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Symbol and LinksPoint to Provide Emergency Mobile Tracking Solution for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC Emergency Response Teams To Use Ruggedized Mobile Devices With Embedded GPS For Critical Data Collection In The Field
HOLTSVILLE, N.Y. & NORWALK, Conn.--April 5, 2002-- Symbol Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:SBL) and LinksPoint, Inc. have become the first two companies to answer a call by the CDC Foundation for heightened preparedness to meet challenges to national security and public health.
Symbol and LinksPoint are providing the CDC with handheld computing technology to be used in emergency on-site sample collection and tracking in an application similar to that already deployed for evidence tracking at Ground Zero by the FDNY.
In a CNN interview yesterday, Home Depot co-founder and ex-chairman and CEO, Bernard Marcus pledged $3.9 million to equip a state-of-the-art emergency response center at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The equipment and software from Symbol and LinksPoint are the first acquisitions made under Mr. Marcus' challenge to companies to help provide vital equipment and services to the CDC.
"Being prepared for rapid response to bio-terrorism is a national imperative and demands that we make the best use of our available technology resources today," said Charles Stokes, president and CEO, CDC Foundation. "The ability to capture, analyze and track information from remote locations is an important step in upgrading the CDC's ability to respond rapidly to health and security threats."
As in the evidence tracking and recovery efforts used at Ground Zero, the handheld technology will provide faster data capture rates and decrease data errors. By using GPS technology, the CDC will be able to gather precise location information for samples taken in field investigations, an important element in the geospatial analysis of data. Human error in the tagging of the items as well as the manual input of information into the database is virtually eliminated.
"We're proud to be able to contribute to the CDC Foundation and help our national effort," said Richard Bravman, President and Chief Operating Officer, Symbol Technologies. "Our mobile computing solutions are being used in applications ranging from the US Marine Corps in Afghanistan to the Ground Zero recovery efforts, in addition to their widespread adoption in business."
"The LinksPoint team is both pleased and honored to partner with the CDC Foundation and Bernard Marcus in these challenging times, " said Strite Potter, president of LinksPoint. "We answered the call when FDNY needed a solution at Ground Zero and we welcome the opportunity to provide GPS hardware and software expertise to the CDC in their tremendous effort to prepare for national emergencies with the first and only application of this kind."
Symbol and LinksPoint are providing both the ruggedized handheld computing technology and software integration required to enable the mobile emergency response teams to record information at precise locations using Global Positioning System (GPS). Each system contains a Symbol PPT 2800 ruggedized PocketPC computer, a LinksPoint GlobalPoint GPS(TM) Receiver, LinksPoint application software, as well as cables and cradles for battery charging and synchronization. Samples are bar coded, time stamped, and location marked automatically using geo-referenced grid map coordinates. The information is synchronized to a host database where the critical attributes of the samples and evidence are logged.
About Linkspoint
LinksPoint is a mobile data company focused on providing Location Information Systems built around geospatial information and location technologies. The Company brings unique experience in the integration of Global Positioning System (GPS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and mobile technologies. LinksPoint creates software for the collection and delivery of critical enterprise information to and from field workers. LinksPoint also designs and manufactures GPS receivers for mobile computing devices and ruggedized handheld computers. For more information, visit www.linkspoint.com.
About Symbol
Symbol Technologies, Inc., is a global leader in mobile data transaction systems, providing innovative customer solutions based on wireless local area networking for data and voice, application-specific mobile computing and bar code data capture. Symbol's wireless information appliances connect the physical world of people on the move, packages, paper and shipping pallets, to information systems and the Internet. Today, some 10 million Symbol bar code scanners, mobile computers and wireless LANs are utilized worldwide in markets ranging from retailing to transportation and distribution logistics, manufacturing, parcel and postal delivery, government, healthcare and education. Symbol's systems and products are used to increase productivity from the factory floor to the retail store, to the enterprise and out to the home. Information about Symbol is available at and 1-800-722-6234.
The CDC Foundation
The CDC Foundation is an independent, non-profit enterprise that forges effective partnerships between the CDC and others to fight threats to national health and safety. In his role as CDC Foundation board member, Bernard Marcus has challenged corporations like Symbol and LinksPoint to provide vital equipment and services to the CDC at a reduced cost. For more information visit www.cdcfoundation.org.
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For media information:
Rob Urban
Symbol Technologies
631.738.5616
urbanro@symbol.com
Michael Forbes
LinksPoint
203.853.4600
mforbes@linkspoint.com
For financial information:
Kenneth Jaeggi
Symbol Technologies
631.738.3909
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