Blackroc Technology Launches Pro60 Mobile Printer for Psion Teklogix WORKABOUT PRO
(11-01-2007)

Blackroc Technology has launched the new Pro60 Bluetooth mobile printer that integrates with Psion Teklogix's WORKABOUT PRO range of rugged mobile computers to provide an all-in-one mobile computing and printing solution.

The new Pro60 printer is a lightweight, 60mm fast thermal printer that is designed to fit seamlessly onto the back of Psion Teklogix's WORKABOUT PRO mobile computers. It can also be belt mounted, if preferred. Featuring a high power field replaceable battery and "easyload" paper roll replacement mechanism, the Pro60 provides the perfect printing solution for applications that need to print receipts and tickets on the move, such as parking enforcement, rental services, mobile retail and logistics.

The printer's high power battery can be recharged in under 5 hours using a standard WORKABOUT PRO power supply, whilst connected to the WORKABOUT PRO through the standard cradle, or it can be separated and recharged directly through a variety of cable adapters available with the printer.

The unit is also designed to work with other devices developed by Blackroc Technology in the WORKABOUT PRO range, including the full range of communications endcaps or the high resolution camera.

Duncan Smillie managing director from Psion Teklogix states "Blackroc's P60 printer for the WORKABOUT MX proved very popular. The Pro60 is the natural progressor to the P60 and we are delighted to be able to offer this to our WORKABOUT PRO customers. It fits perfectly onto the unit offering one of the lightest and most compact combined mobile computing and printing solutions on the market and its sure to be a great success."

For more information about this product please click here or alternatively call a sales representative on 01785 279200.

AIDC Industry's First Channel Trade Show Is a Huge Success
(02-08-2006)

The first AIDC Channel Show took place on 25th and 26th July at Blackroc Distribution's conference centre in Stafford. The event was the first show put on exclusively for VARs, systems integrators and solution providers that focused solely on barcode, data capture and rugged mobile computing technologies.

Feedback on the show has been very positive. A number of attendees commented that they had come to the event specifically to see products from the manufacturers with whom they had no direct relationship, many of whom had exciting products that they were interested in evaluating for current projects.

John Wood, Account Manager for DataScan Systems comments "I attended the AIDC Channel Show as I was very keen to find out about Trakware's application development tool which I see as potentially being a lower cost alternative to MCL. In addition I wanted to get the opportunity to meet with a number of the manufacturers and to see their latest products. The show enabled me to do all of this in one day and I'll definitely be attending the next one."

Five of the leading manufacturers exhibited at the show demonstrating both their new products and their existing product range. Hand Held Products had its new 7600 mobile computer on display for the very first time in the UK. Datalogic had its new Black Jet mobile computer and the new Skorpio retail handheld terminal and Psion Teklogix were showing the new Workabout Pro. Intermec and Zebra both had brand new mobile printers on show with Intermec showing the PB42 and Zebra displaying the RW220.

In addition to the major manufacturers, attendees were also able to see demonstrations on software products specifically designed to support mobile applications including B2M's mProdigy mobile management system and Trakware's Active Studio mobile application development tool. Service and support was also on display from National Service Center.

The exhibitors at the show were also very pleased with the event and the quality of the visitors. All have expressed an interest in taking place in the next event, planned for November this year.

Willie Watt, Distribution Manager for Zebra Technologies comments "It gives us the chance to exhibit and talk to people about the Zebra mobile range of printers. Zebra identified Blackroc as one of the leaders in field force automation and route accounting distribution. We jumped at the chance to be here."

Colin Pike, Key Account Manager for Datalogic comments "It's the first time a distributor has done something that is genuinely different. It gives partners the chance to talk to each of the manufacturers individually and to talk about their own individual applications."

Following the show's successs, Blackroc plans to run this event twice a year to coincide with the launch of new products from the major manufacturers. The next event is provisionally scheduled for November and Blackroc plans to announce the date shortly.

Martyn Broadhead, Managing Director for Blackroc Distribution comments "We have been delighted by the response to the show. We knew there was a gap in the market for this sort of event and the feedback received has been really. We are now planning on running two shows per year to give the channel a chance to see all the latest products from the manufacturers without having to wait a full year for the next event to come around."

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BLACKROC SIGNS MASTER DISTRIBUTION DEAL WITH B2M SOLUTIONS
(02-06-2006)

Blackroc Distribution Ltd has signed a master distribution deal with B2M Solutions, innovators in the management of the mobile enterprise. Through the deal, Blackroc will provide its extensive portfolio of resellers and solutions providers with access to B2M's mprodigy mobile management product suite.

With mprodigy, resellers and solutions providers now have an inexpensive way to add a device management layer to their applications. It enables them to enhance their application software and improve its deployment across a mobile enterprise. With the support of mprodigy's comprehensive and robust measurement information, they can also improve the return on investment and total cost of ownership of a mobile system.

