News

Food company using handhelds to boost productivity

October 28, 2003

EVERETT, Wash. -- Intermec Technologies Corp. has been selected by Schwan's Consumer Brands North America, a division of The Schwan Food Company, to provide handheld computers to automate pre-sales and direct store delivery activities for 1,200 routes in North America.

Schwan pre-sales personnel will use Intermec 740 Color mobile computers to accept sales orders, review up-to-date pricing and promotions with customers, and view customer sales history. The company's DSD drivers will use 740s to view delivery instructions, exchange data with in-store systems and transact settlement at the customer site, according to a news release.

Schwan's Consumer Brands North America markets leading brands, including Tony's, Red Baron, Freschetta, Pagoda and Larry's, to grocery stores and other retail locations.

The 740 Color has the power and features to support the more robust applications Schwan is planning to use, including additional software functionality and Bluetooth wireless communications to save time in printing operations.

The combination of the Microsoft Pocket PC 2003 operating system and the rugged, lightweight 740 Color design will help Schwan meet its goal of improving retail execution through better communication from the headquarters level, the release said.

The 740 Color also has functionality for future applications, including electronic signature capture on the computer touchscreen and RFID support, that can be added through expansion ports.