Riyadh, 14 April, 2003-- Almarai, the leading dairy and food brand in the Middle East, recently confirmed a multi million Saudi Riyal project for Intermec Technologies 700 Series Mobile and Hand-Held Computers.
A cornerstone of Almarai success has been the deployment and utilisation of hi-tech solutions within their operations. Through its network of 28 distribution depots, Almarai services 20,000 customers on a daily basis across Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
Intermec’s 700 Series Computers will provide the mobile computing platform for Almarai’s sales management and information system, across this distribution network. Aidan Tynan, Almarai’s Head of Sales, stated “We’re operating within an extremely fast moving market, in which the competitive landscape is changing rapidly. It’s important therefore that we can monitor sales at a customer and product level. Such information is vital for Almarai to continue to grow revenues, increase market share and reduce returns”.
The 700 Series computer, for which Intermec Technology was recently recognised by Microsoft Corporation, as their OEM Embedded Partner of the Year, is the industry’s leading hand held and mobile computer. It runs Microsoft’s Pocket PC operating system and can provide integrated functions and communications, such as scanning, imaging, Bluetooth, local area wireless networks and GSM/GPRS. They also have easy to read Colour touch screens with either pen or keyboard data entry and a drop resistant case. The device will stand up to the demanding environment of the Gulf, with the ability to withstand dust, rain and of course the local high humidity and temperatures and tough terrain. Claude Tonna-Barthet, Almarai’s Business Systems Manager added: “Intermec’s 700 computer was the right product to choose, based on both price and performance. This computer really holds the leading edge in so many ways. In addition it has a proven track record with many other blue-chip companies and brands in the FMCG sector also choosing the 700 family, across the globe. Finally Intermec has a regional operation in Dubai, which enables us to maintain a close direct relationship with the manufacturer.”
The 700 Computers will be deployed across almost 500 routes throughout the region. Almarai will be supplied and supported by Mirnah Technology Ltd of Riyadh, an Intermec Premier Solutions Partner. Mirnah have extensive experience in deploying Intermec computers for many other food and beverage and general consumer goods distribution companies. Mirnah are providing their “RoutePro32” software, which is the region’s leading Route Accounting and Van Sales Delivery application software package. RoutePro32 will be utilised by Almarai in a fully Arabised version, a key requirement for the Saudi Arabian and Gulf markets. Dr Shafi Aldamer, the Vice Chairman for Mirnah Technology stipulated “Mirnah has made huge investments in the development, integration and support of RoutePro32 and it’s satisfying to see this acknowledged as the No 1 software solution for this application by being selected by Almarai.”
Colin Summers, Intermec’s Regional Manager summarised: “The key factor of our success is that Intermec has provided a ‘solution’ not a product. We have many years of experience within Almarai’s marketplace and a large number of customers utilising our equipment in similar route accounting and van sales applications. It’s this industry knowledge combined with the RoutePro32 Software, running on what is now recognised as the industry’s leading mobile computer, which provided the winning combination for Almarai.” Summers added :”We take great pride in the fact that Intermec’s 700 series really will enable Almarai to get the right product on the right shelf at the right time to the right customer”.
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About Intermec
Intermec Technologies Corp., a UNOVA Inc. (NYSE:UNA) company, a recent Microsoft OEM Embedded Partner of the Year, is a leader in global supply chain solutions and in the development, manufacture and integration of wired and wireless automated data collection, Intellitag® RFID (radio frequency identification) and mobile computing systems. The company’s products and services are used by customers in many industries to improve productivity, quality and responsiveness of business operations, from supply chain management and enterprise resource planning to field sales and service.
To learn more about how companies can benefit from Intermec’s 700 series mobile computers, or related hand-held, networking and printer products, contact Intermec Technologies Middle East, Office 313, Building 1, Dubai Internet City, PO Box 500273, Dubai, U.A.E.; tel:+971.4.3911940, fax: +971.4.3918751. Or visit Intermec's web site at www.intermec.com. To learn more about UNOVA, visit www.unova.com.
About Almarai
Almarai is the largest dairy and foods company in the GCC with a 40% share of the fresh diary market and is headquartered in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Almarai is also the largest integrated dairy company in the world with a herd of 40,000 cows.
Almarai’s mission is to achieve enhanced shareholder value by satisfying Middle Eastern consumer demand for branded food products of superior quality and value. Please visit www.almarai.com the official website of the Almarai Company Limited; or contact the Head Office at P.O. Box 8524, Riyadh 11492, Saudi Arabia, tel: +9661.470.0005, fax: +9661.470.01555.
About Mirnah Technology ltd.
Mirnah Technology Ltd is a systems integration company, headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. They are the Gulf’s leading supplier of mobile and hand-held computer systems and supply many of the region’s major manufacturers and distributors of beverages, foodstuffs, with route accounting and van sales systems, in partnership with Intermec Technologies. Please visit Mirnah’s website www.mirnah.com or contact their Head Office at P O Box 62812, Riyadh 11595, Saudi Arabia, tel : +9661. 462.1545, fax : +9661. 462.3812
© Press Release 2003
