Microsoft buy adds to wireless plans
By Bloomberg News
Special to CNET News.com
July 21, 1999, 5:30 a.m. PT
Microsoft said it acquired Suffolk, England-based STNC Ltd. for an undisclosed sum, its latest move to tap demand for products that enable mobile phones to offer Internet access and other data services.
Privately held STNC specializes in software for mobile phone and hand-held computers. Its products will be integrated into Microsoft's wireless phone offerings that are based on the Windows CE operating system, the U.S. company said.
"This further demonstrated Microsoft's commitment to, and focus on, evolving a wireless telephone platform that will enable out customers to access information anywhere, any time, from their cellular phones," said Harel Kodesh, vice president of Microsoft's productivity appliances unit.
Software and telecommunications companies are racing to offer services that people can use to browse the Internet and send and receive e-mail with their phones as more wireless users demand data services that hook up to corporate networks and the Internet. Microsoft executives predict more wireless phones with Internet access will be sold than laptop computers next year.
Founded in 1993, STNC has about 40 employees, Microsoft said.
Microsoft said earlier this year it would team with British Telecommunications Plc to develop wireless Internet and data services, the first venture if its kind for Microsoft in Europe. The companies plan to make the services available in early 2000.
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Computer Associates to Offer Highly Manageable Wireless Application Infrastructure By Leveraging Alliances with 3Com and PageNet
Supported by CA's Global Professional Services, TWIST facilitates untethered deployment of new and legacy applications
NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 20, 1999-- Computer Associates International, Inc. (NYSE:CA - news), leveraging its alliances with 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq:COMS - news) and PageNet (Nasdaq: PAGE - news), announced a highly manageable wireless application infrastructure that allows companies to roll out a new robust generation of untethered applications to enterprise mobile computing users.
Dubbed ''TWIST'' -- The Wireless Intelligent Infrastructure Support Technology -- this initiative combines CA's industry-leading enterprise and information management software and services, PageNet's extensive wireless application services, and the Palm Computing® platform to deliver a mobile computing solution that provides enterprise-class manageability and functionality. TWIST's components include:
 CA's Unicenter TNG enterprise management solution, including the Wireless Extension for Unicenter TNG, and the Jasmine TND intelligent information infrastructure.
 A comprehensive suite of services from CA's Global Professional Services (GPS) organization, including design, development and deployment of wireless solutions.
 PageNet's worldwide wireless communications network, as well as its expertise in the development of wireless applications.
-- The Palm Computing® platform for handheld devices.
Through Unicenter TNG, TWIST helps to ensure the availability, integrity and security of services being delivered to devices that may only be intermittently connected to the enterprise over wireless links. Jasmine TND supports the efficient use of diverse data sources by applications, as well as the effective presentation of information interfaces to diverse wireless and network-connected devices.
GPS will work with the customer support team of PageNet's Advanced Wireless Integration Group (AWIG), now part of the company's VAST Wireless Solutions subsidiary, to assist clients in deploying new wireless applications and re-engineering legacy applications to meet the needs of an increasing number of enterprise mobile computing workforce. GPS is already using TWIST to support its own worldwide base of mobile computing professionals.
Armed with TWIST's manageable application infrastructure and associated support services, clients will be able to send and receive business and management data from virtually any untethered device, including handheld devices, vending machines and kiosks, cars and trucks, industrial equipment and robotic tools, thus eliminating the limitations placed on information flows by conventional wired networks. This ability to use information on an anywhere/anytime basis will lead to a substantial reduction of costs, an improvement in the responsiveness to customer requirements and a gain in competitive edge.
''In today's information-based economy, knowledge workers have become increasingly dependent on networked IT services to maintain their personal productivity, generate revenue, capitalize on business opportunities and meet the expectations of their customers. In this kind of working environment, application mobility has become a critical bottom-line issue,'' said Charles B. Wang, chairman and CEO of CA. ''Together with our partners PageNet/AWIG and 3Com/Palm, CA is giving IT departments a solid wireless application platform that they can broadly apply to a wide range of business process re-engineering - from the operation of mobile sales staffs to the tracking and deployment of equipment assets in the field.''
