SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES AND IBM UNITE TO HARVEST INTELLIGENT RFID DATA

SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES AND IBM UNITE TO HARVEST INTELLIGENT RFID DATA

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2006-03-13 HOLTSVILLE, N.Y. and ARMONK, N.Y.

Symbol Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:SBL), The Enterprise Mobility Company™, and IBM today announced Symbol will embed IBM's WebSphere RFID Device Infrastructure (WRDI) on the Symbol XR Series of fixed RFID readers, creating an "intelligent" RFID reader that automates the process of routing and managing incoming data from RFID tags, even from remote locations.

The WRDI capabilities leverage application hosting on Symbol's XR Series RFID readers to deliver capabilities such as on-demand decision-making and reduced network traffic by filtering redundancies and sending only pertinent information to a company's application server. WRDI provides Symbol's XR Series RFID readers with a platform to integrate and reconcile RFID information with data used in other areas of a business. Additionally, WRDI supports the Control I/O on Symbol's XR Series RFID readers to create solutions using other devices such as motion sensors and lights, to activate business processes in their supply and logistics chains.

"The real value of RFID is in the data collected, filtered and analyzed at the point of business activity. By combining IBM's software with Symbol's XR Series RFID readers, we can deliver valuable business intelligence out to managers on the front line," said Anthony Bartolo, vice president and general manager of Symbol’s RFID and Wireless Infrastructure Divisions. "With more than 20 years working together with advanced data capture technologies, embedding IBM's WRDI is a natural extension to align Symbol and IBM's Collaborative Global Market Strategy."

IBM's WRDI software was developed to meet the demand for an embedded open standards-based software platform to provide automatic RFID data collection and reporting from remote locations where on-site IT services are not available. Embedded into Symbol's XR Series readers, the platform allows the reader to route data to an IBM RFID WebSphere Premises Server.

IBM's software makes "radio tagging" a strategic business function to help RFID grow beyond simply exchanging or managing the flow of data. WRDI extracts value from the captured information and can potentially convert that information into an electronic service that can help perform strategic functions. For example, the software can move product or operational information into systems that analyze trends in the supply chain, to identify a company's efficiency or sales trends. As a result, RFID network administrators possess the ability to gain instant and enhanced visibility into RFID-tagged pallets and products. The information is then shared across an integrated retail or consumer supply chain, leading to greater control of inventory levels, reduced network traffic, and potentially, an overall reduction in systems and management costs.

"This new offering demonstrates IBM's continued commitment to partner with Symbol in developing and deploying RFID systems, and to help our customers get the advantages of RFID within new, innovative business processes," said Robert Mayberry, vice president of sensor and actuator solutions, IBM. "The creation of intelligent readers that are able to optimize the benefits of industry-leading, open-standard middleware solutions will provide companies a lens into their supply chain never seen before."

For more information on Symbol's XR Series Readers, visit: RFID Fixed Readers from Symbol. Information on IBM WebSphere RFID Device Infrastructure (WRDI) can be found on IBM's Premises Server page: http://www-306.ibm.com/software/pervasive/ws_rfid_premises_server/. Features and benefits for IBM Premises Server and WRDI: http://www-306.ibm.com/software/pervasive/ws_rfid_premises_server/about/.

About Symbol Technologies

Symbol Technologies, Inc., The Enterprise Mobility Company™, is a recognized worldwide leader in enterprise mobility, delivering products and solutions that capture, move and manage information in real time to and from the point of business activity. Symbol enterprise mobility solutions integrate advanced data capture products, radio frequency identification technology, mobile computing platforms, wireless infrastructure, mobility software and world-class services programs under the Symbol Enterprise Mobility Services brand. Symbol enterprise mobility products and solutions are proven to increase workforce productivity, reduce operating costs, drive operational efficiencies and realize competitive advantages for the world's leading companies.

About IBM

IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. Drawing on resources from across IBM and key business partners, IBM offers a wide range of services, solutions and technologies that enable companies to take full advantage of the on-demand era. For more information about IBM, visit http://www.ibm.com.