As Martyn Broadhead, Managing Director director of Blackroc explains, "Working with B2M Solutions was a perfect strategic fit. The mprodigy device management solution is highly innovative and currently unique in the market. We are always looking to add value to our solutions providers and mprodigy will add real value to those managing large numbers of mobile devices irrespective of whether these are used in white or blue-collar applications. Given the rapid growth in deployment of mobile devices, we are looking forward to achieving significant revenues with B2M Solutions."

The mprodigy management suite allows an IT operation to control an entire population of mobile computers from their support centre. It dramatically reduces the time and effort needed to keep devices working out in the field, fully operational and up to date. The aim is that minimal human intervention is needed to manage these devices.

"Working with Blackroc provides excellent exposure for our new mobile management solution," confirmed Julie Purves, Managing Director of B2M Solutions. "Our approach has always been to focus on helping our customers to get the very best from both the technology and the people involved in an enterprise-wide mobile deployment."

Insight IT - application

B2M has already started to work with Blackroc reseller Insight IT. Andy Crokey, Managing Director of Insight IT says: "When Blackroc introduced us to B2M Solutions, I knew they had the exact mobile management system we needed."

Insight IT's Pick-IT application enables farmers to collect data on produce, such as soft fruit, when it is picked in the field and associate that information with the location and the individual picker. This ensures highly accurate information for picker salaries and quality checking. Most importantly, it provides full traceability of goods as it moves from the field, through processing until it reaches a retailer's shelf.

"With the addition of B2M's mprodigy, our customer's mobile devices running Pick-IT now have a robust management system. The GPRS communications capability of mprodigy enables in-field devices to send all data back to a farmer's back-office system in real time. It also provides remote device management so that we can keep handsets fully operational and updated from the central management team. The licensing feature also ensures we can monitor and manage the number of user licenses at a customer's site."

About B2M Solutions - Managing the Mobile Enterprise B2M Solutions specialises in the management of mobile solutions. The company's products and services embrace both the underlying technology and the human factors involved in successful implementation and management of the mobile enterprise. Its mprodigy product suite delivers comprehensive Mobile Enterprise Management including Device Management, Communications Management, Asset Management, Supplier Management and Application Monitoring.

B2M's mprodigy suite is designed specifically to help organisations keep employees out on the road, control mobile assets and suppliers more effectively, as well as ensure streamlined change management when new mobile technology is introduced to field staff.

Partnering for success
(01-06-2006)

When AIDC (Automatic Identification and Data Capture) leader, Blackroc Group Ltd, partnered with mobile computing leader, Psion Teklogix, over seven years ago the two organisations had one single goal in mind; to produce and distribute the best handheld device for the warehousing and logistics market. Since then, the partnership has created significant revenue streams for both companies - enabling each to reach new customer sectors and vertical markets by combining their collective knowledge and experience.

Blackroc Group first worked alongside Psion Teklogix as an OEM designing and integrating data capture technologies into the Workabout classic and MX handhelds. Whilst Blackroc Technology has continued this work with the Workabout Pro, Blackroc Distribution has focussed on distributing the Workabout Pro to its network of value added resellers, with great success.

As a Premier+ Partner, Blackroc Distribution receives targeted promotional and sales support from Psion Teklogix including funding for specific joint marketing activities - giving the company an important competitive advantage in a challenging market. The organisation is also entitled to discounts on bulk orders, priority access to product training, solution updates and marketing funds - as well as a secure web link between both partners' web sites. In return, Blackroc Distribution Ltd has agreed to undergo training and certification on Psion Teklogix's solutions, and is committed to meeting pre-agreed revenue targets for 2006.

Martyn Broadhead, Managing Director at Blackroc Distribution comments, "We have always had a great track record of supplying value added distribution services to resellers in the mobile computing, logistics and warehouse industry - and supporting our channel partners when they spot an opportunity to develop software applications for the hardware that we supply. Psion Teklogix has the commendable ability to listen to our needs, understand our area of expertise and come up with a way of working that's one of a kind. At the end of the day, everybody wins!"

Duncan Smillie, UK Managing Director for Psion Teklogix explains; "When we first launched our Premier+ Partnership programme, we knew that Blackroc Distribution had to be included and would be one of our most important associates. The organisation goes way beyond just shifting boxes and the added value they provide to the channel is outstanding. With their understanding of the channel, coupled with stock profile and technical knowledge, Blackroc Distribution has more than met these requirements. Both of our businesses have thrived in this dynamic market and I'm certain they'll continue to do so."

Broadhead continues, "Throughout our partnership, Psion Teklogix have continued to update their Workabout Pro solution - keeping it completely up-to-date with the latest operating systems and enhanced communication technologies. It really goes to show how committed they are to the brand. It's this attitude, along with a strong understanding of the marketplace that has made Psion Teklogix as successful as they are to day. And we're excited to be a part of that."

