March 15, 2001 – FedEx, an early adopter of wireless technology, is making strides with new mobile services.

Via partnerships announced this week, FedEx customers will be able to access a service that allows them to locate drop-off points, track shipments and get shipping times from Web-enabled cell phones and handheld devices.

Supplying the mobile solutions: Vicinity Corp., a provider of Internet-based marketing infrastructure services, and w-Technologies, a provider of wireless software solutions.

"FedEx long ago realized that information about a package is as important as the package itself," said Mike Glenn, executive vice president, market development and corporate communications at FedEx Corporation. "We recognize an expanding mobile work force will drive the rapid growth of hand-held devices, and we will continue to offer leading-edge technology that helps customers and employees conveniently manage the movement of packages."

Among the features of FedEx's wireless solution:

• Availability through most Web-enabled devices, including mobile telephones, personal digital assistants, and two-way pagers.

• Free and easy to use mobile applications for customers, who often do not need to navigate through a registration process.

• Simplicity in use, with cell phone users keying in mobile.fedex.com to begin using services, and handheld device users downloading the solution from the FedEx Web site.

This strategy, according to research firm Dataquest/Gartner, is in keeping with companies looking to keep mobile workers in the corporate loop.

"The trend in the wireless data industry is to move desktop applications out to the mobile worker in order to increase work efficiencies," said Tole Hart, senior analyst, mobile communications at Dataquest/Gartner. "Companies that are able to effectively increase the efficiency of the mobile worker will gain a competitive advantage."