Honeywell Introduces First Android-based Enterprise Digital Assistant

FORT MILL, S.C., Aug. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) today unveiled its first enterprise digital assistant with an Android operating system (OS), offering mobile workers a device with the same platform that many use in their personal lives. The Dolphin 7800 for Android is a rugged handheld computer with fast and accurate data capture and navigation capabilities, making it ideal for a delivery driver or sales representative whose work day involves multiple customer stops. Honeywell Scanning & Mobility and Microsoft Corp. also signed a patent agreement that provides broad coverage under Microsoft's patent portfolio for Honeywell's products running on the Android or Chrome OS platforms. Although specific terms of the agreement are confidential, Microsoft will receive royalties from Honeywell under the agreement. 

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"Our core business strategy is to offer solutions to meet the needs of the software development community," said John Waldron, president of Honeywell Scanning & Mobility. "To provide our customers with the best range of tools for success, we signed a license agreement with Microsoft that will allow Honeywell to offer the Android-based Dolphin 7800 to our network of partners around the world."

"We are pleased to have reached a patent agreement with Honeywell covering its Android devices under Microsoft's worldwide patent portfolio," said Horacio Gutierrez, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel, Intellectual Property Group at Microsoft. "Through this agreement Honeywell joins Microsoft's Android patent licensing program and demonstrates its responsible approach to the management of intellectual property."

What sets the Dolphin 7800 for Android apart from other products are security features to give businesses peace of mind. Companies who issue the device to their employees have the ability to remotely secure a lost device. With Honeywell's Remote MasterMind™ 3.0 device management software, businesses also can enroll and configure devices, track company assets and enforce strong password protection.

"Many of our customers want to enjoy using their work devices as much as their personal mobile phones and tablets," said Taylor Smith, director of product management, Honeywell Scanning & Mobility. "With the Android-based Dolphin 7800 we are able to offer that same user experience with the enterprise security that our customers expect from Honeywell."

To support the software community, Honeywell launched a Developer Program for Android™ OS compatible devices, giving independent software vendors (ISVs) and end-users a voice in the development of Honeywell products that will use the Android OS. Program participants had the opportunity to develop and test Android-specific applications on Honeywell's newest mobile device, prior to launch.

"We see demand for enterprise level, integrated GPS software solutions, like our CoPilot Live Professional, based on the Android platform. The Dolphin 7800 puts Honeywell in a strong position to capitalize on Android deployments within the enterprise," said Dan Popkin, vice president of business development of enterprise solutions at ALK Technologies.

"Our retail customers are closely aligned with the trends in the consumer device market, and at the same time, need performance and durability. These factors were drivers for us to participate in the Honeywell Developer Program for Android," said Gene Cornell, president, Cornell-Mayo Associates.  

"Our ServiceACE application supports the Dolphin 7800 for Android, with our TransportACE and RouteACE apps soon to follow, providing service, transportation, and consumer goods companies with a solution for streamlining their mobile operations," said Don Grust, CEO of Apacheta.

Honeywell will continue to offer and support the Dolphin 7800 with the Microsoft^® Windows^® Embedded Handheld 6.5 OS, and provide two options for end-users to support either Microsoft or Android deployments.

For more information, please visit www.honeywellaidc.com.

Dolphin and Remote MasterMind are trademarks of Honeywell International Inc. in the United States and other countries.
Android and Google Play are trademarks of Google Inc.
Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and performance materials. Honeywell Scanning & Mobility (HSM) is part of the Automation and Control Solutions (ACS) business group of Honeywell. HSM is a leading manufacturer of high-performance image- and laser-based data collection hardware, including rugged mobile computers and bar code scanners. With one of the broadest product portfolios in the automatic identification and data collection industry, HSM provides data collection hardware for retail, healthcare, and transportation and logistics companies seeking to improve operations and enhance customer service. Additionally, HSM provides advanced software, service and professional solutions that help customers effectively manage data and assets. HSM products are sold worldwide through a network of distributor and reseller partners. For more information on Honeywell Scanning & Mobility, please visit www.honeywellaidc.com. 

This release contains forward-looking statements as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements about future business operations, financial performance and market conditions. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties inherent in business forecasts as further described in our filings under the Securities Exchange Act.

SOURCE Honeywell