Psion Teklogix takes its UK Partner programme very seriously. Partners are assessed to determine their level of commitment and are qualified only upon completion of a successful training schedule. The programme encourages ongoing collaboration to produce exceptional products and services to our mutual customers.

Blackroc Announces Major New RFID Agreement with Magellan Technology Pty Ltd
(05-04-2006)

Blackroc Technology has announced an agreement with newly incorporated Magellan Technology (Europe) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Magellan Technology Pty Ltd.

The two companies have entered into an agreement whereby Blackroc will provide all the necessary business resources and infrastructure to enable Magellan Technology (Europe) to operate effectively throughout Europe from Blackroc's offices in the UK. The partnership includes the appointment of Tony Jephcott as Managing Director of the newly formed organisation, and extends to include full management and resource support ? everything Magellan will need to drive their business throughout EMEA.

Tony Jephcott comments "Magellan has some very exciting technology that could revolutionise RFID. Our agreement with Magellan will extend to market development and engineering support for all levels of the Magellan product portfolio, and this will enable Blackroc to bring an unprecedented level of RFID expertise to the channel." Tony will remain CEO of Blackroc Technology Ltd.

Magellan will be co-locating at the Blackroc headquarters in Stafford, sharing office, warehouse and engineering premises, and supporting sales offices and PJM demonstration sites located in Stafford, UK and Munich, Germany. Technical support services will be provided from Stafford. "The combination of Magellan's high speed PJM technology, with on the ground support from an experienced AIDC/RFID systems house such as Blackroc in Europe is a winning combination in the rollout of the advanced RFID technology," said Tim Frost, Executive Chairman and CEO of Magellan Technology. " We are delighted to have Tony Jephcott joining the UK based team and are confident that he will contribute significantly to the success of our European activities."

Magellan's high-speed PJM Technology Phase Jitter Modulation or PJM is an innovative passive HF RFID technology developed by Magellan Technology and protected by patents and copyrights worldwide. It is more than 10 times faster than other existing HF technologies. Magellan offers a wide range of PJM products, including RFID chips and inlets as well as a large portfolio of powerful read and write devices. The importance of this technology is acknowledged by ISO/IEC 18000 Part 3 Mode 2, as a new RFID standard published in August 2004 by the International Standards Organization.

The PJM StackTag and PJM ItemTag? chips and inlets, equipped with 8 KBit of user memory offer incredible data rates of 424 KBit/s and contain a very powerful anti-collision algorithm allowing reliably identification rates of many hundred tags per second. All communication between the reader and tags is protected by a 16/32bit CRC to avoid false identification or unreliable data transmissions to RFID tags. This allows a reliable writing speed of unique 96-bit numbers into user memory at a rate of 3,000 tags per minute. In case of identifying and reading a unique 96-bit number from user memory, an incredible rate of 15,000 items per minute is reached. Security features include a unique chip ID, issued and locked during RFID chip manufacturing, password controlled write access modes and a lock pointer to prevent any future modifications or tampering to locked memory cells. The PJM StackTag? is optimised for applications where multiple tags are overlapping or stacked tightly with zero separation. Identifying, reading and writing to individual RFID tags in a stack of many hundred tightly stacked RFID labels or even documents, offers unique features to apply RFID in areas where all other technologies fail.

The Magellan PJM Reader portfolio is optimized to utilise the ultimate performance of the PJM RFID technology and addresses special requirements of the pharmaceutical supply chain from manufacturing to distribution.

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Blackroc & Datalogic Re-Establish Firm Partnership
(15-03-2006)

Datalogic UK has announced that it has formed a new distribution partnership with Blackroc Technology, one of the UK's leading value added AIDC distributors.

This relationship has been re-established following Datalogic's increased focus on mobile computing. Blackroc has always been very strong in mobile computing, an area that it is continually looking to further develop as part of its growth strategy. Blackroc will offer the full range of Datalogic's scanning and data capture products, including handheld terminals and mobile computers.

Martyn Broadhead, Sales & Marketing Director for Blackroc comments "I am delighted to be able to announce this agreement with Datalogic. Both companies have changed the way they work over the last few years and our business models are now much more closely aligned. With the launch of the Datalogic Jet and Kyman Net, Datalogic now has some great mobile computing products. It also has some really exciting products that are due for release later this year. I am confident that these will be well received by our solution provider customers."

Paul Duggan, Managing Director for Datalogic UK comments "Blackroc is one of the largest mobile computing distributors in the UK. With Datalogic's decision to increase its focus and new product development in this area we see this appointment as one which is very important to our business. Blackroc's comprehensive range of professional and technical services will provide our partners with additional support and resource to help them to win more mobile computing opportunities with Datalogic product. I am confident that our two businesses will work well together resulting in a highly successful partnership."