U.S. Forest Service Selects Psion Workabout Pro™ 3 as Mobile Platform for National Forest System

Psion (LSE: PON.L), a global provider of mobile computing solutions, announced today that the Workabout Pro™ 3 has been approved for purchase by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) for use within the National Forest System. The USFS will have the option to order Workabout Pro 3s under the terms of a five-year blanket purchase agreement with Psion partner Handheld Systems Inc. Blanket purchase agreements (BPAs) enable federal agencies in the U.S. to establish ongoing agreements for repetitive orders to help meet recurring needs for supplies and services.

Handheld Systems recommended the Workabout Pro 3 for the USFS application due to its expandability, flexibility, compact size, wireless capabilities and easy-to-read display. To meet the stringent environmental requirements of the USFS, Handheld Systems also modified the Workabout Pro 3 using Psion’s hardware development kit to achieve the IP67 standard for water resistance required by the Forest Service.

As part of the USFS’ evaluation process for the $5M BPA, the devices were tested at the Missoula Technology and Development Center, a division of the Forest Service responsible for testing equipment for federal and state agencies. Foresters will use the devices for a variety of data collection activities from sampling timber and seedlings to surveying streams and wildlife.

"This purchase agreement is part of our effort to boost mobile communications throughout the USFS,” said Art Clinton, head of Enterprise Mobility at USFS. "Because these devices are used in a broad range of data collection applications in the field, we had rigorous environmental requirements and Psion and Handheld Systems were able to meet or exceed all of them.”

"We looked at more than 25 devices from 12 companies for the U.S. Forest Service, and the Workabout Pro was the clear choice not only for its technical capabilities, but also because of the service and support that Psion offers,” said Mike Berg, president of Handheld Systems, Inc. "As an active participant in Psion’s online community, IngenuityWorking, I can attest to the outstanding support that Psion delivers to partners and that is exactly the type of partnership we need for this relationship with the USFS.”

"Working with our partners such as Handheld Systems enables us to meet the stringent demands of government organizations such as the USFS,” said Mike Wills, vice president of North American Sales at Psion. "The durability and reliability of our devices combined with the services such as our development kits and our support through resources including IngenuityWorking enable a level of collaboration with our partners and customers that is unmatched in the industry.”

The Workabout Pro 3 is the most modular and rugged device available today that meets or exceeds the IP65 International Protection Ratings. Intelligent, and most importantly flexible, the Psion Workabout Pro 3 delivers the choice of numerous hardware add-ons, software applications and upgrades. Starting immediately, USFS and U.S. Department of Agriculture Contracting Officers and warranted purchasing agents are able to purchase the Workabout Pro 3 through Handheld Systems.

About Psion

Psion is the pioneer of quality mobile handheld computers and their application in industrial markets around the world. We have been innovators in mobile computing since 1980, starting with the invention of the PDA, through to helping our global customers solve their business problems today. Our clients include Volkswagen, SNCF, RWE nPower, E.ON, BMW, Goodyear, Copenhagen Airports, BNSF and many others.

Through our open innovation business model, we have the ability to work directly with our customers and partners to co-create new variants of our mobile hardware, software and service that meet the specific needs of the marketplace. This collaboration is made possible by our open innovation community site, www.ingenuityworking.com.

Psion plc is a public company listed on the London Stock Exchange. It is headquartered in London with corporate offices located in Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Africa.

For more information, visit www.psion.com.

Psion and Workabout Pro are trademarks, or registered trademarks, of Psion PLC and subsidiaries.