedicated, and switched bandwidth available on Clarinet Systems EthIR LAN switches.

In the initial rollout in 2004, UPS plans to install EthIR LAN in approximately 100 operations centers. Up to 1000+ additional centers are planned for similar implementation in 2005. Each EthIR LAN switch comes standard with Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) capability, which is used by UPS to monitor and manage each switch across the country from a central location in UPS' Timonium, MD Information Systems site.

Clarinet Systems is already well known in the healthcare & hospital and medical school & health sciences library markets for EthIR LAN infrared (IR) wireless systems which provide LAN access for physicians, clinicians, staff, faculty, and students for their PDAs, both Palms and PocketPCs. Healthcare software providers such as McKesson, Siemens Medical Systems, Cerner, Patientkeeper, MercuryMD and others, all making PDA/server software applications for healthcare, recommend or resell EthIR LAN. Over 100 hospitals are currently using EhIR LAN for PDA LAN access needed for these applications. Clarinet Systems' current business with UPS represents a foray into an exciting new market segment -- wireless LAN access for the courier and ruggedized handheld computer market. And with UPS, Clarinet Systems has demonstrated EthIR LAN as a valid, cost-effective, and high performance solution for handheld network access as well as successfully working with the preeminent customer in this market segment.