Leaf Industries, the sole value-added distributor in Africa for Axis Communications, today announced that Axis Communications and Ericsson plan to develop mobile printing technology that will allow people using Bluetooth wireless devices to print to any printer. Initial product offerings, expected to be available in the third quarter of 2000, will allow Ericsson mobile phones with Bluetooth wireless technology to print to any Axis-enabled printer.
The two companies agreed to integrate their development with upcoming Bluetooth printing standardisation efforts, assuring seamless interoperability with future devices from other manufacturers. Axis` established market leadership position in printer connectivity technology will be used to assist vendors in rapid deployment and provide additional value added capabilities to their customers.
"For the Mobile Internet to become the reality it promises to be, solutions from innovative and leading companies must work together instantly, out of the box and without any complications," said Ross Irwin, Business Manager for Axis Communication products at Leaf Industries. "It is significant that Ericsson has invited Axis, as a leading player in network connectivity and integration of wired and wireless networks, to participate in the Ericsson Developer Alliance program. This will ensure that their future products in the Mobile Internet arena are completely compatible, starting with the Bluetooth-based Mobile Print solutions from Axis."
Bluetooth wireless technology provides a low-cost means for communication and networking between mobile phones and other portable devices, all in a very small form factor. This proximity-based wireless specification opens the door to a wide range of exciting innovations in product design, applications, and new services. The industry-led Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) estimates that by the end of 2001, Bluetooth wireless technology will be a standard feature in more than 100 million mobile phones, millions of PCs, laptop computers and other handheld devices.
"The goal here goes beyond just getting rid of some cables, but to open up a new world of possibilities for how information will be shared and the role printers will play in the future," continued Orwin. "Portable Bluetooth devices are going to be ubiquitous. Together with Ericsson, Axis are developing solutions that will automatically recognise these devices and provide new services that make them more productive."
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Axis Communications
The Axis Communications Group with the parent company Axis AB is a leading company in network connectivity and emerging wireless Internet based services. The company is at the forefront of developing network appliance solutions that enable people and organisations to get easy and immediate access to devices and services. Axis is one of the global leaders in several key thin server and network device markets, such as printer, storage and video connectivity, and is doing pioneering work in the rapidly expanding markets of wireless and mobile communications.
Founded in 1984, Axis employs more than 500 people worldwide, including the subsidiary 50 percent owned Netch Technologies. Axis is headquartered in Lund, Sweden and has a total of 28 offices throughout North America, Asia and Europe. Information about Axis can be found at http://www.axis.com.
For further information, please contact Ross Orwin, tel. (011) 326 1844; fax (011) 326 1852, rosso@leafindustries.com
Leaf Industries
Leaf Industries is the sole value added distributor in Africa for Axis Communications, and for the locally developed and manufactured range of Edge products for the GSM marketplace.