SANTA CLARA, Calif. and ARMONK, N.Y., July 23, 2002 . . . Palm, Inc.
(NASDAQ: PALM) and IBM today announced a joint solution that will let customers securely access enterprise applications and data using wireless-enabled Palm? branded handheld computers.
Through IBM's WebSphere Everyplace Access (WEA), Palm and IBM customers can build upon their technology investments and existing development skills to extend applications previously available only behind the firewall, on wired networks. In addition, IBM and Palm will deliver the first enterprise class Sametime solution for Palm devices using IBM's Sametime Everyplace.
For the first time, users of wireless-enabled Palm handhelds will be able to exchange instant messages among themselves and with desktop Sametime users. Under this agreement, Palm will work with IBM to implement, tune, and deliver a WEA-compatible mobile client suite for Palm handhelds. The companies will jointly market and promote the solution.
This announcement comes on the heels of Palm's endorsement, in April, of IBM's WebSphere Everyplace Access Server, which provides the core services needed to build, deploy, manage and extend e-business and core line-of-business applications to mobile devices. By integrating their product roadmap strategies, Palm and IBM's multistage development will accelerate the development of mobile services architecture for enterprise customers.
Comprising both IBM and Palm software applications and infrastructure, the solution will let customers deploy the applications they need, yet access the complete suite of functionality of WEA. The first release is scheduled to be available later this year and new products are expected from both companies as the solution evolves. IBM can now extend its mobile services architecture to an environment with the easiest to use and, most reliable and widely used handheld in the enterprise. And Palm can now integrate with IBM's back-end systems, applications, data and manageability to deliver enterprise solutions to mobile users. Palm and IBM are also working together on open standard technologies, including SyncML. Additional enterprise data can also be accessed using Lotus Domino.
Palm's technology includes its web browser, Personal Information Management
(PIM) and email as well as Wireless Messaging Solution and a new backbone architecture, the Reliable Transport (RT). RT is a core infrastructure that will underlie all of Palm's wireless enterprise software initiatives. It is an enterprise component to the Palm platform that optimizes the end user's experience when accessing IBM technology on a Palm handheld. Designed to provide a flexible communications infrastructure, RT accepts requests for two-way transactions and determines how to best transmit them from device to server, or vice versa. It is resident on both the client and server sides of the solution.
Palm OS Proves Lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
A recent independent study by the Gantry Group, shows that the Palm OS platform delivers a 41 percent annual cost savings to enterprises when contrasted with the Pocket PC platform. The study designed and tested a highly parameterized TCO measurement tool that captured multiple cost components associated with buying, deploying, managing and supporting handheld devices. Of the six basic cost components examined in the study, Palm OS based devices were less expensive in every component -- and more than 60 percent less expensive for software, IT services and training. The combination of the great user-experience and now proven lowest TCO, benefits end-users, IT managers and enterprises alike. The complete study is available on Palm's website at http://www.palm.com/enterprise.
About IBM WebSphere Everyplace Access
IBM WebSphere Everyplace Access is a software middleware platform to extend applications to mobile devices. Customers can start with a single application like PIM and e-mail and scale. This platform provides links to back-end systems and related services, support for multiple devices, multiple applications, intermittent, connected and disconnected connectivity, synchronization, intelligent notification, security, device management, content adaptation and location based services. These capabilities are delivered through server and client components and an integrated development environment for mobilizing applications.
About IBM
IBM is the world's leading e-business company offering a wide range of services, solutions and technologies that help businesses take full advantage of emerging innovation. IBM's pervasive computing and mobile Internet strategy is to extend e-business applications to the new class of client devices. This involves building, deploying and developing mobile applications by partnering with key players like QUALCOMM, Ericsson, Intel, Motorola, Nokia, RIM, Palm and Starfish; developing groundbreaking initiatives to set open industry standards; and deploying a Business Innovation Services team with hundreds of wireless Consultants. IBM also makes chips for a wide range of devices from the world's most powerful computers to the smallest cell phones. IBM can be found on the Web at www.ibm.com.
About Palm, Inc.
Palm, Inc. is a pioneer in the field of mobile and wireless ?solutions and a leading provider of handheld computers, according to IDC (2001). Based on the Palm OS(R) platform, Palm's handheld solutions allow people to carry and access their most critical information wherever they go. Palm(TM) handhelds address the needs of individuals, enterprises and educational institutions by offering the foundation for thousands of application solutions. Palm stock is traded on the Nasdaq national market under the symbol PALM. More information is available at http://www.palm.com.
For more information:
IBM Nederland N.V.
Ester Riemersma
020 - 513 3505
ester_riemersma@nl.ibm.com
Brodeur Worldwide
Tara van Oyen
020 ?346 20 00
t.vanoyen@nl.brodeur.com