In 2007, Motorola Inc. made a big splash by spending $3.9 billion to buy industrial mobile computer company Symbol Technologies.
Five years later, Motorola Solutions Inc., created out of the separation of the former Motorola into two separate entities, has taken its own bite out of the mobile computing market by buying U.K.-based Psion for $200 million in cash. The deal was announced in mid-June.
Psion, which is based in London, helped pioneer ruggedized mobile computing products in the early 1980s when it invented the "personal digital assistant," more commonly known as the "PDA."
The Psion acquisition represents the increasing long-term consolidation of the industrial mobile computer field. Psion contributed to the trend in 2000 when it bought wireless product manufacturer Teklogix.
"Psion is a compelling opportunity to strengthen our industry-leading, mobile-computing portfolio with ruggedized handheld products and vehicle-mount terminals that will deepen our presence in the global markets in which we compete," said Greg Brown, chairman and CEO of Motorola Solutions.
The acquisition is slated to close in the fourth quarter of 2012. Once the transaction is complete, Motorola Solutions said it will combine Psion with its Enterprise Mobile Computing business that took root after the Symbol acquisition.
"Motorola Solutions recognizes that Psion brings a talented team of engineers with extensive mobile computing design expertise and other professionals with key industry experience, and we are confident that we will achieve a seamless integration," said Tama McWhinney, a Motorola Solutions spokesperson.
In January 2011, Motorola split into two independent companies. Motorola Solutions provides communication products and services for enterprise and government customers. The other, Motorola Mobility, Inc., makes mobile cellular devices and cable video management equipment.
