RAM MOBILE DATA 3Com Palm Joins RAM Despatcher Off-the-shelf Fixed Fee Mobile Data Portfolio
November 10, 1999 — Under a reseller agreement with RAM Business Partner, dcs, RAM is to add the best selling 3Com Palm pocket-sized data terminal to its RAM Despatcher range of off-the-shelf mobile data solutions. RAM Despatcher offers customers a complete mobile data solution for a fixed monthly fee. RAM Despatcher is already widely used on DOS, Psion and Acknowledger terminals and all products within the portfolio also support a variety of peripherals, such as bar-coding, printing and GPS satellite vehicle location information.
The addition of the 3Com Palm terminal to the RAM Despatcher range provides a low-cost, touch-screen terminal which includes support for signature capture
– ideal for users with limited data entry requirements. The Symbol SPT1500, a derivative of the 3Com Palm with integrated bar-code reader is also supported.
dcs has developed the additional Palm functionality for RAM Despatcher products, providing a configurable application "forms" and e-mail messaging environment, together with support for signature capture and bar-code reading. The product also includes a screen design utility, which allows for the rapid prototyping and development of new forms.
Also included in the agreement is dcslink, which adds additional features to the Despatcher Gateway to ease integration with the host system. This supports communication between e-mail systems and field-based workers using RAM Despatcher, extending corporate e-mail out to field-based workers and improving the timely flow of internal information.
In line with the strategy of the RAM Outernet, the RAM Despatcher portfolio is also evolving to support a variety of network technologies. With the RAM Network as the core product, new network technologies include GSM voice and data services, Internet/Intranet services, Satellite. Paging and PSTN.
As Nick McLean, RAM's Marketing Director says, "Under the RAM Outernet, RAM is the clear leader in the field of mobile data. We offer the UK's widest choice of wireless communications solutions. The Palm Pilot is a cost- effective and ergonomic terminal for users and allows RAM to offer yet more choice to the customer in terms of applications and terminals which operate over the RAM Network."
Steve Precious, Divisional Director at dcs adds, "We have been a reseller of RAM Despatcher for some time. By adding our skills in designing touch screen applications we have been able to enhance the product set even further. We are delighted that RAM has chosen to include our products in the overall Despatcher portfolio."
About dcs
dcs is a privately owned company founded more than 13 years ago and based in Letchworth Hertfordshire. dcs employs over 50 professional staff and has a wealth of experience in the design and implementation of complete IT solutions. The experience that dcs has gained as a systems and solutions developer in the IT mainstream is now being brought to focus in the Field Force Automation Arena. Recognising that both its most important and saleable asset is the skills that its staff possess, dcs invests heavily in developing this area.
Able to offer total solutions, dcs can manage a project from the feasibility study phase right through to acceptance sign off, whether it is of their own supply or outsourced. To dcs the size of the project is irrelevant, providing the requirement and budget are realistic. Small projects for local companies to Pan- European solutions for multi national corporates are treated with the same degree of commitment.
About RAM Mobile Data Ltd
Thanks to the RAM Outernet, RAM now offers the UK's widest range of wireless communications solutions.
The RAM Outernet is a major new strategic initiative which gives customers a significantly broader range of wireless solutions as well as extended coverage. With RAM's Mobitex packet-switched wireless data Network at its core, RAM's portfolio of applications and services has been extended to include GSM voice and data services, Satellite, Paging, Intranet/Internet and PSTN. A dedicated Software and Services division has also been created to help define, deliver and support these wireless communications solutions.
RAM works closely with industry-leading Business Partners providing hardware, software and integration services. Target market sectors include Field Service, Utilities, Transportation and Distribution, Local Government, the Emergency Services and the remote monitoring market.
RAM Mobile Data Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of BellSouth. With assets worth $39 billion and $23 billion in revenue, BellSouth is the world's fifth largest telecommunications services company.
RAM's customers include Thames Water, MSAS Global Logistics, UPS, Safeway, TNT, Bass Brewers, Coca-Cola and Kwik-Fit. RAM also has numerous accounts across the Emergency Services. Today, over 50% of the Police Forces in England and Wales use the RAM Network for mobile data applications. Over 2,000 users from local authorities are now linked to the RAM Network.
In 1996, the Home Office awarded RAM sole provider status for Mobile Data Bearer services to the Police and Fire Services, under a Home Office Framework Arrangement. Customers today are seeing the benefits of wireless communications in fast return on investment, improved productivity, reduced costs and competitive edge.
CONTACT:
Frances Crossley, PR Manager, RAM Mobile
Data Ltd.
Tel: +44 (0)208 990 9090
e-mail: crossley@ram.co.uk
Steve Precious, Divisional Director, dcs
Tel: +44 (0)1462 673 820
e-mail: sprecious@dcs-ltd.co.uk