Nov/Dec 2003

Those familiar with North America will probably know Schwan's Consumer Brands, which is renowned for everything from ice cream to pizza, and is famed for its yellow-truck delivery service. Over here in the UK, Schwan's Chicago Town Pizza is said to be the country's best-selling frozen pizza brand.

Last year Schwan's Home Service division introduced mobile computers and printers on its US-based van sales operations, and now the group has extended similar technology into its American pre-sales and direct store delivery activities. As last time, it has chosen Intermec to supply the handheld computers, opting in this case for the company's 740 Color model.

Schwan is said to have been attracted by the usability of the Microsoft Pocket PC 2003 operating system and the Intermec unit's rugged, lightweight design. Schwan is expected to use Bluetooth wireless links to connect the units to printers, and later may introduce electronic signature capture on the computer touchscreen and add RFID support, which can provided through expansion ports.

Schwan's brands include Tony's, Red Baron, Freschetta, Pagoda and Larry's.