Nov/Dec 2005

FedEx drivers in the UK are to be issued with the company's PowerPad handheld computers as part of a drive by the organisation to extend their use globally.

FedEx has ordered 10,000 more of the ruggedised handheld devices, which were first introduced in 2002. They are based on the Pocket PC platform, and were originally developed in association with Motorola to replace the company's long-serving SuperTracker units. They feature GPRS communications, and reportedly may also be adapted to work with 802.11g wireless networking if this becomes appropriate in future.

The latest wave of devices is being deployed in the UK, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, France and the United Arab Emirates. FedEx says it aims to deploy 50,000 devices to its express couriers in more than 60 countries by 2007.

There are already ongoing projects to deploy additional devices in the Middle East, the US, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Taiwan and Singapore. FedEx says that when the programme is completed, it will have spent more than $200 million over five years on new wireless technology.