Blackroc then diversified into the development and production of a range of other handheld products, both as fully integrated units and peripheral add-ons which had various Auto-ID capabilities including laser barcode reading, CCD readers, RFID readers, magnetic stripe readers and portable printing devices, many of which the Company still produces today.
Leveraging the solid foundation of core engineering competence and experience at the sharp-end in actually making products, Tony Jephcott decided, in 1998, to expand Blackroc's capabilities into the area of channel distribution, where because of its core engineering roots, Blackroc would be able to offer its channel partners a level of technical support second to none, and this is the cornerstone of Blackroc's growth and success.
The Distribution division of the company has achieved remarkable success in a short space of time and is now one of the leading players in the UK AIDC channel sector.
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The Company's first products included the RO range of rugged handhelds based on the Psion Organiser which soon found favour in some of the most demanding applications including construction, surveying, forestry and the military. The product was used by all three main branches of the military - Army, Navy, and Air Force - and also by special forces. Indeed the Royal Navy were procuring the rugged handhelds for use on board all their warships right up until year 2000.