Psion Receives Positive Rating in Leading Analyst Firm's Ruggedized Handheld Computer MarketScope Report

15 May 2012

LONDON, United Kingdom -May 15 2012 - Psion (LSE: PON) today announced that its rugged handhelds received a positive rating in Gartner's report, "MarketScope for the Ruggedized Handheld-Computer Market (Global)."1   The Gartner MarketScope provides an overview of the key vendors in ruggedized mobile computing and the vertical markets they serve, including an analysis of their solutions and the industry as a whole.

According to the report, "the market continues to be relatively stable, with solid performers, and we expect it to steadily grow, in the range of 8% to 13%, compounded annually, punctuated by occasional periods of rapid growth brought on by new technologies." The report also notes, "Last year, 2011, was a year of change that saw ruggedized product vendors introduce new form factors and data collection elements to provide better choices and more information for application providers to further optimize the supply chain in new and existing markets."

"Enterprises want devices that are modular and flexible enough to last five to seven years in a rapidly changing vendor and technology environment," said Tim Zimmerman, Ken Dulaney, and William Clark of Gartner, in the report. "Users want the flexibility to address their choice of input technologies, which will vary depending on the individual business process, without having to displace large portions of their existing IT investment."

Psion's Omnii™ Platform delivers a new, modular and adaptable family of ruggedized handheld devices built around the needs of the customer. Combining more than 20 years of industry expertise in modular architecture and design, Omnii enables customers to buy what they need today with built-in flexibility for tomorrow's demands, removing the risk of obsolescence.

Vendors included in the MarketScope are evaluated on a variety of criteria including customer experience, innovation, marketing execution, and sales strategy, among other categories. Those with a positive rating in the report demonstrate strength in specific areas and are still developing execution in other areas.

"We believe our positive rating in this MarketScope affirms Psion's open innovation business strategy and validates our modular approach to product development," said John Conoley, CEO at Psion. "The adaptability of our Omnii platform brings additional value to our customers and partners by enabling them to upgrade devices with minimal disruption and downtime."

About the MarketScope
Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Psion
Psion is a pioneer in quality mobile handheld computers and their application in industrial markets around the world. We've innovated in the field of mobile computing since 1980, starting with the invention of the PDA; through to helping our global customers solve their business problems today. Our clients include Volkswagen, RWE nPower, E.ON, BMW, Goodyear, Copenhagen Airports, and many others.

Through our open innovation business model, we have the ability to work directly with our customers and partners to co-create new variants of our mobile hardware, software and services that meet the specific needs of the marketplace. This collaboration is made possible by our open innovation community site, www.ingenuityworking.com.

Psion PLC is a public company on the London Stock Exchange. It is headquartered in London with corporate offices located in Europe, North America, Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.

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Psion and Omnii are trademarks, or registered trademarks, of Psion plc and subsidiaries.

1Gartner "MarketScope for the Ruggedized Handheld-Computer Market (Global)," by Tim Zimmerman, Ken Dulaney, William Clark, April 27, 2012. 



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