Brother Hands IT Developers and Systems Integrators Key Component for Mobile Enterprise Solutions

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Wireless Developer Network - Daily News

Brother Hands IT Developers and Systems Integrators Key Component for Mobile Enterprise Solutions

NEW ORLEANS--March 19, 2003-- Pocket-Size Brother MPrint Micro Printer Allows PDAs, Tablets and Notebooks to Realize Their Full Potential in Field Automation

Innovative new devices in the PDA, tablet and notebook category are driving the market for a range of mobile solutions. In some instances these solutions have the potential to revitalize or even save a slipping category. Such is the case with the MPrint micro printer by Brother(R).

The MPrint micro printer is an ultra light weight, pocket size wireless printer that interfaces with Windows based tablets, and notebooks; Pocket PC(R) based PDAs and Palm based PDAs. Its compact size, internal paper cassette, and variety of output media (A7 size ThermaPlus(R) M paper, self-adhesive labels and carbon copy paper), open up a world of new possibilities for the use of mobile enterprise devices in the field.

"The complete realization of a truly mobile enterprise is not possible unless that final tether, the one binding the field force to its desktop printer, is broken," says Dean F. Shulman, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Brother. "The MPrint micro printer does that and more. For the PDA, the MPrint micro printer has the potential of elevating its perceived functionality from that of a glorified date book to a much more integral component of the mobile enterprise."

With the MPrint micro printer, Brother is actively supporting efforts to move the PDA beyond its basic personal information management (PIM) function through the development of custom applications. Expected early adopters include those in the field sales force industries, financial services, medical application development and retail information technology.

"The technology behind Brother's MPrint micro printer is perfectly suited to the needs of any one of these industries," adds Gary Marsh, Director of Product Development at Brother. "It's quiet, compact, light-weight, requires no warm-up time and uses easy to manage consumables."

The MPrint micro printer rounds out the idea of mobile computing by facilitating its final stage -- output anywhere it may be needed. Its ultra sleek, super slim 4.0" x 6.4" x 0.7" silver case form factor weighs in at under 10 ounces. Also included are a 50 sheet paper cassette and a built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery capable of printing up to 100 pages on a single charge. As a mobile peripheral it interfaces wirelessly with PDAs via an infra-red port. A USB port facilitates printing from tablets and notebooks.

The MPrint micro printer uses ThermaPlus(R) M paper tailored specifically for mobile applications. ThermaPlus(R) M paper feels like plain paper, is easy to write on, allows the use of highlighters and reduces print fading. The unique carbon copy paper simultaneously prints an original and copy. It even supports capture of a client signature for authorization or proof of receipt.

MPrint micro printer uses a stationary print head that delivers high-quality, whisper-quiet printing. There is no warm-up time at all, so printing is available as soon as MPrint is switched on. The built-in software even makes it possible to print letter size documents onto the MPrint micro printer's A7 paper.

APPLICATIONS IN THE MAKING

Brother is exhibiting the new MPrint micro printer at the Microsoft Mobility Developer Conference (Booth #312) at CTIA 2003 as a way to demonstrate the potential for providing mobile printing solutions.

"We're certain that once the IT developers responsible for implementing mobile enterprise solutions see our MPrint micro printer demonstrated, they will immediately identify many exciting customer applications that are long overdue," notes Gary Marsh.

There are as many MPrint micro printer applications as there are vertical markets. Field sales force personnel can use it to print out up-to-the-minute business quotes. Maintenance engineers can use it to print repair reports and certified inspection stickers. Doctors and visiting nurses can quickly print out home healthcare instructions for care- givers and patients. Product information can be printed from a Pocket PC that is linked to a warehouse POS system, making inventory control solutions a feasible solution as well.

Brother also provides a software developers kit for developers looking to create custom applications. MPrint micro printer is slated for availability in the U.S. beginning in May 2003. Currently it is only available to IT developers and solutions providers. The estimated street price will be $299.

ABOUT BROTHER

Bridgewater, N.J. is the corporate headquarters for Brother in the Americas, from Canada to South America and has fully integrated sales, marketing, services, manufacturing, research and development capabilities, located here in the U.S. In addition to its headquarters, Brother has facilities in California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Tennessee and Texas as well as subsidiaries in Ohio, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Mexico.

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