Motorola and ARDIS Announce Promotional Incentives for Envoy and Marco Wireless Communicators
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — October 23, 1995 — Motorola's Wireless Data Group and ARDIS today announced limited-time price promotions which offer resellers and end users Envoy and Marco Wireless Communicators at a reduced cost. The companies are combining marketing efforts to promote lower-priced solutions so resellers and end users can benefit from the most innovative and affordable wireless computing solutions during the upcoming holiday season.
Motorola is working closely with authorized resellers to offer pricing incentives that can significantly lower the cost of its wireless devices to the end user. In addition, ARDIS is offering a $ 200 rebate directly to Envoy and Marco customers. Customers must sign up for 12-month Gold or Platinum airtime package programs and will receive the rebate upon the sixth month of wireless network service. These pricing promotions are effective immediately and will be available through Dec. 29, 1995 at participating authorized resellers across the U.S.
Authorized Resellers "Motorola is making it easier for resellers to offer competitive pricing," said Gary Weber, president, PageCom. "With the 'limited-time-only' incentives, PageCom is selling Envoy and Marco devices for $ 900. When you add the $ 200 rebate from ARDIS, our customers can 'go wireless' for only $ 700."
"One of the driving forces behind growing the wireless market is the development of easy-to-use, affordable computing solutions – Motorola is doing it," said Michael Merrill, president, Totally Wireless. "By enabling us to offer pricing below $ 1,000, Motorola has now provided us with an additional sales tool to encourage the adoption of wireless computing."
Wireless Providers "These limited-time promotions enable users to gain the integrated wireless performance and functionality of the Envoy and Marco devices for significantly less money," said Jon Nachinson, national sales manager, Motorola Wireless Data Group. "Our resellers are enthusiastic about the efforts of Motorola and ARDIS to promote more affordable wireless solutions and to continue to grow the wireless market."
"Our goal is to make it less expensive for people to begin experiencing the freedom created by wireless communications in their day-to-day work and personal lives," said Dan Croft, senior vice president of marketing, ARDIS. "With the broadest and deepest coverage of any nationwide wireless network, ARDIS makes anytime, anywhere communications a reality."
In addition to the personal management features of most PDAs, the Envoy and Marco Wireless Communicators offer mobile professionals the ability to keep in touch through integrated wireless communications capabilities. The compact size of the devices allows users to easily store them in a handbag or briefcase when not in use. With these communicators, users can wirelessly access the Internet, exchange electronic messages, obtain stock quotes, send faxes, access remote network servers and download daily news updates. The Envoy Wireless Communicator is based on General Magic's Magic Cap(tm) platform and the Marco Wireless Communicator is based on Apple's Newton(r) platform.
Availability For locations of authorized resellers, customers can call 800/894-7353. In addition, customers can obtain more information from the World Wide Web sites of the Wireless Data Group (http://www.mot.com/wdg/) and ARDIS (http://www.ardis.com).
ARDIS Wireless Data Network ARDIS operates the largest nationwide wireless data network enabling in-building and on-street data communications between mobile workers, using notebook computers, personal digital assistants or handheld terminals and host computers. The ARDIS network serves the top 410 metropolitan areas in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and covers more than 80 percent of the population and 90 percent of the business activity in the U.S. The service enables executives and mobile professionals to access their corporate information systems and communicate instantaneously with their peers from virtually any location.
Motorola Wireless Data Group The Wireless Data Group is part of Motorola's Messaging, Information and Media Sector and incorporates the company's business activities involved with the design, manufacture and distribution of wireless data products, infrastructure equipment and systems for worldwide markets. Motorola is one of the world's leading providers of wireless communications, semiconductors, and advanced systems and services. Sales in 1994 were $ 22.2 billion.
Motorola, Marco and Envoy are registered trademarks of Motorola, Inc. ARDIS is a registered trademark of ARDIS Company. Other names and product names may be registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies.
CONTACT:
Motorola
Cheryl Beck-Ruff 708/576-7150
or
ARDIS
Rob Euler, 708/913-4405
or
Cunningham Communications
Ted Kamionek, 617/494-8202
or
Copithorne and Bellows
Albie Jarvis
617/252-0606