Retailers get tough new handheld

Enterprise mobility firm Symbol Technologies has introduced a ruggedised handheld for the retail industry, designed to replace ageing models already in service by providing a lightweight unit with better wireless connectivity and support for the latest applications.

The MC3000, available immediately, is based on Intel's XScale PXA270 processor and comes with a choice of keyboard options and either a barcode scanner or CCD imager, plus integrated 802.11b/g wireless connectivity. The new model runs Microsoft's Windows CE.Net operating system.

"Our customers want to be able to arm employees with the technology they need to get access to the right information," said Symbol's Alexander Price. He said the MC3000 is intended to replace older systems such as the PDT3100 in retail environments, but is also expected to find a home in other sectors such as the logistics industry thanks to its data capture options.

The MC3000 has been designed to allow a whole day's work without recharging the batteries, Symbol said. It can also use the same cradle and accessories as Symbol's MC50 handheld, which has been shipping since December.

"We're starting to see groups of products as being a toolset for a particular industry," said Price. In a retail outlet, for example, managers would be equipped with the MC50, while the MC3000 would be deployed to the shop-floor staff, he added.

The MC3000 supports Symbol's Mobility Services Platform (MSP), introduced last year to help firms deploy and manage large numbers of mobile devices. Using this, an administrator can dispatch Symbol handhelds to a department or branch office along with custom printed barcodes holding configuration data, Symbol said. When a user scans the barcode, it tells the device what settings to use and where to download applications from.

Pricing for the MC3000 range starts at about £640 for a model with a 312MHz processor, 32MB RAM and a monochrome display, rising to about £1,170 for the top-end model with 520MHz processor, 64MB RAM, colour screen and CCD imager.

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