Symbol Technologies Inc. says that Corsica Ferries, the operator on the Western Mediterranean Sea will deploy Symbol’s rugged mobile computers to help improve the counting and identification of passengers traveling on their ferries.Corsica Ferries transports more than 2.5 million passengers annually on a fleet of 11 vessels traveling to and from France and Italy to Corsica, Sardinia and Elba. Symbol’s MC9000-K mobile computers will be deployed as part of the European directive to improve passenger safety during embarkation.

“Symbol Technologies stood apart from the competition because of its leadership and knowledge of our market,” said Jean-Michel Savelli, CIO of Corsica Ferries. “They also had the most rugged mobile computer in the industry. Symbol’s MC9000-K mobile computers will help us to improve on our passenger embarkation process, making the whole process easier and ensuring all passenger data is accurate.”

Until now, passengers had to embark at fixed embarking points and wait until their personal information had been entered into the ferry’s system before boarding.

This process was particularly slow and proved to be frustrating, especially during the peak summer period when passenger numbers increased.

The rugged MC9000-K handheld mobile computer, running on the Microsoft(R) Windows Mobile platform, is specifically designed for mobile field employees who require instant access to information enabling them to make the right decisions when time and accuracy matter.

Empowering Corsica Ferries’ mobile embarking staff with the MC9000-K handheld computer will help provide overall operational efficiencies and reduce costs and quality issues previously associated with data input errors.

“Symbol’s MC9000 line of rugged mobile computers offers a versatile and reliable mobility solution for customers operating in the harshest environments,” said Gerald McNerney, Senior Director, Travel & Transportation Industry Solutions, Symbol Technologies. “Our relationship with Corsica Ferries is just one example of how transportation companies are embracing mobile technology to improve business performance.”
——-