Fujitsu Personal Systems Wins Contract to Provide Mobile Pen-Based PCs to the State of Alabama

September 20, 1993 — Fujitsu Personal Systems Inc. (FPSI), the leading provider of highly integrated systems for mobile computing solutions, Monday announced that its has been selected in a competitive evaluation process by the State of Alabama to pro-vide its 325Point pen-based computers to the State of Alabama Auditors Department and more than 20 other state government departments and agencies.

In tests conducted on numerous pen-based systems, the State Auditor’s Department determined that Fujitsu’s 325Point was the optimal solution for its mobile application requirements. Fujitsu’s 325Point pen-based computers will be used in a variety of asset management applications, including auditing and asset tracking, as well as standard off-the-shelf PC applications. Fujitsu will initially provide between 100 and 200 systems for the field automation project, which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 1994.

“The State of Alabama’s multi-unit purchase is strategically important to Fujitsu and the mobile market because it signals a growing commitment to pen-based computers as unique tools that enhance operational efficiency and worker productivity,” said Lou Panetta, FPSI’s executive vice president. “The pen medium is ideal for state governments, and Fujitsu’s technology leadership allows us to provide them with the most advanced, feature-rich pen computer on the market.”

The 325Point systems purchased by the State of Alabama will include a 40MB hard disk drive, an integrated bar code scanner, an alkaline battery pack and other system peripherals. The asset management software was developed in Power Pen Pal 4.0 and will run under the PenRight operating system. Microsoft’s Windows for Pen Computing will also be used to operate standard, off-the-shelf applications such as Lotus 1-2-3 and Microsoft’s FoxPro database management system. Power Pen Pal will interface directly with the State of Alabama’s database of 315,000 items of state property that reside in a FoxPro 2.5 DBF file.

The Fujitsu 325Point — the industry’s first three pound pen tablet — provides optimal battery life for mobile workers involved in decision support and data collection activities. It is powered by an AM386 SXLV processor and has a 9.4 inch (diagonal) “on-demand” back lit screen. The 325Point’s unparalleled battery life — a key factor in its selection — is achieved through the exclusive use of Fujitsu’s three volt technology.

“Fujitsu is the first and only mobile systems vendor whose pen-based mobile computers provided extended battery life while meeting our usability requirements,” said Don Kelly, assistant state auditor for the State of Alabama. “As a state government committed to efficient management of tax dollars, we believe in Fujitsu’s approach to developing mobile solutions tailored to the needs of a specific management application.”

Computer Maintenance Professional (CMP), a Montgomery, Ala.-based, VAR, specializing in mobile workforce automation systems, is working with Fujitsu in the implementation of the 325Point program. According to CMP’s President Tim Smith, “Fujitsu’s ability to work with us in the integration of all the necessary hardware requirements for the State of Alabama was a critical element in the 325Point’s selection.”

Fujitsu Personal Systems Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, is a leader in providing solutions for data collection and decision support applications through the development of super portable palmtop, pen-based and communicating computers. Its solutions are designed to meet the needs of applications where lightweight, small form factor and long battery life are essential. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Ltd. Fujitsu Personal Systems has North American offices in Santa Clara, Irvine, Calif., Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Toronto and international offices in England, France, Spain, Germany, Italy and Sweden.

CONTACT:
Walt & Sommerhauser Communications
Craig Sutphin, 408/496-0900 Fujitsu Personal Systems Inc.
Bill Wittmann, 408/982-9500 State of Alabama
Don Kelly, 205/242-7031