News

  • Home > News

        Windows Mobile gets a job in restaurants and sports venues

        Staff | Date: Oct 27, 2003 | Comments: 1


        Symbol Technologies announced deployments of Windows Mobile powered wireless handhelds in the Medieval Times dinner theaters chain, NBA City restaurant, and NBA stadiums. The applications are based on Symbol's PPT 8800 "enterprise PDAs" running Microsoft's Windows Mobile 2003 software platform, Symbol's Wi-Fi wireless networking...

        technology, and "21st Century Restaurant" software from hospitality solution provider Ameranth Wireless.

        (Click here for larger photo -- alternate keypad version)

        At Medieval Times dinner theaters, located throughout the U.S., patrons are seated at tables surrounding a full-size arena in which jousting contests are staged. Previously, the restaurant deployed a large number of serving staff who would have to walk considerable distances from the customers' tables to place customer orders, then wait for the orders and beverages to be prepared before returning to the customer.

        The NBA City Restaurant in Orlando, Fla., also has implemented a mobility solution using Symbol Wi-Fi wireless networking technology and Symbol PPT 8800 enterprise PDAs equipped with cutting-edge software from Ameranth to increase the efficiency of table turnover. Using this enterprise PDA solution, restaurant staff can immediately communicate table status from any point in the 17,500-square-foot multi-story restaurant to the host stand, and alert staff equipped with pagers to take action.

        In addition to the deployment at this NBA City restaurant, the Symbol/Ameranth mobility solution is also being used at National Basketball Association arenas in Chicago, Denver, Miami, Toronto and Los Angeles to speed the ordering process in luxury suites to ensure quick and accurate service.

        Key features and specifications of the Symbol PPT 8800 include . . .
        • Processor -- 400MHz Intel XScale
        • Software platform options -- Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PCs or Windows CE .NET
        • Memory -- 64MB RAM plus 64MB Flash
        • Display -- 240 x 320 (QVGA) transflective 65K color TFT LCD, with LED backlight
        • Touch Panel -- glass analog resistive touch
        • Interfaces --
          • IrDA standard v1.2 (115 kbps)
          • Serial RS-232 (115 kbps)
          • USB device
        • Expansion -- internal CompactFlash type card slot
        • Embedded wireless options:
          • IEEE 802.11b Spectrum24 CF
          • Bluetooth CF with Encryption support
          • Dual-radio: Bluetooth module and WLAN
          • Spectrum24 CF coexistence solution
        • Audio -- built-in speaker and microphone, headset jack
        • Keypad Options -- backlit standard PDA version and backlit 15-key with power button version
        • Battery -- rechargeable Lithium Ion 1700 mAh, with Ni-MH rechargeable backup battery
        • Dimensions -- 1.3 x 3.2 x 5.75 in.
        • Weight -- 10-11 oz (depending on options)