Kiabi Selects Symbol Technologies' Mobile Solutions to Manage Its Stores and Warehouses

Kiabi Selects Symbol Technologies' Mobile Solutions to Manage Its Stores and Warehouses

June 07, 2006

Enterprise Mobility Solution Tracks Low-Priced Fashion Accessories

    PARIS, June 7 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Symbol
Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: SBL), The Enterprise Mobility
Company(TM), today announced that the low-priced fashion
chain Kiabi Europe have deployed Symbol's enterprise
mobility solutions in its stores and warehouses to help
improve their logistical operations. Kiabi Europe is a
leading French clothing retailer, operating 140 stores in
France, as well as 15 stores in Spain, 1 store in Portugal
and 4 stores in Italy. Kiabi have implemented Symbol's
end-to-end wireless solution to assist with optimising work
for its users and improve productivity. The newly deployed
mobile computers run on Symbol's wireless network
infrastructure and are managed by Symbol's Mobility
Services Platform (MSP), enabling Kiabi to easily manage
the new infrastructure and the mobile devices that are
attached to it.

    To improve logistical operations in its warehouses,
Kiabi equipped one of its warehouses, (covering 15 000
meters squared), with Symbol's PDT6100 and PDT6800
terminals. Following the successful completion of the
pilot, a second warehouse, (covering 30 000 meters
squared), was fully equipped with over 200 MC3000 and
MC9000 mobile computers in early 2006. The mobile computers
are used for preparing orders, validating picked items and
for deliveries. Both warehouses saved a considerable amount
of time using Symbol mobile computers that connected
wirelessly to the Symbol wireless network infrastructure,
which included AP4131 access points. With its transparent
data transfer functionality, the network allowed for
real-time tracking of Kiabi's operations. 

    "We are delighted with the excellent commercial
relationship we have established with Symbol, who have
accompanied us throughout the process of overhauling our
system and deploying our new solution." said Eric
Couvelaere, Kiabi's IS Technical Architecture Manager.
"In addition to the easy implementation and use of
Symbol's mobile solution, we have observed a very swift
return on investment. Moreover, we appreciate the
robustness and reliability of the Symbol devices."

    Encouraged both by the rapid adoption of Symbol's
mobile computers and the success of the wireless
infrastructure in its warehouses, Kiabi sought to extend
the process to its stores. A pilot was set up in one of its
sales outlets using Symbol's PPT8800 portable terminals
running a business application developed in-house, and
connected via Symbol's wireless radio network and AP4131
access points. The solution enabled store personnel to
directly consult stocks, check prices, monitor incoming and
outgoing goods, and prepare markdowns. Store staff were won
over by the solution, with considerable gains in terms of
both productivity and efficiency being made.

    To remotely manage, deploy and administer the mobile
computers deployed across the various sites, Kiabi
installed Symbol's MSP platform to monitor devices, perform
upgrades, and check batteries, thus reducing costs and time.
MSP represents a modular platform with a single control
point for easy management of the entire mobile solution.

    "Symbol is the world leader in mobile solutions,
boasting unparalleled experience and expertise in the
design of mobile technologies," said Nicolas Segons,
general manager, Symbol France. "We have worked
hand-in-hand with Kiabi to integrate a high-performance
mobile solution." 

    A third warehouse has also been equipped with a further
200 mobile computers during May 2006. Kiabi has also
deployed a Wi-Fi network in its central services location
based on Symbol's Wireless Switch WS5100 model to allow
those working on laptops to exchange data in real-time and
with complete security.

    About Symbol Technologies

    Symbol Technologies, Inc., The Enterprise Mobility
Company(TM), is a recognized worldwide leader in enterprise
mobility, delivering products and solutions that capture,
move and manage information in real time to and from the
point of business activity. Symbol enterprise mobility
solutions integrate advanced data capture products, radio
frequency identification technology, mobile computing
platforms, wireless infrastructure, mobility software and
world-class services programs. Symbol enterprise mobility
products and solutions are proven to increase workforce
productivity, reduce operating costs, drive operational
efficiencies and realize competitive advantages for the
world's leading companies. More information is available at
http://www.symbol.com .

    About Kiabi

    Low-priced fashion! Kiabi invented this concept, now
widespread, in 1978, and remains firmly associated with it.
Making the most of two of Northern France's historical
trades - textiles and distribution, the company has
remained steadfastly faithful to its original concept.
Today, its 140 sales outlets established in France, Spain,
Italy and Portugal offer high-quality, low-priced fashion
accessories for men, women and children. With its excellent
reputation, Kiabi realized sales of euro 600 million in
2005, and is set on quickly becoming France's leading
player in its sector.

    For more information, please contact:

    Media: 

     Helen Rigby
     Symbol Technologies EMEA
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

     Bill Abelson
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

    Investors:
 
     Lori Chaitman
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

     Shirley Schroedl
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  Symbol Technologies, Inc.