''As more enterprises deploy wireless handheld computing devices, higher reliability and security of information becomes increasingly important.'' said Eric Benhamou, chairman and CEO of 3Com Corporation. ''A secure and reliable infrastructure will speed the deployment of handheld wireless solutions, and CA's TWIST provides an optimum platform for supporting and managing next-generation enterprise wireless applications.''
''All the technologies needed to develop high-value wireless business solutions -- including the end-user devices, the development tools, the management facilities and the wireless connectivity itself -- already exist,'' said John P. Frazee, Jr., chairman and CEO of PageNet. ''What we've done with TWIST is to bring them together in a package that will greatly speed time-to-market and reduce deployment costs by eliminating the need to re-invent all the integration work that we can deliver out-of-the-box.''
The three companies also pledged to continue collaborating to deliver high-value business solutions for their combined client bases around the world.
Computer Associates International, Inc. (NYSE:CA - news), the world leader in mission-critical business computing, provides software, support and integration services in more than 100 countries around the world. CA has more than 14,000 employees and had revenue of $5.3 billion in fiscal year 1999. For more information about CA, call 516-342-5224, or e-mail info@cai.com. CA's website is www.cai.com.
With more than 200 million customers worldwide, 3Com Corporation connects more people to information in more ways than any other networking company. 3Com delivers innovative information access products and network system solutions to large, medium and small enterprises; carriers and network service providers; PC OEMs; and consumers. 3Com - More Connected(TM). For further information, visit 3Com's World Wide Web site at 3com.com or the Palm Computing site at palm.com.
PageNet is the leading provider of wireless messaging and information services with approximately 10 million subscribers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Canada. The company offers a full range of paging and advanced messaging services, including assured-delivery messaging, two-way wireless e-mail, and global messaging. This year, PageNet's wholly owned subsidiary, VAST Wireless Solutions, plans to introduce a variety of customizable information services for pagers and other devices, partnering with content providers such as Yahoo!, CNN, ESPN and others. Additionally, VAST Wireless Solutions, through its Advanced Wireless Integration Group, develops integrated wireless solutions to increase productivity and improve performance for major corporations. Detailed information and coverage maps for PageNet and VAST Wireless Solutions services are available on the Internet at www.pagenet.com.
3Com and Palm Computing are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation or its subsidiaries. All referenced product names are trademarks of their respective companies.
Contact:
PageNet
Media contact:
Scott Baradell, 972/801-8180
or
Investor contact:
Kirk Brewer, 972/801-8012
or
Computer Associates:
Bob Gordon, 516/342-2391
More Quotes and News: Paging Network Inc (Nasdaq:PAGE - news)
Related News Categories: computers, telecom
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Wireless Knowledge Grows Integrators Alliance Program
Five Additional Partners Join Program Designed to Support Carriers and Accelerate the Adoption and Deployment of Wireless Data
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 21, 1999-- Wireless Knowledge LLC, a joint venture company between Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT - news) and QUALCOMM Inc. (Nasdaq:QCOM - news), will announce this week at Microsoft Fusion '99 (July 22-25) the addition of five new members to the recently launched Integrators Alliance Program (IAP).
New members include Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Technology Integration Group (TIG), Paradigm4, Inc., Wireless Telecom, Inc. and Lucid8 Information Services LLC. Developed for systems integrators and value added resellers (VARs), the Integrators Alliance Program enables members to expand their product and service offerings into the emerging wireless data market.
The five members join first program member, Inacom Corp. (Nasdaq:INAC - news) to provide a robust and scaleable channel for wireless data services and integration that will address the needs of carriers and customers varying in size and market segment.
''We are overwhelmed with the tremendous support and interest in the Integrators Alliance Program and are excited about working with current and future program members to provide the industry with the most complete end-to-end wireless data solutions,'' said Dave Whalen, vice president of sales and marketing for Wireless Knowledge.
''Each member brings a unique dimension to the program, enabling us to provide our carrier partners and customers with a broad range of wireless data implementation and deployment options.''
