IBM strengthens solutions portfolio with mobile, bar code and RFID products from Zebra Technologies

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'As an IBM Solutions Partner, we are delighted to pair our extensive printing knowledge with the innovative solutions expertise of IBM's Global Technology Services team,' said Dave Crist, vice president of sales for Zebra. 'Together, we can deliver rugged enterprise applications that improve productivity and reduce costs for customers in many industries including retail, manufacturing, logistics and transportation, government and healthcare.'

This solutions portfolio encompasses a wide range of business technology applications to meet the needs of today's businesses:


• For route accounting, logistics, warehouse management and in-store retail applications, IBM and Zebra will feature the benefits of on-the-spot label and receipt printing with Zebra's RW series and QL series printers.


• In manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and back office retail operations, IBM and Zebra will leverage the Xi series performance line of printers to deliver mission-critical and high-volume bar code labeling applications.


• For companies with RFID initiatives, IBM's Express RFID Services supports Zebra's R110Xi multi-protocol printer/encoder. IBM Express RFID Services is targeted to the next tier of small- and medium-sized businesses who need to respond to compliance mandates from retailers and the U.S. Department of Defense in 2006.

'It comes at the right time for the Middle East,' says Paul Garner-Evans, Zebra Technology's Dubai based Regional Sales Manager for the Middle East, India and South Africa.

'We are embarking on an extensive expansion programme in the region and having a global agreement with a world leading company like IBM supports our efforts. We are looking forward to work closely with the IBM Middle East team.'

The IBM Express RFID Services offering hosts RFID applications software to manage data and tagging capabilities. It supports readers from Symbol Technologies as well as printers/encoders from Zebra. Because the solution is hosted and managed remotely, companies will not need to add staff or train intensively to use the solution. All that will be required is remote online access to the IBM software through a secure VPN connection.

'We believe Zebra RFID products represent a key solution for companies who need rapid implementation of a low-cost, low-risk solution for RFID tagging,' said John Eberly, IBM business development executive for the Zebra solutions relationship. 'IBM's partnering with leading RFID hardware and software vendors such as Zebra help ensure that the Express RFID Services solution leverages the industry's best-of-breed products.'

'Zebra works proactively with partners, such as IBM, to offer relevant, cost-effective solutions for the supply chain and beyond,' said Bob Cornick, vice president of RFID Solutions for Zebra. 'Both Zebra and IBM hold leadership positions in RFID technology. Our mutual objective is to help customers reap immediate benefits from their RFID implementations.'

The Zebra and IBM global agreement represents another step in the close, decade-long relationship between IBM and Zebra, which focused previously on independent service support for Zebra products in North America.