<<IBM Signs Three-Year Contract Extension With American Mobile
Deploys Innovative Next-Generation Wireless Data Solution Based On The
ARDIS Network and Research In Motion Inter@ctive Pager
LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill., May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- American Mobile Satellite Corporation (Nasdaq: SKYC) today announced that it has signed a three-year contract extension with IBM for wireless data network services via the ARDIS network. Extending to the year 2001, American Mobile will provide network airtime and support for IBM's service support personnel deployed on one of the nation's largest field service dispatch applications.
The extensive coverage of American Mobile's ARDIS network allows field technicians to communicate easily and instantly across the country from deep within customer locations, which can include a mainframe computer room in Florida to a 75-story office building in New York City.
American Mobile also has played a critical role in helping IBM deploy its next-generation wireless field service solution. After an extensive two-year evaluation, during which IBM reviewed various wireless networks and hardware platforms, IBM selected the ARDIS network and Research In Motion (RIM) as its principal solution providers. American Mobile will continue providing network airtime and support and RIM will supply IBM with innovative hand-held Inter@ctive(TM) Pagers. In February, RIM announced a contract with IBM and IBM Canada. IBM custom developed a software application (PET/lite) that resides on the Inter@ctive Pager to facilitate communications between IBM dispatchers, dispatch systems and service technicians real-time over the ARDIS network.
"For almost 10 years, use of the ARDIS network has helped IBM improve customer engineer productivity and significantly reduce operational resources," said Jim DeRosa, manager of I/T Investment Management at IBM. "In evaluating our next-generation solution, IBM's primary considerations were network coverage, hardware form factor, cost and functionality. With the support of American Mobile and RIM, this leading edge cost-effective solution will provide IBM with a greater ability to maintain a competitive edge in field service."
"IBM's service organization is committed to applying leading-edge technology in solving information access challenges," said Walt Purnell, president of American Mobile. "We are proud to have played a role in making IBM customer service among the best in the world. Signing its third, three- year contract and deploying its next-generation solution, IBM is a testament to how major corporations see wireless data communications as a way to improve the company's bottom line."
"IBM's commitment to customer service is well recognized and respected in the marketplace," said Mike Lazaridis, president and co-CEO of RIM. "This solution enables instant, two-way, nationwide communication among dispatchers and technicians on the road, resulting in improved responsiveness for customers and productivity gains for IBM."
About IBM's Field Service Solution
IBM's field service organization -- including product support services business segment in IBM Global Services, Technology Support Services (TSS) and Printing Systems Company (PSC) -- responds to six million customer calls annually. With its solution, IBM is able to quickly dispatch its customer engineers to job sites, order parts and verify delivery status, and track customer engineer time records, as well as support a broad range of call management, reporting and accounting activities.
In moving to its next-generation solution, IBM is taking advantage of the benefits of the individual and combined capabilities of the ARDIS and RIM offerings. ARDIS network coverage is a fundamental component of the solution, enabling real-time communications wherever and whenever IBM field service personnel need it. Weighing only eight ounces and fitting in the palm of the hand, the Inter@ctive Pager sports a full QWERTY keyboard and graphical display. The RIM device is robust enough to support IBM's PET/lite application.
The ARDIS/RIM Solution
The two-way Inter@ctive Pager is ideally suited for ARDIS network customers in both vertical and horizontal markets. By providing a cost- effective, robust wireless hardware platform, the RIM device brings new levels of affordability and functionality to applications ranging from large-scale field service and dispatch to advanced two-way messaging for mobile professionals. Together, the ARDIS network and RIM Inter@ctive Pager create a full-functioned communications platform. Using the ARDIS network, the Inter@ctive Pager can act as a stand-alone wireless communications device or as a standard wireless modem that allows technicians to use the device to send and receive messages from their laptop computers. The Inter@ctive Pager also supports automatic roaming across the ARDIS nationwide network. In addition, the Inter@ctive Pager supports the two network protocols used by the ARDIS network, 4.8 Kbps and 19.2 Kbps, taking advantage of higher transmission speeds where available.
About Research In Motion
Research In Motion Limited is a world leader in designing, manufacturing and marketing wireless consumer and business-to-business electronic access technology for the rapidly emerging mobile personal communications market. The company's current product portfolio includes revolutionary two-way pagers, wireless personal computer card adapters and embedded wireless radios. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, Research In Motion is listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol RIM. Its customers include a diversified range of major multinational companies, including wireless network suppliers and value- added resellers. Web site: www.rim.net. Editors: Contact Heidi Lowe at Brodeur Porter Novelli for RIM - 914-697-9711.
About American Mobile Satellite Corporation
American Mobile (www.AmMobile.com) owns and operates an integrated terrestrial/satellite network and provides a wide range of mobile communication services, including digital voice dispatch, data communications, dual-mode mobile messaging, position reporting services, and satellite telephone to the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and hundreds of miles of U.S. coastal waters. American Mobile services are used in the transportation, field service, maritime, two-way messaging and telemetry markets. The company's major shareholders include Hughes Communications Inc., Motorola, Inc., Singapore Telecom, and AT&T Wireless Services.
Factors that could cause forward-looking statements in this news release to differ materially from actual results are discussed in American Mobile Satellite Corporation's Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 1997, and other periodic filings the company has made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of the filings are available upon request from American Mobile Satellite Corporation's investor relations department.
SOURCE American Mobile Satellite Corporation
CO: American Mobile Satellite Corporation
ST: Illinois
IN: TLS
SU: CON
05/11/98 09:02 EDT prnewswire.com>>
SKYC: $ 10.38b $ 10.50a
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