Microsoft and Infowave Team to Deliver Wireless Data Solutions for Mobile Network Operators
1/9/03
stockhouse.ca
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, Jan 9, 2003 (CCNMatthews via COMTEX) --
Consumer Electronics Show
Companies Collaborate on Strategic Agreement to Develop, Market and Sell Wireless Technologies for Windows Powered Microsoft Pocket PC and Smartphone Devices
Infowave Software (TSE: IW), a provider of wireless software for mobile professionals, corporations and network operators announced today that it will collaborate with Microsoft Corporation to develop and market solutions for mobile network operators based on the Windows Powered Microsoft mobile device platforms. Infowave and Microsoft will work together to offer mobile operators complete solutions focused on Microsoft Windows Powered devices and designed to increase subscriber adoption and consumption of wireless data.
In the first stage of development, Infowave will add support for the Windows Powered Smartphone to its Symmetry(TM) Pro desktop personal e-mail solution, its Infowave Mobile Messaging server product and its Mobile Application Gateway solution suite for mobile network operators.
"Mobile operators now have another powerful reason to offer Microsoft mobile devices like Smartphone and Pocket PC to their business users," said Howard Gefen, Director of Mobile Operator Solutions Development, at Microsoft. "The combination of Microsoft Windows Powered devices and this complete solution from Infowave creates a compelling service for mobile professionals and allows them to stay connected with their business critical information such as email."
Microsoft and Infowave will cooperate on joint marketing and sales initiatives into the mobile operator community. In addition, Infowave will make its Symmetry Pro product available to Microsoft device original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
"Together we've created a solution that meets a critical need for mobile network operators. It allows them to bring a truly valuable data service to their subscribers quickly and easily," said Thomas Koll, Chairman of the Board at Infowave Software. "We are focused on creating solutions that deliver on the most important business objectives wireless operators have today - delivering solutions that subscribers want, creating a differentiable user experience and driving data revenues."
"Now, more than ever, it's essential for professionals on the move to have mobile access to their corporate e-mail. Often, it is their critical link to the company, when away from the office," said Dr. Tony Seeto, Director of Business Development at CSL, a leading mobile operator in Hong Kong. "CSL was the first operator in Asia to offer Infowave's Symmetry Pro to our customers, as part of CSL's 1O1O Office solution suite based on the Pocket PC Phone Edition. This solution provides professionals on the move with a low cost and easy to use mobile email access. When Symmetry Pro is made available to Smartphone, which we have been working closely with Microsoft and Infowave, we will be able to offer our customers even more choices on mobile corporate solutions."
For more information on CSL 1O1O Office, visit www.csl1010.com
"Infowave has created an extremely simple try-then-buy software experience that has end-users up and running in minutes, without any IT involvement," said David Hayden of MobileWeek. "These trial products can easily be distributed by network operators and the process of converting a customer from trial to paying is completely automated. This really reduces risk and cost of sales for the operator. Infowave has created a powerful go-to-market model that recognizes the importance of the individual adopter. By striking this important partnership with Microsoft, Infowave is likely to improve acceptance of this new model with network operators."
About Infowave Symmetry Pro
Infowave Symmetry Pro provides mobile professionals with secure wireless access to their corporate e-mail on a handheld device. Users can install Symmetry Pro by themselves - no technical assistance or expertise is required. With Symmetry Pro users are no longer tied to a desktop PC or laptop for their corporate e-mail. Instead, they can enjoy secure, wireless access to their e-mail from their favorite wireless handheld. E-mail messages from their corporate inbox are instantly delivered via Symmetry Pro to their handheld device. A free 14-day trial is available to download from Infowave's web site at www.symmetrypro.com
About Infowave Software
Infowave (TSE: IW) builds innovative wireless business solutions for mobile professionals, corporations and network operators that connect people to the critical information they need to be more productive and competitive. The Infowave Wireless Business Engine and its suite of application connectors provide companies with a single wireless software platform for fast, secure and reliable wireless access to e-mail and collaboration applications, Web-based applications, the Internet, corporate intranets and legacy and client/server applications. Infowave Mobile Messaging provides workgroups and companies wireless access to their e-mail and calendar from anywhere using a Pocket PC or Palm handheld device. Symmetry(TM) Pro provides individuals with a fast, convenient, easy-to-install solution for wireless corporate e-mail on Pocket PC and Palm powered devices. Infowave's solutions are designed to work on most carrier networks today, including GPRS, 1xRTT, GSM, CDPD, CDMA and across the full spectrum of wireless computing devices from laptop computers to web-enabled mobile phones and PDAs to the newest generation of integrated voice/data handheld devices. For more information, please visit www.infowave.com
Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, such as the generation of revenue from this collaboration between Microsoft and Infowave which is dependant upon the success of the initiatives as described above and the continuation of these initiatives by both parties; the need to develop, integrate and deploy applications to meet our customer's requirements; the possibility of development or deployment difficulties or delays; the dependence on our customer's satisfaction with Infowave's software, its continued commitment to the deployment of the solution, the risks involved in developing software solutions and integrating them with third-party software and services; and the other risks and uncertainties described in our Form 10-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Infowave Software, Inc.
Corinna Bates
Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications
(604) 473-3695
cbates@infowave.com
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