Psion Teklogix, today unveiled the NETBOOK PRO, a unique task-oriented mobile computing device aimed at the rapidly growing mobile CRM (Customer Relationship Management) market, including sales force automation, field service management and field inspection/data collection. This new mobile computing device bridges the gap between the small and large form factors, such as the PDA and laptop, eliminating the difficult trade-offs that enterprises have been forced to make in the past.

The NETBOOK PRO is a unique, high-performance clamshell mobile computer that offers exceptional ergonomics, unparalleled flexibility and ease of integration in a single device. The new hand-held computer combines the virtues of the PDA-size, battery life, low support costs, weight, as well as touch screen and instant-on capabilities, with the benefits of a laptop-large screen size, expansion and connectivity flexibility and a full keyboard.

“Businesses continue to look for ways to mobilise their workforces,” said Norbert Dawalibi, President and Chief Executive Officer, Psion Teklogix. “There is a gap in the market for a product that meets the needs of mobile CRM workforces. Presently, field workers have to make do with consumer-oriented PDAs or bulky, expensive laptops. The task-oriented design and feature set of the NETBOOK PRO meet the demands of mobile workforces today and well into the future. The launch of the NETBOOK PRO signals Psion Teklogix’ commitment to continue to drive-and strengthen our position in-the burgeoning mobile computing market.”

With NETBOOK PRO’s striking, full-colour SVGA screen, web pages and other business applications can be viewed in the same format as a notebook or desktop PC. With its instant-on capability and a full keyboard that is large enough for comfortable touch-typing, extensive amounts of data can be entered quickly and with greater ease than touch-screen-only PDA devices. The combination of its size-about half that of a typical laptop-and its light weight makes the NETBOOK PRO ideal for mobile computing applications.

Additionally, the NETBOOK PRO offers unparalleled connectivity and expansion capabilities for a small form factor device. Flexible expansion means that the NETBOOK PRO can be tailored to the unique needs of each customer. Its range of expandability options and superior memory size offer significant advantages over small form factor devices such as PDAs.

Operating on the latest Windows CE.NET platform and Intel XScale PXA 255 processor, the NETBOOK PRO is well-suited for sales force automation, field service management and field inspection/data collection tasks, among others. Ease of application integration, comprehensive application development tools and a growing set of connected capabilities make Windows CE.NET an ideal choice for next-generation mobile computing products such as the NETBOOK PRO. Further, the Windows CE.NET operating system was the logical choice for the NETBOOK PRO, as it addresses the growing popularity of this operating system within the enterprise as well as allowing seamless, reliable integration into back-office systems. Windows CE.NET supports advanced networking and security protocols that make it an excellent match for distributed computing applications. Other industry standards such as 802.11b, Bluetooth, GSM/GPRS and CDMA/1xRTT can be easily integrated into the NETBOOK PRO to address a wide variety of enterprise mobile computing needs, both today and in the future.

The NETBOOK PRO will be available in North America and Europe at the end of October, 2003 from Psion Teklogix’ sales offices, distributors and value-added resellers.