Fujitsu and Proxim Combine Best-of-Breed Tablet Computing and Wireless LAN Technologies for Vertical Markets
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — September 30, 1996 — Fujitsu Personal Systems, Inc. (FPSI) today introduced the Stylistic 1000 RF, a powerful Windows 95-compatible tablet PC featuring Proxim's built-in 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) wireless LAN radio.
This new wireless tablet is ideal for vertical market decision-support applications in healthcare, commodities trading, market surveying and sales force automation — applications where mobile workers require immediate access to, and real-time updates of, enterprise databases.
Based on Fujitsu's popular Stylistic 1000, the Stylistic 1000 RF incorporates the power of a desktop computer into a system measuring just 7.3 x 11 x 1.6 inches and weighing a mere 3.6 pounds.
"We've taken the most powerful Windows 95 tablet in the world and unplugged it. Customers now have roaming access to the full resources of their enterprise," said Geoff Walker, marketing vice president of Fujitsu Personal Systems.
"We are keeping pace with the demands for more powerful wireless PCs. Our customers need all of their workers — whether stationary or mobile — to have access to the same information. This need is being met by the Stylistic 1000 RF wireless tablet."
"The combination of the Stylistic 1000 and RangeLAN2 technology provides a very powerful answer to the growing need for mobile connectivity," said Brian Button, vice president of marketing at Proxim. "With the new Stylistic 1000 RF, users gain a best-of-breed mobile wireless solution that can further empower mobile workers, while offering wireless LAN interoperability, with a wide range of other mobile computers and other wireless devices."
Field Applications
Two examples of applications for which the Stylistic 1000 RF is particularly well suited are healthcare and commodities trading. Hospital clinicians using the Stylistic 1000 RF chart directly to the hospital's database as they treat patients.
The charting is more accurate, more quantified, and enables outcomes analysis and billing. Benefits include increased chart accuracy through elimination of illegible handwritten orders, reduced operating cost through elimination of the need for medical transcription and improved analysis of patient outcomes.
Commodities and equity trading firms also get fast returns on their investment in wireless tablets. The combination of sophisticated real-time data analysis and immediate wireless access to back-office databases and information from other exchanges offers a competitive advantage to the savvy securities trader.
Trading managers use the Stylistic 1000 RF to get worldwide market data direct from a central server. The large 8-inch color LCD makes reading charts and graphs easy. From the same hand-held PC, trading strategies can be communicated directly to the trading floor.
Stylistic 1000 RF Background
The color tablet PC is powered by a 100 megahertz (MHz) 486 processor with 8 megabytes (MB) DRAM that can be expanded to 40 MB. Three 8-inch LCDs are available for the Stylistic 1000 RF including DSTN color, transflective monochrome, and transmissive monochrome _ giving customers the opportunity to select the most appropriate screen for any use.
The Stylistic 1000 RF also carries the "Designed for Microsoft Windows 95" logo, and is configured with the Microsoft Pen Services 2.0 interface.
The Stylistic 1000 RF can be configured with Windows for Workgroups 3.11 and Pen Extensions 1.0, including the CIC Handwriting Recognition System 4.0, or Windows 95 with Pen Services 2.0 and the CIC HRS 5.0. The Stylistic 1000 RF is compatible with Novell NetWare, Personal NetWare and TCP/IP protocols. ODI and NDIS LAN drivers are included. Other hardware features include:
— 260 or 340 MB 1.8-inch hard disk drives with pre-loaded operating system software and LAN drivers
— Lithium-ion battery pack for 4 to 6 hours of operation
— Rugged, metal-barrel stylus with standard AAAA battery
— Industry-standard connectors for serial, parallel, video, mouse and keyboard
— 72-pin port replicator connector for desktop docking
— IrDA infrared wireless port
The Stylistic 1000 RF uses the Proxim RangeLAN2 frequency-hopping radio that features 15 independent channels, a 1.6 megabits per second (Mbps) data transfer rate, and a 200 to 500 foot indoor wireless range to an Ethernet access point. The adapter is incorporated into the enclosed housing of the Stylistic 1000 RF, eliminating the clutter of external cables, antenna housings or mounted hardware.
Wireless connectivity to printers and desktop PCs is also supported through the standard IrDA-compliant infrared adapter which speeds up desktop file transfer and enables point-and-shoot printing. The LCD display includes an off-screen area for hardware "hot pads." These pen-sensitive pads include: brightness, contrast, reverse video, monitor control, speaker control and a software-programmable pad.
Fujitsu offers an extensive line of accessories and peripherals for the Stylistic 1000 RF. These include: optional DRAM modules, hard drives, spare battery pack, dual battery charger, AC adapter, auto adapter, screen protector, stylus kit and bar code wand.
An optional 3.5-inch floppy disk drive and a low-power keyboard can be attached directly to the tablet or through the optional port replicator. The port replicator provides duplication of every connector on the tablet through a simple one-step connection. This makes desktop use of the Stylistic 1000 RF convenient and easy.
A lightweight folding desk stand and three carrying cases are also available, including a harsh environment case that protects the tablet from rain, dust and severe handling encountered in some mobile applications.
The Stylistic 1000 RF supports APM 1.1 to maximize control over battery life. System utilities allow VARs to configure power management settings, BIOS settings and the pen interface features.
The Fujitsu Stylistic 1000 RF is available for immediate shipment. The single unit reseller price of the full-featured Stylistic 1000 RF with transmissive screen, 260 MB hard drive, 8 MB DRAM and Windows 95 is $ 4,185. The same configuration with transflective screen is $ 4,340, and with color screen is $ 4,830.
About Proxim
Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., Proxim, Inc., (NASDAQ: PROX) was founded in 1984 to develop and market wireless communications technology. Since 1989, the company has been the industry's leading OEM supplier of spread spectrum wireless data networking products. In 1994, Proxim pioneered 2.4 GHz frequency hopping wireless LAN technology by being first to market with its RangeLAN2 product family.
RangeLAN2 2.4 GHz technology has been selected by more than 50 wireless solution providers worldwide including ALPS Electric (USA), AMP, Bass, Data General, Fujitsu, Intermec, LXE, Matsushita, NTT, Norand and Zenith Data Systems. In addition, RangeLAN2 was recently awarded Editors' Choice in PC Magazine's comprehensive review of wireless LAN products, as well as LAN Magazine's 1996 Wireless Networking Product of the Year.
About Fujitsu
Fujitsu Personal Systems, Inc., is a leading supplier of highly integrated mobile computers for demanding vertical market applications. The company's industry-standard tablet PCs feature powerful CPUs, extensive connectivity options, and long battery life. These handheld, full-screen tablets are compact, light weight and small.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of Fujitsu, Ltd., Fujitsu Personal Systems, Inc. (408/982-9500) has headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., and offices throughout North America and Europe. Product information is available at 800/831-3183 or http://www.fpsi.fujitsu.com
Note to Editors: Product and company names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Photos available upon request.
CONTACT:
Fujitsu Personal Systems, Inc.
Mark Deneen/Wendy Olver, 408/982-9500
[email protected] or [email protected]
or
Walt & Company
Jenn Knudsen/Dean Rodgers, 408/496-0900
[email protected] or [email protected]
or
Proxim, Inc.
Dan Toporek, 415/526-3652
[email protected]