Taps Agentek for enterprise mobile computing
Roswell, GA — September 15, 2004 — Agentek Inc., a wireless mobile computing solutions provider, announced today that it is deploying an integrated, real-time wireless handheld mobile computing solution for Ferrellgas of Liberty, Mo.
Ferrellgas is one of the largest retail marketers of propane, serving more than one million customers nationwide. Ferrellgas' retail propane distribution business consists principally of transporting propane purchased from third parties to retail distribution outlets and then to tanks on customers' premises, as well as to portable propane tanks.
Agentek's Agent Route Delivery, using Agentek's TXP wireless protocol, is supplying the mobile application that interacts in real-time with the Ferrellgas enterprise system for routing, dispatch, delivery, field data collection and order completion.
Approximately 4,000 Ferrellgas drivers and field technicians will carry Intermec mobile computers with integrated 802.11b radios for complete mobility. The handheld computers will communicate wirelessly to a Wireless Matrix satellite modem on each truck, which will send data across the Wireless Matrix network.
"We are excited to see this solution rolled out to all of our facilities. Real-time information at the point of activity and complete customer information feeds a fully dynamic business model for us that leads to increased productivity," said Pat Walsh, vice president and chief information officer of Ferrellgas.
"We have been impressed with the work ethic and technical capabilities that Agentek has demonstrated from the very beginning; the company responded to a demanding schedule and a rigorous test pilot period with tight timelines and extensive application and communications requirements," said Drew Mazeitis, manager of Mobile Technology and overall project manager at Ferrellgas. "The Ferrellgas solution is very complex, incorporating satellite communications, cellular communications, multiple modes of 802.11b and data exchange with our enterprise applications. Agentek's end-to-end solution eliminated the need to patch together pieces from multiple vendors."
Erik Anderson, vice president of Sales at Agentek Inc., commented, "Ferrellgas was a great partner in that their team knows exactly how to roll out a project. Their staff did a terrific job of cooperating with the Agentek team to deliver a fully operational system over a demanding schedule. We look forward to a long technology partnership with Ferrellgas."
