Symbol Introduces New Rugged Handheld Computers with Worldwide GPRS Communications -- Ideal for Growing Mobile Workforce.

Business Editors

CeBIT 2003

HOLTSVILLE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 12, 2003

Symbol Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:SBL), a global leader in enterprise mobility solutions, announced today at the CeBIT trade show and exposition in Hannover, Germany, two rugged handheld computers featuring advanced GPRS wide area network communications.

The PDT 8037 and PDT 8056 are ideal for logistics applications throughout the supply chain, especially route accounting and field service automation, where instantaneous access to mission-critical information is essential to the mobile workforce.

The new computers extend the functionality of the Symbol PDT 8000, adding GPRS (data and GSM voice) to the integrated bar code scanning and wireless communications capabilities available today. The GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) network is a packet data switching overlay to the GSM (Global Systems for Mobile Communications) network, the worldwide standard for digital wireless transmissions.

The Symbol PDT 8037 joins the Symbol PDT 8137 and Symbol PPT 2837 to form a broad and complete line of Microsoft Windows Pocket PC-based and GPRS-enabled mobile computing products.

In addition to GPRS functionality, the PDT 8056 provides dual-mode connectivity incorporating 802.11b wireless local area network communications. This solution enables a user to seamlessly alternate between LAN and GPRS communications, making it cost effective.

"Our rugged handheld computers are proving to be the devices of choice for a growing number of global customers with a mobile workforce," said Barry Issberner, vice president, vertical marketing, Symbol Technologies. "The GPRS versions offer important customer capability by providing vital information to the point of decision, no matter where that may be."

Growing Mobile Workforce

Studies by industry analysts predict the steady growth of enterprise mobility applications and application-specific mobile computing, including the tripling of device usage and more than doubling of corporate mobile deployments in the next three years.

The Symbol PDT 8037 and 8056, which run on the advanced Intel 400 Mhz XScale processor, are highly versatile devices with a large color display (3.9 inch, 1/4 VGA), an integrated bar code scanner and are built to withstand real-world conditions: They are tested to repeated five-foot drops to concrete and are sealed against dust and moisture (to industry standard IP54). Additional features include a user-accessible SD (Security Digital) or MMC (Multimedia) card slot supporting backup memory cards for data recovery and an internal GPRS antenna. The Symbol PDT 8037 also features a user-accessible CompactFlash slot that supports memory and Bluetooth communications cards. A complete line of complementary accessories and peripherals are available, including an in-vehicle cradle.

For more information about the PDT 8000 product line, visit www.symbol.com/products/mobile_computers/mobile_pdt8000.html.

Symbol Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:SBL), founded in 1975, is a global leader in secure mobile information systems that integrate application-specific hand-held computers with wireless networks for data and voice and bar code data capture. Symbol products and services increase productivity and reduce costs for the world's leading retailers, logistics and transportation companies, government agencies, manufacturers and providers of healthcare, hospitality and security. More information is available at www.symbol.com and 1-800-722-6234 or 631-738-2400.