COMPAQ BREAKS NEW GROUND WITH MOBILE COMMERCE SOLUTION FOR WIRELESS
TRANSACTIONS
Compaq First to Deliver End-to-End Solution for Wireless Mobile Commerce
HOUSTON, Feb. 29xet, Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) today
announced the industry's first end-to- end, business-grade wireless
solution for service providers. It enables mobile customers using
handheld devices to receive Internet-based data and to actually
complete commercial transactions reliably and securely.
The Compaq Mobile Internet Platform is a next-generation mobile
commerce solution that incorporates advanced middleware, including
Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) technology, which enables wirefree
users to trade stocks, make point-of-sale purchases, exchange e-mail,
and complete business-to-business transactions.
The solution announced today is part of Compaq's broader wireless
Internet strategy to give mobile business users and consumers
"everywhere, everyway" wirefree access to Internet-based data and voice
services. As part of the end-to-end solution, Compaq will provide
systems and business application integration, support, and
portal/content relationships.
To complete its fully packaged, end-to-end solution, Compaq is
delivering powerful handheld devices that customers use to access the
new wireless services. In a related announcement today, Compaq
announced its WAP-enabled Wireless Connectivity Suite, a handset that
enables end users to browse the Internet, exchange e-mails via short
messaging service (SMS) technology, and send documents to a fax
machine. The suite includes an award-winning Aero 1500 or 2100
palm-size PC, a connecting cable, a WAP browser, Web browser, and fax
software.
The Compaq Mobile Internet Platform is aimed at service providers
worldwide, including major telecommunications carriers, wireless
applications service providers (WASPs), Internet service providers
(ISPs), and others who are focused on attracting and keeping new
customers with innovative, revenue- producing wireless services.
Wireless Internet transactions are complex and require the very highest
levels of mission-critical availability, scalability, data integrity
and security. The Compaq Mobile Internet Platform leverages the
company's traditional strengths in these areas, as well as its
convergent experience in both telecommunications infrastructure and
financial services.
Larry Schwartz, Vice President and General Manager, Compaq
Telecommunications, said: "As convergence accelerates, we're seeing a
dramatic transformation in the way people use the Internet. Analysts
foresee that in five years, almost 830 million wireless devices will be
accessing the Internet, making them the access devices of choice."
"Increasingly, those mobile users will want to make purchases and
complete commercial transactions. That means money changing hands in
real time, securely and without fail. This has always been Compaq's
core strength, and today's announcement extends this heritage into the
wireless Internet market."
Compaq is a founding member of the Mobile Wireless Internet Forum
(MWIF).
Compaq will demonstrate this solution as well as advanced capabilities
of its Aero-based Wireless Connectivity Suite at its booth (#8247, Hall
J) at CTIA Wireless 2000 in New Orleans.
Compaq Solution to Incorporate TANTAU's WAP-Enabled Platform At the
heart of Compaq's Mobile Internet Platform is robust, wireless Internet
software provided by TANTAU, which makes Internet applications
available to wireless devices such as cellular telephones, personal
digital assistants and pagers. TANTAU's comprehensive solution is the
first to allow enterprises to take full advantage of the mobile
commerce revolution without sacrificing security, scalability or a
direct link to the customer. TANTAU's wireless Internet platform
features multiple protocol support (WAP 1.1, SMS, HTTP), gateways for
integration with back-end applications and data sources, and the
ability to create personalized applications based on user preference.
Under a recent strategic agreement with TANTAU, Compaq will develop,
market and support applications built on the TANTAU wireless Internet
platform.
Compaq Solution Delivers Flexibility and Performance Needed by Service
Providers
Beyond WAP, Compaq's Mobile Internet Platform will support emerging
standards, such as Global Packet Radio Switching (GPRS), Bluetooth and
Unified Mobile Telephony Services (UMTS), as they come to market.
Service providers will also have the flexibility to build this solution
on any of Compaq's proven communications hardware platforms, depending
on their individual needs. The Compaq Mobile Internet Platform is
available immediately on Compaq NonStop(TM) Himalaya(TM) systems and
later in April on its AlphaServer(TM) systems running Tru64(TM)
UNIX(R).
Compaq's Mobile Internet Platform is optimized for what service
providers need to profitably deliver wireless Internet services to
their subscribers: 1) continuous availability even with extremely high
transaction volume; 2) seamless scalability to grow from tens of
thousands of subscribers to tens of millions; 3) transaction security;
and 4) tight linkage with back-end business applications, databases,
and content portals.
For additional information, please visit
compaq.com.
Compaq Background Compaq Computer Corporation, a Fortune Global 100
company, is the largest supplier of computing systems in the world.
Compaq designs, develops, manufactures, and markets hardware, software,
solutions, and services, including industry-leading enterprise
computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, and
communications products, commercial desktop and portable products, and
consumer PCs for the NonStop(TM) Internet world.
Compaq products and services are sold in more than 200 countries
directly to businesses, through a network of authorized Compaq
marketing partners, and directly to businesses and consumers through
Compaq's e-commerce Web site at compaq.com. Compaq markets
its products and services primarily to customers from the business,
home, government, and education sectors. Customer support and
information about Compaq and its products and services are available at
compaq.com.
About TANTAU Software Inc. TANTAU Software, Inc. is the first provider
of software and services that enable enterprises to conduct high-volume
secure mobile e-commerce transactions while maintaining direct access
to their customer. Founded in February 1999 by a core team of
developers from the Tandem Division of Compaq Computer Corporation,
TANTAU's technology and experience is applied to solving mobile
e-commerce requirements, including scalability, security, availability
and transaction integrity. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, TANTAU is a
global company with development and sales offices around the world,
including Australia, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom
and the United States. For more information, visit TANTAU at
tantau.com.
Compaq, Aero, AlphaServer, Himalaya, NonStop,and the Compaq logo,
registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. UNIX is a registered
trademark of The Open Group in the U.S. and other countries. Product
names mentioned herein may be trademarks and / or registered trademarks
of their respective companies. This release contains forward-looking
statements based on current expectations that involve a number of risks
and uncertainties. The potential risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially include the failure to close
the contemplated transaction with Inacom; failure of systems associated
with order fulfillment; the failure to close certain contemplated
sales; changes in product mix; inventory risks due to shifts in market
demand; continued competitive factors and pricing pressures; and market
responses to pricing actions and promotional programs. Further
information on the factors that could affect Compaq's financial results
are included in its SEC filings, including the annual report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, and the latest quarterly
report on Form 10-Q.
SOURCE Compaq Computer Corporation
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CONTACT: David Collins of Compaq Computer Corporation, 408-285-9233, or
email, d.collins@compaq.com
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