Symbol Technologies and BARTEC Unveil Explosion-Protected Mobile Computers for Hazardous Environments

HOLTSVILLE, N.Y., and BAD MERGENTHEIM, Germany, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Symbol Technologies, Inc. , The Enterprise Mobility Company(TM), today announced a partnership with BARTEC, the leading provider of products and services for hazardous environments, to deliver explosion-protected (Ex) versions of Symbol MC9000 ruggedized mobile computers. Designed for deployment in hazardous industrial locations where flammable gases may be present, the MC9060(Ex)-G and MC9060(Ex)-K mobile computers deliver increased productivity and improved operational efficiencies for customers in the environmental protection, chemical, oil, pharmaceutical, natural gas, plant engineering, transportation and energy industries.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041029/SYMBOLOGO )

"Symbol's relationship with BARTEC expands our rugged mobile computer portfolio and enables us to meet the needs of customers seeking a versatile mobile computer for hazardous conditions," said Chuck Dourlet, vice president of mobile computing, Symbol Technologies. "The explosion-protected MC9060(Ex) mobile computer provides competitive advantage by offering customers access to business-essential applications including plant operations, asset management, and fleet management at the point of activity."

Based on Symbol's flagship MC9000 mobile computer platform, the MC9060(Ex) mobile computers offer flexibility and reliability to organizations with integrated bar code scanning and local 802.11b wireless connectivity along with drop specifications of four feet to concrete. The explosion-protected mobile computers are available in two models, one certified by the North American Underwriters Laboratory (UL) for Class I, Division 1, Groups C, D classified areas and one certified to meet the European Union's safety standards for hazardous locations (ATEX) for Zone 1 classified areas.

"When we decided to dedicate considerable resources to the development of mobile devices certified for hazardous areas we were only interested in working with the best products on the market," said Ralph Koester, chief executive officer, BARTEC, "Symbol is the market leader with a reputation for delivering feature-rich rugged mobile computers. We are already seeing significant interest in explosion-protected versions of the MC9060."

The MC9060(Ex) mobile computers are currently available to order around the world from BARTEC and Symbol's partner community.

About Symbol Technologies

Symbol Technologies, Inc., The Enterprise Mobility Company(TM), 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. More information is available at http://www.symbol.com/.

About BARTEC

BARTEC, the world's leading provider of products and services for hazardous environments, designs and manufactures innovative components, systems and solutions which are tested and certified to international standards for use in potentially explosive or hazardous atmospheres. Safety components from BARTEC fulfill the required European standards (ATEX) as well as international guidelines and regulations. More information is available at http://www.bartec-group.com/.

For Symbol Technologies: For media information: Traci Hoch Symbol Technologies, Inc. 631.738.5426 traci.hoch@symbol.com Danielle Richichi Edelman Public Relations for Symbol Technologies 212.819.4804 danielle.richichi@edelman.com For financial information: Lori Chaitman/Nancy Coco Symbol Technologies, Inc. 631.738.5050 lori.chaitman@symbol.com For industry analyst information: Shirley Schroedl Symbol Technologies, Inc. 631.738.4823 shirley.schroedl@symbol.com