MEMPHIS, Tenn.-Shipping giant FedEx Corp. announced it will begin using new wireless devices built by Motorola Inc. and running on Microsoft Corp.’s personal digital assistant operating system.
FedEx said the device is currently under testing, and that it will be available early next year to 40,000 of the company’s couriers.
The FedEx deal is significant in a number of ways. First, Motorola will be using Microsoft’s Pocket PC software, a first for Motorola. The company, along with many of the rest of the world’s largest mobile phone makers, created the Symbian joint venture to make operating systems for advanced wireless devices. Symbian is a direct competitor to Microsoft, which also sells operating systems for wireless PDAs and smart phones.
Motorola officials were not immediately available for comment.
However, Motorola will not be the only major mobile phone company using Microsoft software-Samsung Corp. has licensed Microsoft’s Pocket PC software to make wireless devices.
The FedEx deal is also important for AT&T Wireless Services Inc., which signed a deal earlier this year to provide network services to the shipping company.
“We continuously explore ways that technology can help us improve customer service, and the FedEx PowerPad is the latest example,” said Winn Stephenson, senior vice president of IT development for FedEx. “The FedEx PowerPad will give FedEx Express couriers convenient online access from any location, allowing them to update customer-package information almost immediately. We expect to be adding even more customer service features.”
Using the device, FedEx couriers will no longer need to return to their van to upload package information or refer to manuals for additional shipping and service information.
