Symbol Technologies Introduces a New Class of Miniature Fixed Mount Scanners -- a Great Fit for OEM Applications
HOLTSVILLE, N.Y.--July 17, 2003--Symbol Technologies, Inc. , a global leader in enterprise mobility solutions, today announced that Invetech, a specialist in contract design and development of automated laboratory instruments, and Avnet Applied Computing, a $1.7 billion operating group of Avnet, Inc. that serves the embedded OEM and ISV markets, are using a new class of high-performance Symbol miniature fixed mount scanners designed for easy OEM integration.
Symbol developed and makes laser bar code fixed mount scanners, which provide "drop-in" scanning functionality to a variety of OEM devices such as kiosks and clinical diagnostic equipment as well as for industrial applications such as manufacturing and warehousing.
The new Symbol MiniScan fixed mount scanner was selected by Invetech Pty. Ltd., the innovation engine room of a leading Australian technology export company, Vision Systems Limited. The scanner has been integrated into the Bond(TM) Automated Immunohistochemistry Staining System. This clinical diagnostic instrument, developed by Invetech and sister subsidiary, Vision BioSystems, is an automated staining system used in pathology labs and hospitals worldwide for the detection of cancer. The system uses bar code technology to minimize potential for error and ensure comprehensive data capture by matching a bar code encrypted with a patient's identifying information with a bar code on that patient's lab sample.
"We chose the Symbol MS 2204 for its reliable and quick decoding performance," said Dr. Fred Davis, Invetech's Instrument Design and Development Director. "Price considerations and after-sales technical support were also important factors in our decision. Our internal evaluations found that bar code fixed mount scanners of equal performance from other companies cost at least 40 percent more."
In addition, Avnet Applied Computing is currently testing the Symbol MS 3204 in several customer applications. The Symbol MiniScan was chosen due to its compact size and price as well as performance benefits offered by the omnidirectional fixed mount scanner.
"Technology is driving a tremendous amount of innovation in the rugged field applications that our customers develop, and the designs that require bar code recognition continue to grow," noted Mike Dunham, vice president of Avnet Applied Computing's data collection group.
"Symbol's strong heritage in bar code scanning technology is evident in the product family of Symbol MiniScan fixed mount scanners. The small form factor, low cost and high reading and recognition performance make designing these devices into a customer's solution a breeze," he added.
The Symbol MS 22XX and 32XX are part of a new family of miniature, high-performance fixed mount scanners now available. In addition to delivering the smallest scanning solution for the end user, the Symbol MiniScan series also minimizes integration efforts and speeds time to market.
These matchbook-sized high-performance fixed mount scanners come equipped with housing, exit window, decoder and a variety of interfaces including RS232 and USB. Since the MiniScan scanners are sealed to the IP54 standard and feature simple programming and provision for mounting, they are easily integrated into a wide variety of fixed-mount OEM applications including manufacturing assembly lines, interactive kiosks, vending machines, medical equipment, gas pumps, library and document tracking systems and data/tape storage systems.
"Symbol designed the MiniScan series with our OEM partners and the steadily growing OEM market in mind as well as the industrial fixed mount market. It's a high-performance, integration-friendly device. Just plug in the scanner and it's ready to scan," said Robert Sanders, vice president and general manager, scanning systems, Symbol Technologies.
"We responded to a need in the marketplace to develop a high-performance, miniature fixed mount scanner that could easily be integrated into a number of devices to serve an array of end-user needs," Sanders added.
The Symbol MiniScan series offers seven models with a range of interfaces, price points and scanning capability. The series meets an array of data capture needs including standard one-dimensional symbols, reduced-space symbols, PDF417 and composite one-dimensional and two-dimensional symbols.
For more information about the Symbol MiniScan series, visit www.symbol.com/miniscan.
About Symbol Technologies, Inc.
Symbol Technologies, Inc. delivers enterprise mobility solutions that enable anywhere, anytime data and voice communication designed to increase productivity, reduce costs and realize competitive advantage. Symbol systems and services integrate rugged mobile computing, advanced data capture and wireless networking for the world's leading retailers, transportation and logistics companies and manufacturers as well as government agencies and providers of healthcare, hospitality and security. More information is available at www.symbol.com.
About Avnet Applied Computing
Avnet Applied Computing, a Phoenix, Ariz.-based distribution specialist with operations in North America, Europe and Asia, focuses on the unique requirements of computing OEMS, independent software vendors and system builders who want to take their embedded systems or white box solutions to market quickly. Avnet Applied computing offers a wide array of services, including engineering assistance, integration and support services, supply-chain management, financing, and physical distribution of end products.
About Invetech
Invetech has developed an "Idea-to-Market" capability that creates value by converting ideas and technologies into market-ready products and efficient manufacturing systems. Invetech's 175+ professional consultants, engineers, applied scientists and technicians specialise in technology commercialisation planning, product development and manufacturing process development. Our services are utilised by companies, from multi-nationals to start ups, over a wide range of industries. For more information, please see our Web site at www.invetech.com.au.