Psion Teklogix to provide 802.11 based wireless system to US Department of Defense

Psion Teklogix a provider of rugged mobile computing devices and wireless LAN system implementation and support, has been selected by the U.S. government’s Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to provide a new 802.11-based wireless system for three of its Defense Distribution Centers (DDCs).

Located in Texarkana, Texas; New Cumberland, Pennsylvania; and Tracy, California, the centers stock materials including clothing, textiles, electronics, medical materials, and industrial supplies for the U.S. Department of Defense and will use Psion Teklogix equipment to provide workers with real-time access to inventory management and supply chain tools.

Psion Teklogix 9150 wireless gateways and 9400 network controllers will provide wireless connectivity throughout the facilities. The 8560 and 8255 vehicle-mount and 7035 hand-held computers will enable depot staff to more efficiently scan, pick and ship items. Valued at USD $8 million, the wireless system is being deployed immediately following a nine-month competitive bid.

The deployment at the Tracy, CA center, with 165 access points and 600 devices, will be the largest single-site installation in the history of Psion Teklogix.

“This contract is a significant milestone for Psion Teklogix that sends a strong message about our capabilities in the government market,” said Don Adams, vice president, Psion Teklogix. “Psion Teklogix was successful in demonstrating the strength of our technology during a demanding, intense, and highly competitive bidding process.”

Criteria upon which the Psion Teklogix system was evaluated included ease of use; encryption and security; interoperability; ruggedness; ergonomic design; and user support. As part of the bidding process, Psion Teklogix installed a pilot RF system at the New Cumberland, PA facility for evaluation purposes and performed site surveys at all three depots.

The Defense Distribution Center is the lead center for distribution for the U.S. government’s Defense Logistics Agency. Responsibilities include receipt, storage, issue, packing, preservation, worldwide transportation, in-transit visibility and redirection en route, when required, of all items placed under its accountability by the Defense Logistics Agency and the military services.

The DDC’s 22 Distribution Depots located throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan store 4 million stock numbers in 327 million cubic square feet of storage space and process over 23 million transactions annually. Clothing and textiles, electronics, industrial, general and construction supplies, subsistence, medical material and the military services’ principle end items are among the commodities for which the DDC is responsible.

For more information, visit www.psionteklogix.com.