NEW YORK – Fujitsu announced today at the National Retail Federation’s 91st Annual Convention & Expo in New York City, the new Fujitsu iPAD, a powerful, compact, Microsoft Windows CE .NET-based mobile device that funnels multiple technologies into a single solution, placing power in the hands of retailers everywhere.
“The iPAD will radically change the business of retailing,” said Ron Omohundro, executive vice president and general manager of Fujitsu Transaction Solutions. “By packaging all the tools the retailer needs with Microsoft’s new robust and versatile Windows CE .NET operating system, Fujitsu has created a device that can dramatically boost customer service to drive up profits and drive down costs. And, at 10 ounces, it’s the lightest-weight handheld device available for retailers.”
Fujitsu participated with Microsoft in its Rapid Development Program for Windows CE .NET and is the first supplier to implement the new platform for the retail market.
“Demand for retail solutions that are feature rich, highly efficient and cost-effective continues to grow,” said Todd Warren, general manager of the Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group at Microsoft Corp. “Fujitsu’s iPAD device utilizes Windows CE .NET’s support for rich applications and services to deliver a ruggedized, smart, mobile work environment that provides retailers with tools to meet in-store customer demands.”
Power-packed iPAD
At 10 ounces, the featherweight iPAD combines devices used throughout the store – scanner, magnetic- and smart-card reader, keypad with encryption capabilities, even phone capability – to give the retailer a complete, wireless retail appliance. The iPAD goes anywhere – to do virtually anything – including inventory management, debit transactions, price verifications, phone calls, line busting, mobile POS, gift registry and more.
Fujitsu’s iPAD features a bright, color touch-screen that works both inside the store and in bright sunlight, ideal for parking-lot sales or outdoor inventory control. It houses a powerful Intel processor and can support any 802.11b wireless LAN infrastructure. And with Microsoft’s newest, most powerful platform – Windows CE .NET – the iPAD will support both XML and Voice Over IP (VoIP). All this in a slim, ruggedized shell that withstands four-foot drops to concrete.
“Imagine being able to run your store with one small device that could hang on your belt,” says Omohundro. “You can use iPAD to page or call an employee, review management reports, check other stores for product availability and a host of other functions. With iPAD, the possibilities are endless.”
Fujitsu’s iPAD will be available in North-America mid- 2002.
