SANTA CLARA, Calif. and ARMONK, N.Y., July 23, 2002 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM) and IBM today announced plans to develop a joint
capability that will let customers securely access enterprise applications and
data using select models of wireless-enabled Palm(TM) branded handheld
computers, including the Palm m515 color handheld.(1)
    Through IBM's WebSphere(R) Everyplace Access (WEA), customers would be
able to build upon their technology investments and existing development
skills to extend applications beyond the firewall on wired networks using
wireless technology and Palm handhelds. In addition, IBM and Palm plan to
deliver the first enterprise-class instant messaging and awareness solution
for Palm handhelds using Lotus(R) Sametime(R) technology. Users of select
wireless-enabled Palm handhelds would be able to exchange instant messages
among themselves and with desktop Sametime users. Under this agreement, Palm
will work with IBM to implement, tune and deliver a WEA-compatible mobile
client suite for Palm handhelds. The companies plan to jointly market and
promote the capability.
    This announcement comes on the heels of Palm's endorsement, in April,
of IBM's WebSphere Everyplace Access Server, which provides the core
services needed to build, deploy, manage and extend e-business and core
line-of-business applications to mobile devices. Through this agreement, both
companies expect to accelerate the development of mobile services architecture
for enterprise customers.
    Comprising both IBM and Palm software applications and infrastructure,
this capability would let customers deploy the applications they need, yet
access the complete suite of functionality of WEA. The first release is
scheduled to be available later this year, and new products are expected from
both companies as the capabilities evolve. IBM can now extend its mobile
services architecture to an environment with easy-to-use and widely used Palm
handhelds. And Palm can now integrate with IBM's mobile application platform
-- WEA -- to manage and extend back-end systems, applications and data to
deliver enterprise solutions to mobile users. Palm and IBM are also working
together on open standard technologies, including SyncML. Additional
enterprise data will be able to be accessed using Lotus Domino(TM).
    "Palm executing IBM's enterprise pervasive strategy will benefit customers
looking to implement end-to-end wireless solutions," said Letina Connelly,
director, IBM Enterprise Pervasive Computing. "Palm's mobility expertise and
preference in the enterprise joined with IBM's strength in delivering
enterprise solutions and services will help customers looking to leverage
wireless to increase employee productivity and sales. There are millions of
Palm handhelds within the enterprise. This relationship will ensure that those
devices can now access enterprise applications across wireless networks,
connected and disconnected using WebSphere Everyplace Access."
    "Palm is executing aggressively with partners and strengthening
relationships with industry leaders like IBM to continue making a real
difference in our customers' bottom lines," said Todd Bradley, Palm Solutions
Group's president and chief operating officer. "Unlocking their existing
technology investments, our community of joint customers will benefit by the
freedom to easily access the same mission-critical data that was once
accessible only behind the firewall, from their desktops."
    Palm's technology includes its web browser, Personal Information
Management (PIM) and email, as well as Wireless Messaging Solution. In
addition, Palm is developing a new backbone architecture called Reliable
Transport (RT), which is a core infrastructure that will underlie all of
Palm's wireless enterprise software initiatives. It will be an enterprise
component to the Palm platform that optimizes the end user's experience when
accessing IBM technology on a Palm handheld. Designed to provide a flexible
communications infrastructure, RT accepts requests for two-way transactions
and determines how to best transmit them from device to server, or vice versa.
It is resident on both the client and server sides of the solution.

    Palm OS Proves Lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
    A recent independent study by the Gantry Group, shows that the Palm OS(R)
platform delivers a 41 percent annual cost savings to enterprises when
contrasted with the Pocket PC platform. The study designed and tested a highly
parameterized TCO measurement tool that captured multiple cost components
associated with buying, deploying, managing and supporting handheld devices.
Of the six basic cost components examined in the study, Palm OS based devices
were less expensive in every component -- and more than 60 percent less
expensive for software, IT services and training. The combination of the great
user-experience and proven low TCO benefits end-users, IT managers and
enterprises alike. The complete study is available on Palm's website at
http://www.palm.com/enterprise .

    About IBM WebSphere Everyplace Access
    IBM WebSphere Everyplace Access is a software middleware platform to
extend applications to mobile devices. Customers can start with a single
application like PIM and e-mail and scale. This platform provides links to
back-end systems and related services, support for multiple devices, multiple
applications, intermittent, connected and disconnected connectivity,
synchronization, intelligent notification, security, device management,
content adaptation and location based services. These capabilities are
delivered through server and client components and an integrated development
environment for mobilizing applications.

    About IBM
    IBM can be found on the web at http://www.ibm.com.

    About Palm, Inc.
    Information about Palm, Inc. is available at
http://www.palm.com/aboutpalm.

    (1) Internet access, email and wireless applications require an ISP
        account, which may or may not be provided by the wireless carrier.
        Handhelds that do not have integrated wireless also require a
        compatible data-enabled modem or mobile phone for Internet access.

    NOTE:  Palm OS is a registered trademark and Palm is a trademark of Palm,
Inc. Other brands may be trademarks of their respective owners.



SOURCE  Palm, Inc. Press Room





 
Web site:  http://www.palm.com
 

 
CONTACT: Ron Favali of IBM, +1-914-642-4513, or
Favali@us.ibm.com; or Kristine Boyden of A&R Partners,
+1-650-762-2831, or kboyden@arpartners.com, for Palm, Inc.