RFID and mobile computing vendor Intermec today introduced two rugged, 3G wireless-based mobile computers for field service applications. The CN4 is an upgrade of the company’s CN3 family, and the CN50 is a new entry in the company’s product portfolio.
At the same time, Intermec introduced enhanced mobile document imaging (EMDI) technology, available as an option on both devices.
The CN50, which company executives billed as a “game-changing” new class of mobile device, is said to be small, lightweight, and feature-rich. Its multi-processor architecture makes it suitable for data-intensive applications, according to a company statement. The device “enables expanded business processes at the point of service,” said Earl Thompson, senior vice president of Intermec’s Mobile Solutions Business Unit, on a webcast this morning.
The CN50 is based on 3.75G WWAN HSUPA radio technology and features high-speed downlink and uplink capability. Users can program the unit to work on HSUPA, UMTS, or CDMA networks, giving them greater flexibility in choosing carriers or supporting mixed networks with standard hardware. The CN50 is specified for five-foot drops, making it suitable for rugged environments where mobile workers need to be connected in real-time to enterprise applications, the company said in its statement.
Meanwhile, the CN4, with 3.5G wireless technology, runs on UMTS and CDMA networks. It has a six-foot drop specification, making it suitable for the most rugged front-line environments where computing and advanced wireless capability are needed, such as field service, work order, and postal delivery services, Thompson said.
The CN4 is compatible with a wide range of printers and accessories for in-vehicle or stand-alone use, and shares system software and accessories with Intermec’s CN3 series, providing a low cost of ownership for users upgrading to the new device. An extended keyboard model is also offered.
Both devices have built-in GPS, WiFi, and Bluetooth capabilities and voice and video functionality.
The EMDI document imaging technology lets users convert full-page paper documents into electronic files at the point of transaction and transmit them on the spot. The technology works indoors and outdoors, the company said, and is compatible with most major document imaging systems. Among the advantages that Intermec executives noted were reduced paperwork and time saved in processing. For example, after completing a delivery, a driver could scan and submit a document for immediate invoicing.
Patrick J. Byrne, Intermec president and CEO, said the new devices “enable the power of the enterprise to be brought to the doorstep.” With expanding mobile applications, users can increase their return on mobile infrastructure investments by increasing their revenue and lowering their costs, officials said.
Both products will be available for volume shipments in the third quarter of 2009.