Percon Announces Falcon RF Wireless DOS-Based Portable Data Terminal.

EUGENE, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 7, 1997--Percon Incorporated (NASDAQ:PRCN), a leading manufacturer of portable data collection terminals for bar code-based data collection, today announced the availability of its Falcon RF(TM) Portable Data Terminal, the wireless version of its DOS-based portable data terminal introduced earlier this year.

Falcon RF is a hand-held DOS terminal designed to support real-time portable data collection applications. It features 32-bit, 386-based open architecture, user-accessible PC card slot, and DOS 6.22, in an ergonomic, lightweight, and compact design.

Falcon RF portable data terminals include a 2.4 GHz frequency-hopping, spread-spectrum, wireless LAN adapter PC Card, and an integrated dipole, flexible antenna featuring 180-degree rotation. Two wireless PC Cards - Symbol Technologies' Spectrum24(R) and Proxim's RangeLAN2(TM) -- are available with Falcon RF. The product also includes an 8 x 21 backlit graphics display, 41-key keypad, RS-232 serial port, 2MB RAM, and 2 MB flash memory. An optional integrated laser model, for high-performance scanning from three to 36 inches, is also available. And Falcon batch units can be upgraded to RF, through the addition of a PC Card and antenna.

Falcon RF also features advanced power management, enabling full-shift operation (8+ hours) on a single charge in most applications. Falcon RF's battery options include alkaline and rechargeable NiCad and NiMH.

"With its user-accessible PC card slot, Symbol and Proxim radio options, batch unit upgradeability, network drivers and protocol stacks and a range of optional access points and antennas, Falcon RF offers users the greatest amount of flexibility when implementing an RF-based data collection system," says David Latimer, vice president of product marketing. "Advanced power management, high throughput radio options, 32-bit performance, and open architecture make Falcon RF the price/performance leader in RF data collection today."

The Falcon RF software offering includes NDIS and ODI network interface card drivers, TCP/IP and SPX/IPX transport protocols, Novell's NETX and VLM network redirectors, site survey tools, and sample configuration files, along with a utility program for downloading software and configuration files. A complete range of terminal emulation solutions, including VT, HP, 3270, and 5250, are available from third party vendors.

Accessories for Falcon RF include access points, antennas, and mounting brackets. In addition, the Falcon Dock is available to recharge the batteries and/or to provide a connection for serial communications between the unit and the host computer or terminal. An optional battery charger is also available for faster battery recharging.

Falcon RF is available only through certified resellers. To become certified, resellers must be committed to providing pre-sale and post-sale support for Falcon RF including system design, software development, site survey, installation, and service.

Wireless Applications

Wireless data collection applications for Falcon RF are found in retail, warehouse, transportation and logistics, manufacturing, and health care - for functions such as inventory management, picking and put away, shipping and receiving, package tracking, incoming inspection, asset tracking, and patient point-of-care.

Benefits of Real-time Data Collection

Wireless data communication enables data collected to be available when and where it is needed. Multiple users can access the same data at the same time. And host databases can be accessed in real time, allowing the user to confirm and edit transactions as they occur. With the use of wireless technology, overall operational efficiencies are gained through improved accuracy, reduced risk (due to potential loss of batch data), and improved productivity.

Suggested list prices for Falcon RF range from $2,395, for a Spectrum24 unit with no integrated laser, to $3,295 for a RangeLAN2 unit with integrated laser. Falcon RF units will be available for immediate shipment. Falcon RF features a one-year warranty with Extended and Quick Replacement warranties also available.

Percon develops, manufactures and markets data collection and data management products including fixed-station and integrated decoders, hand-held scanners, portable data terminals and data management application software for the worldwide automatic identification ("Auto ID") market. The company's products are used principally in point-of-sale and point-of-service applications in a variety of industries, including retail, education, manufacturing, health care and package delivery. They provide a rapid, accurate, and efficient means to collect, process, transmit, record, and manage data. The company sells its products through a worldwide network of domestic and international distributors, value-added resellers ("VARs"), OEMs, and systems integrators.

For more information contact Percon at [phone], [phone], or by fax at [phone]. Information about the company's products and services is also available on the World Wide Web at http://www.percon.com .

CONTACT: Percon Incorporated

Beth Daniels, 541/302-5312