GRiD Demonstrates Industry’s First Pen Computer with Wireless Communication
LAS VEGAS — October 21, 1991 — GRiD Systems Corp. Monday unveiled the GRiDPADRF, the industry's first pen computer with integrated wireless communications capability.
The system is fully compatible with Novell networks. The announcement was made Monday at the COMDEX trade show where GRiD is demonstrating the computer (booth No. 2490).
The GRiDPADRF allows companies to completely automate the data collection process, eliminating costly data updates and delays with a real-time data collection system that eliminates the need for temporary storage devices. Its compatability with Novell technology assures that the GRiDPADRF has access to the vast installed base of Novell networks.
Novell's gateway support to other networks and systems provides access to virtually any host computer. Incorporating GRiDPADRF pen computers into an organization is as easy as installing radio module PC/AT cards in PCs on an existing network, avoiding the costly installation of lengthy network cabling. The system has a rated range of 500 to 1,000 feet, depending on the environment.
GRiD President D. Bruce Walter said, ''GRiDPADRF's real-time data collection and transmission capabilities provide the most current and accurate information available to corporations or government agencies, making it a strategic business and management tool. Today, the need to make split-second decisions based upon fast-changing market conditions is the rule, not the exception.
''GRiDPAD, our first pen computer, ushered in a new era in the computer industry. The GRiDPADRF, with its Novell compatibility, has extended the benefits of pen computing into real-time data collection and communications. It opens large new markets to GRiD.''
The GRidPADRF utilizes spread spectrum radio technology operating at 902-928MHz. This is an unlicensed frequency, meaning that customers integrating the GRiDPADRF into their operations will not have to obtain approvals and licenses from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Expanding GRiDPADRF data-collection applications to more units simply involves adding GRiDPADRF computers and network interface cards. Other wireless communications technologies require FCC approvals for all expansions.
GRiD will provide a complete system with support from systems engineers who will do site surveys to help customers implement the RF technology.
GRiDPADRF transmits its data to a ''radio base station''– a PC with a radio module AT card and a small receiving antenna — which automatically transfers it into the Novell network and then, if necessary, back to the company's mini or mainframe computer.
GRiDPADRF's Novell compatibility ensures that customers have compatibility with virtually all major networking protocols, said Ken Dulaney, director of marketing for GRiD's portable computers.
''The thousands of installed Novell networks,'' he explained, ''are used by customers in a variety of industries which require real-time, mobile data collection applications. Giving GRiDPADRF computers to quality-control inspectors at a manufacturing facility, for example, allows them to instantly transmit the latest information on product defects or production line capacity. This gives production supervisors the ability to make fast and informed decisions.
''Loading dock supervisors with GRiDPADRF pen computers can immediately update customer service representatives who have to respond to customers calling about the status of a load order.''
GRiDPADRF will be available in the first quarter of 1992. It comes standard with an integrated 902-928MHz direct sequence spread spectrum radio module, a NEC V20 microprocessor operating at 9.54MHz, backlit transflective screen, 2MB of RAM, two PCMCIA RAM storage card slots, GRiDPADRF Novell drivers and network interface software. In standard configuration, the computer is priced at $2,870. The price of the integrated radio module has not been set, but GRiD officials said the module will be priced under $1,000.
The GRiDPADRF will be used in conjunction with a radio base station — a 286,386 or 486 desktop computer equipped with an AT radio module. AT radio boards and server base stations are available from GRiD.
GRiD designs, manufactures, markets and services laptop, pen-based, desktop and multimedia computers, pen-based software development tools, electronic mail and networking systems. GRiD, with an extensive direct sales and support organization, demonstrates products at 45 GRiD Systems Centers and sells products through value-added resellers (VARs) and federal systems integrators.
GRiD is located at 47211 Lakeview Blvd., Fremont, CA 94538. GRiD also has offices in the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Spain, Sweden, France, Belgium and Denmark.
GRiD is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tandy Corp., Forth Worth, TX. Tandy is a leading manufacturer and distributor of consumer electronics and computers. A New York Stock Exchange company, Tandy has sales in excess of $4.5 billion annually.
Notes to Editors: GRiDPAD is a registered trademark of GRiD Systems Corp.
CONTACT:
GRiD Systems Corp.
Mike McGuire or Bob Goligoski, 510/656-4700