( BW)(3COM-2)(COMS) 3Com Invests in Wireless Company to Advance Palm Computing Wireless Enterprise Platform
BW1129 DEC 21,1998 6:02 PACIFIC 09:02 EASTERN
businesswire.com
Business Editors/Technology Writers
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 21, 1998--
Aether Technologies to Expand its Enterprise Wireless Data
Center for Executive Access to Corporate Networks
3Com Corporation (Nasdaq:COMS) today announced that, through 3Com Ventures, it has invested $6 million in Aether Technologies, a wireless data service provider and systems integration company.
The investment expands the alliance between 3Com and Aether that is already allowing Palm Computing(R) devices to receive critical, time-sensitive information in real time. Aether will use the investment to build out its existing enterprise wireless data center, which 3Com is currently endorsing.
The cornerstone of Aether's enterprise wireless data center is its AIM(TM) (Aether Intelligent Messaging) middleware that provides an open, platform-independent infrastructure allowing wireless data access from a variety of platforms, including 3Com's Palm Computing platform, over wireless networks such as Mobitex, CDPD, CDMA and GSM.
Aether's infrastructure also supports and is complementary to the wireless architecture of 3Com's recently announced Palm VII(TM) organizer. Additionally, Aether provides application design and development, network management, customer service and product fulfillment.
"3Com's investment in Aether Technologies is a classic example of how we leverage innovative technologies to expand our businesses and enter adjacent markets," said Mike Dolbec, vice president of business development at 3Com. "Converged handheld computing and wireless communication is an emerging market.
"Having real-time corporate information on your Palm connected organizer, wherever you are, is a significant advantage for corporations and their executives. Aether's technology will help 3Com provide new services to the Palm Computing platform and expand the platforms utility as a resource for mission critical, time-sensitive enterprise information."
Aether Technologies, based in Owings Mills, Md., has developed a range of wireless data communications technologies aimed initially at the real-time, high-data volumes associated with the financial industry.
A hallmark of Aether's products and services is meeting the stringent security and reliability requirements of corporate clients. 3Com expects to be able to leverage this technology with enterprise customers in many industries, including financial, field sales, transportation and healthcare.
Among Aether Technologies' services are: Reuters MarketClip(TM), providing equities and options information to handheld computers throughout the United States; and AirBroker(R), a combined voice and data service that gives real-time access to investment information on selected financial market exchanges to Palm Computing devices.
Aether is also in development with Reality Online to offer a wireless trading solution to Reality's brokerage firm clients and their customers through a variety of wireless devices. Additionally, Aether and TIBCO Software are developing a wireless data delivery service based on TIBCO's publish-and-subscribe, subject-based telecommunication technologies.
By adopting these same wireless techniques for distributing enterprise information, 3Com's Palm Computing subsidiary, together with Aether, will grow the market for wireless data access to corporate information, enabling corporate America to become connected.
"Wireless computing is being driven by both industry and consumer users requiring instant access to a wide range of business and entertainment information. 3Com is one of the principle enablers of this wireless information age," said David Oros, president of Aether Technologies.
"Aether now has the opportunity to work even more closely with 3Com, the company that set the standard for handheld computing. Together, we look forward to setting the standard in the industry for enterprise wireless solutions."
About Aether Technologies
Aether Technologies is headquartered in Owings Mills, Maryland, and has offices in New York, New York and Boca Raton, Florida. Aether has previously received investments from multiple venture capital and corporate investors. Aether provides its customers with comprehensive wireless data solutions including software development, network management, customer service and product fulfillment.
The company has developed an open, multi-communications architecture that is flexible, scaleable, redundant, secure and manageable. More information may be gained by visiting the Aether Technologies' website at aethertech.com.
About 3Com Ventures
3Com Ventures, Inc. is a business development group that invests in emerging technology companies around the world. With this investment in Aether Technologies, 3Com has taken equity positions in 23 companies since its inception in 1979. Most recently 3Com has invested in companies that specialize in storage area networking, home networking, converged networking and Internet-related technologies.
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