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27-APR-2004, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
South Dakota Telecom Network Provider to Use Tripod Data Systems' Recon Handheld Computers to Improve Service Call Accuracy and Efficiency
Contacts:
Amy Urban
Tripod Data Systems
541-753-9322
amyu@tdsway.com
Julia Oliver
Sanda Communications
503-445-2400
jo@sandacom.com
Corvallis, Ore.—April 27, 2004—Tripod Data Systems (TDS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Trimble (NASDAQ:TRMB), announced today that its ReconTM handheld computers will be deployed by Black Hills FiberCom, a telecom, cable and Internet service provider in South Dakota. Field service technicians will use the ultra-rugged handheld computers to manage time more efficiently, reduce paperwork and control inventory.
"The Recon will cut the number of steps required for service calls-saving time and reducing paper-shuffling," said Bob Ewing, field services operations manager for Black Hills FiberCom. "Plus, the two CompactFlash slots give the Recon the flexibility to adapt as our needs change."
Currently, service technicians must call in to a dispatcher for their daily schedules and fill out all their paperwork-including service information and inventory counts-by hand. This process occasionally results in overloaded schedules, missed appointment times and inaccurate paperwork.
Black Hills FiberCom will use the Recon handheld computers with Passport inField software from Passport Corporation. Passport inField software provides access to multiple enterprise systems such as order entry, pricing, inventory, scheduling/dispatch, product catalog and parts databases.
Service technicians will be able to download their schedules each day, enter service information directly to the Recon handheld in the field, and transfer data directly to the home office via an 802.11b connection when the service call is completed. They will also be able to record customer signatures on the Recon, print receipts and update their schedules when customers call to cancel appointments.
"The Recon is a rugged, versatile tool that companies can use to streamline their field work," said Bill Martin, TDS president. "And the Recon's rugged construction means that service technicians can use it in their work and not worry about inclement weather or the bumps and bangs that could damage less rugged devices."
Black Hills FiberCom plans to expand its uses for the Recon handheld computer to include inventory control. Warehouse and field workers will use a Bluetooth bar-code scanner to transmit data to a Bluetooth card in one of the Recon's two CompactFlash slots, allowing an efficient, accurate inventory scan.
The Recon handheld computer is designed for all-day operation in extreme outdoor and industrial environments. It meets MIL-STD-810F military standards for drops, vibration and temperature extremes. It also has an IP67 rating, meaning it's impervious to water and dust. The Recon runs Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PCs.
The Recon's rugged construction makes it ideal for public safety, field service, utilities, military and other outdoor or service-related applications. It weighs just 17 ounces, and its rounded edges provide a comfortable grip. Large, widely spaced buttons are easy to use, and its reflective color TFT display is bright and clear in sunlight.
The Recon comes with a 200- or 400-MHz Intel XScale processor, 64 MB of SDRAM and up to 128 MB of internal nonvolatile Flash storage. It also features two CompactFlash slots, plus a standard 9-pin serial port and a high-speed USB port for connecting to a PC. The standard PowerBoot ModuleTM features a 15-hour rechargeable NiMH battery.
Black Hills FiberCom is a provider of communications services, with more than 26,000 customers and 43,000 telephone access lines in service in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Black Hills FiberCom provides a state-of-the-art network with high-speed Internet, telephone and cable programming.
Tripod Data Systems (TDS) designs and manufactures hardware and software for mobile computing applications. TDS handheld computers are designed for extreme outdoor and industrial environments. The rugged TDS RangerTM was the first handheld computer based on the Windows CE operating system to meet military specifications for drop, vibration, immersion and both high and low temperature operation.
TDS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Trimble. The company is headquartered in Corvallis, Ore., and was founded in 1987. For more information about TDS, visit www.tdsway.com/handhelds, e-mail handhelds@tdsway.com or call 541-752-9000.
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Tripod Data Systems, Recon, Ranger and PowerBoot Module are trademarks of Tripod Data Systems. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Windows and the Windows logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
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