Announced on June 29, Integrators Alliance Program ensures seamless integration and deployment of Wireless Knowledge's Revolv(SM) service into Microsoft® Exchange-based corporations. The Revolv service enables mobile professionals to securely access key corporate Microsoft Exchange information, such as critical e-mail, contacts, calendar and news, with any mobile, Internet-ready device or from any location where Internet access can be found.
''The Integrators Alliance Program is an extremely smart move on Wireless Knowledge's part,'' said Andy Seybold, a leading wireless industry analyst and publisher. ''A qualified integrator is a crucial component to any successful wireless data deployment strategy.''
The following points highlight the newly announced members and illustrate how the various program members are capable of addressing the needs of companies of different sizes and markets:
-- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), a
diversified high-technology research and engineering company,
offers a broad range of expertise in technology development and
analysis, computer systems development and integration, technical
support services and computer hardware and software products.
SAIC is a Fortune 500 company with more than 37,000 employees
with offices in more than 150 cities worldwide. With revenues of
$4.7 billion, SAIC specializes in large-scale integration
projects for government and commercial customers and plans to
include the Revolv service as a wireless solution option.
-- Technology Integration Group (TIG), a national systems
integrator/value-added reseller, provides a wide range of
products and services including hardware, software, network
engineering, outsourcing, computer telephony and field service
for a diverse mix of industries including corporate America,
federal, state and local government, K-12 and higher education.
TIG has over 475 employees in 14 locations across the United
States.
-- Paradigm4, Inc., a mobile computing outsourcing company, offers
specialized wireless services including business process
outsourcing, systems integration and remote network management,
to a variety of vertical markets, such as government and public
safety, using both public and private radio network carriers.
Paradigm4 also offers interconnectivity services to wireless
carriers. As an authorized reseller for AT&T Wireless, Bell
Atlantic Mobile, ARDIS and other carriers, Paradigm4 bundles
airtime with vertical applications, devices and services. It will
now include the Revolv service as part of its end-to-end solution
to address customer requirements for a horizontal productivity
application.
-- Wireless Telecom, Inc., a value-added service provider, offers
MobileLogic(TM) Network Services, which provide mobile PC users
with wireless remote access to enterprise networks. The
MobileLogic package includes software, middleware, gateway
access, modem hardware and nationwide data airtime from networks
such as AT&T Wireless, Bell Atlantic Mobile and BellSouth
Wireless Data. Wireless Telecom will now offer the Revolv service
as part of this package.
-- Lucid8 Information Services LLC, a leading provider of
multifaceted technology-driven business solutions for middle
market companies in the Pacific Northwest, provides consistent,
reliable, timely and accurate delivery of services such as
strategic IT consulting, systems integration, remote monitoring
and management, custom application development and packaged
services, including Y2K audits and remediation. In addition,
Lucid8 maintains a state of the art on-site test lab providing
the Company and its clients the ability to test and display new
technologies and designs before implementing them in a live
environment. Lucid8 plans to combine the Revolv service with its
current capabilities to deliver a single source wireless solution
to its clients.
Wireless Knowledge invites interested and qualified systems integrators to submit applications for membership to the Integrators Alliance Program. Detailed information, qualification guidelines and membership application reside on the Company's Web site at wirelessknowledge.com.
About Wireless Knowledge
Wireless Knowledge LLC, is a joint venture between Microsoft and QUALCOMM. The Company has developed a wireless data service, the Revolv(SM) service, which extends the reach of collaborative computing into the wireless environment thus enabling pervasive computing on any Internet appliance.
Based on existing and future standards, the Revolv service offers secure access to productivity and information services using any airlink with any Internet-ready device. For more information on Wireless Knowledge, please visit wirelessknowledge.com.
Note to Editors: Microsoft, Windows, BackOffice and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Editor's Note: For specific information on program members, please contact Allyson Willoughby at 408/559-6090 or allyson_willoughby@benjamingroup.com.
Contact:
Benjamin Group for Wireless Knowledge
Allyson Willoughby, 408/559-6090 ext. 319
allyson_willoughby@benjamingroup.com
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