3Com Teams with SAP to Launch Mobile Enterprise
Resource Planning Initiative at SAPPHIRE 98
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14,
1998--Palm Computing, Inc., a 3Com company
(NASDAQ:COMS) will join SAP to launch one of the first mobile
computing initiatives for enterprise resource planning (ERP)
systems at SAPPHIRE(R) 98, the SAP North American annual
user conference Sept. 13-18 in Los Angeles, Calif.
SAP will demonstrate solutions based on the market-leading Palm
Computing(R) platform that provide low-cost mobile access points
to ERP business processes, enabling realtime two-way
communication for mobile workers and reducing the total cost of
ownership for ERP customers.
"This first-of-its-kind mobile initiative has the power to put
3Com's easy-to-use mobile hardware devices into the hands of an
entire workforce, empowering large numbers of employees at the
point of activity to have real-time integration with their R/3
business backbone," said Richard Pitts, director, complimentary
software partner programs for SAP. "This solution enables our
customers to further streamline important business areas such as
inventory, warehouse and material management, or transportation
and field services."
Earlier this summer, 3Com, SAP, Symbol Technologies and
Abaco International Group announced a strategic alliance to create
mobile ERP solutions based on 3Com's market-leading Palm
Computing platform. The companies have jointly developed a
mobile solution to access information resident in the SAP R/3
system via Palm Computing platform devices including the Palm
III organizer, Symbol's SPT 1500 device and the IBM WorkPad
PC Companion. The remote access to R/3 is made possible by
Abaco, which spearheaded the solution development. Abaco's
software, The Bridge for R/3, connects Palm Computing platform
devices to information resident in SAP R/3 applications.
The mobile access solution is ideal for applications such as sales
force automation, help desk automation and warehousing, and in
industries for which portability is crucial such as retail,
transportation, parcel and postal delivery, manufacturing and
health care.
"The Palm Computing platform enables SAP customers to realize
significant productivity gains, cost savings, efficiency and time
savings by integrating handheld devices with R/3, the backbone of
the SAP ERP systems," said Mark Bercow, vice president of
strategic alliances and platform development for Palm Computing,
Inc. "These devices offer SAP customers a revolutionary and
cost-effective option for accessing R/3 that requires very little
training to get end users up and running."
At SAPPHIRE, SAP will demonstrate applications providing
mobile access to ERP modules, including: purchasing, goods
delivery, receipt and purchase request, sales order, travel
expenses, inventory picking, fixed assets and service
management.
Fernando Alvarez, president of Abaco International Group said,
"This mobile initiative has created an extremely attractive option
for technology decision makers to increase company-wide
efficiency. Since we announced our relationship with 3Com and
SAP in June, we've seen tremendous customer interest in the
concept of accessing ERP data from a handheld device."
Kimberly Hutchings, project manager, SAP Labs, will introduce a
Palm Computing platform-based mobile computing initiative
during presentations today at 12:30 PM and Tuesday at 10:30 AM
at the conference. In addition, SAP will demonstrate this mobile
computing solution in one of seven stops in "A Day in the Life of
an R/3 User." About 3Com
3Com Corporation enables individuals and organizations
worldwide to stay more connected by communicating and sharing
information and resources anytime, anywhere. As one of the
world's preeminent suppliers of data, voice and video
communications technology, 3Com has delivered networking
solutions to nearly 200 million customers worldwide. The
company provides large enterprise, small and medium enterprise,
carriers and network service providers, and consumers with
comprehensive, innovative information access products and
system solutions for building intelligent, reliable and high
performance local and wide area networks. For further
information, visit 3Com's Web site at www.3Com.com, the press
site at www.3Com.com/pressbox, or Palm Computing's web site
at www.palm.com.
3Com and Palm Computing are registered trademarks, and Palm
OS, PalmPilot and Palm III are trademarks of 3Com Corporation.
SAP, R3, and all SAP product and service names mentioned
herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP AG. All
other company and product names may be trademarks of the
respective companies with which they are associated. No products
mentioned herein are manufactured by Pilot Corporation or Pilot
Corporation of America, manufacturers and distributors of writing
instruments.
CONTACT: Palm Computing, Inc., a 3Com company
Elizabeth Cardinale, 650/237-6390
Elizabeth_Cardinale@3com.com
or
A&R Partners for Palm Computing
Allen Bush, 650/363-0982 x228
abush@arpartners.com
or
Waggener Edstrom for SAP
Amy McGill, 503/245-0905
amym@wagged.com
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