San Francisco Marathon Races to Forefront of Technology Frontier with Wireless Communications
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — July 5, 1995 — Today, Motorola, Inc. and ARDISSM announced that the organizers of this year's San Francisco Marathon(tm) will use Envoy(r) Wireless Communicators by Motorola and ARDIS PersonalMessaging(SM) Wireless Service to ease the burden of communication during the race. In the past, using telephones to communicate essential race statistics, standings and results presented marathon staffers with communication difficulties caused by background noise. This year, they will be equipped with Motorola Envoy Wireless Communicators – sleek, handheld devices that use the ARDIS Network, a sophisticated and dependable nationwide wireless network, to communicate with each other.
The marathon staffers and press tracking the lead male and female runners will use the Envoy communicators throughout the race to wirelessly relay mile standings to staffers at the finish line. In addition to enabling improved communication along the course, the ARDIS PersonalMessaging Wireless Service will allow press to wirelessly send the standings and results to their press desks via e-mail or fax.
"This region generates the country's most sophisticated technologies, and the people who populate this city are proud of their role in bringing those technologies to market first," said Peter Tatum, marathon manager. "We look forward to being a part of this tradition by using the world's newest communication technology to ensure we can seamlessly run a fun and exciting event for the city."
"Every day, our customers find new ways in which wireless communications simplifies their lives," said Mil Ovan, marketing director of Motorola's Wireless Data Group. "Motorola and ARDIS are pleased to provide the San Francisco Marathon organization with the tools necessary to help revolutionize the coordination of this important event. We look forward to witnessing first hand the difference this extraordinary technology will make for the marathon staffers on July 9."
"The ARDIS PersonalMessaging service will enable marathon staffers to exchange messages, real-time, no matter where they are on the course," said Dan Croft, senior vice president of Marketing Operations at ARDIS. "Two-way messaging is just one example of how wireless technology allows mobile users to be more productive and stay in touch while on-the-go."
ARDIS ARDIS operates the first and largest nationwide radio data information service enabling in-building and on-street data communications between handheld terminals and host computers. The ARDIS network serves the top 400 metro areas in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and covers more than 80 percent of the population and 90 percent of the business activity in the United States. The service enables executive and mobile workers to access their corporate information systems or to communicate instantaneously with their peers from virtually any location.
ARDIS PersonalMessaging ARDIS PersonalMessaging is a wireless two-way data messaging service which operates on the nationwide ARDIS packet radio network. This service is designed to address the communication needs of mobile work groups who require real-time, cost effective wireless communications. For more information about ARDIS PersonalMessaging, call 800/OKARDIS.
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, manufacturing 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 Envoy Wireless Communicator The Envoy Wireless Communicator, which is based on General Magic's Magic Cap(tm) platform and Telescript(tm) communications language, is a portable communications tool for mobile professionals which is extremely powerful yet simple to use. The Envoy Wireless Communicator allows mobile professionals to instantly access, communicate and organize information while on-the-go. Designed for both business and personal use, the Envoy Wireless Communicator integrates two-way wireless, wireline and infrared communications onto a single portable communications device. For information and specific reseller locations for Motorola's wireless products, users can call 800-8WIRELESS (800-894-7353). Product information is also available via Motorola's address http://www.mot.com/wdg on the Internet World Wide Web.
ARDIS and ARDIS PersonalMessaging are registered service marks of ARDIS Company. Motorola and Envoy are registered trademarks of Motorola, Inc. San Francisco Marathon is a licensed trademark of Marasports, Inc. Other names or product names may be registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies.
CONTACT:
Cheryl Beck-Ruff
Motorola Wireless Data Group
708/576-7150
or
Carolyn Thorng
Cunningham Communication, Inc.
617/494-8202