Psion Teklogix and Fortress Technologies Provide Secure Wireless Systems for DoD

June 1, 2003
Mississauga, ON and Tampa, FL, - Psion Teklogix (LSE: PON), a leader in rugged mobile computing devices and wireless LAN system implementation and support,

Mississauga, ON and Tampa, FL, - Psion Teklogix (LSE: PON), a leader in rugged mobile computing devices and wireless LAN system implementation and support, and Fortress Technologies, a leader in security for wireless networks, announced the U.S. Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) is securing its 802.11b wireless system from Psion Teklogix with Fortress Technologies' AirFortress wireless security. DeCA is a federal agency that provides groceries and household goods to active military personnel, their families, military retirees and other authorized users through a worldwide chain of nearly 280 commissaries.

Psion Teklogix is reselling Fortress Technologies' AirFortress wireless security to DeCA for installation at two of DeCA's European warehouses and across all of its stores in Europe, the Far East, and the United States. The AirFortress deployment will secure the Psion Teklogix 802.11b wireless system already in place at DeCA and provide a secure, efficient means for staff to manage inventory flow and product shelf maintenance. Fortress Technologies is the first company to offer an 802.11b wireless security solution with FIPS 140 certification, indicating compliance with government security standards.

"The fact that requisite AirFortress products are included on Psion Teklogix's GSA Schedule made it easy for the security component to be added to our system," said John Goodman, chief, Technology Management Division, Directorate of Information Technology, Defense Commissary Agency. "We have achieved a cost-effective solution while protecting our investment and positioning DeCA to optimize its operations."

AirFortress will be installed on the DeCA's wireless network to protect the Psion Teklogix 7035 hand-held computers currently in use. One of the warehouse deployments will include an upgrade to Psion Teklogix 9150 wireless gateways as well as 8255 and 8260 vehicle-mount computers for use in the freezer warehouse environment, replacing the narrowband system previously in place.

"This deployment harnesses the strengths of Psion Teklogix and Fortress Technologies to provide a secure wireless system built specifically for rugged warehouse and retail environments," said Don Adams, vice president, Psion Teklogix. "Our partnership with Fortress Technologies provided the enhanced security demanded by the Department of Defense to ensure a wireless system that will protect the network and the data being exchanged on it."

"Security is a strategic investment required by any large-scale retail or supply chain company," said John Dow, director of business development, Fortress Technologies. "DeCA's choice to implement AirFortress to secure its Psion Teklogix system demonstrates its commitment to protecting critical data and devices and to ensuring that the agency maintains optimal productivity and minimizes downtime that could result from a security breach."

Deployment of the Psion Teklogix/Fortress Technologies system has already begun following an RFP process involving several network companies. Installation at the European facilities began in January 2003. Deployments in the United States and the Far East began in March 2003.

The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of nearly 280 commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment.

Psion Teklogix is a global provider of rugged mobile devices and wireless LAN systems and support to the enterprise. For more information, visit www.psionteklogix.com.

Fortress Technologies offers flexible and market-proven security products that address the inherent risks and vulnerabilities of 802.11 and other wireless networks. For more information, visit www.fortresstech.com.