Puma Technology to Acquire SoftMagic Corporation
SAN JOSE, Calif. — July 28, 1998 — In a move expected to further unlock the true market potential of handheld computing devices by entrenching them in Corporate America, Puma Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:PUMA) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire SoftMagic Corp., Boca Raton, Fla. SoftMagic provides software tools which enable rapid development and deployment of custom corporate database applications for use on handheld devices, such as the 3Com PalmPilot connected organizer.
SoftMagic products act as a catalyst for the proliferation of new and diverse custom software applications. A broader array of applications, and the ability to synchronize application information throughout the corporate enterprise, will allow handheld devices to play a pivotal role in enterprise information systems as platforms for data collection and "windows" into corporate databases. As a result, corporations will be able to unleash vast stores of information available in the enterprise and make it accessible to mobile sales forces and other on-the-go professionals. Further, small device OEMs will be able to maximize market penetration by attacking vertical markets jump-started by new applications developed via SoftMagic tools.
This agreement closely follows recent announcements by Puma of partnerships with ISVs using the company's Intellisync(R) Software Development Kit (SDK) to build mobile device synchronization solutions on the Intellisync platform. Puma is the leading provider of Mobile Data Exchange(TM) software with its Intellisync software family. The SoftMagic acquisition signals a further expansion of Puma's business model and another stepping stone in the company's mission to provide end-to-end mobile computing and synchronization solutions for individuals and corporations alike.
Puma will acquire SoftMagic's entire award-winning product line for the Palm Computing platform products. In addition to the currently shipping Satellite Forms(TM) Developer Edition version 2.0, Puma Technology will gain the upcoming Satellite Forms Enterprise Edition and MobileXtension(TM) for Lotus Notes products which are currently in development. As part of the transaction, Puma expects to take a one-time charge against its earnings to complete the acquisition. SoftMagic will move its business activities to Puma's headquarters in San Jose, Calif. and SoftMagic's President, CTO and founder Andre Sant'Anna will play a new role with Puma as vice president of development tools. He will report to Puma CTO Michael Blanchette.
PUMA TAKES STEPS TO PROVIDE ONE-STOP SOLUTIONS TO THE ENTERPRISE
"Puma is committed to providing 'anytime, anywhere' mobility by expediting the way business professionals gain access to, organize and synchronize data," said Puma President and CEO Brad Rowe. "We believe that mobile devices are on the verge of becoming critical vehicles to extend corporate database information to mobile workers. This is especially true in vertical markets which could broadly embrace both today's standard devices and tomorrow's newcomers if custom applications were readily available. We're planning on playing a critical role in the evolution of the mobile device market. In the future, SoftMagic technology, combined with our Intellisync product line and new SDK, will help corporations move beyond using handheld devices as merely personal organizers and communications devices. Intellisync is already the defacto synchronization standard in many corporations and with SoftMagic tools, we can provide much broader mobile access to critical business applications and information.
"By providing the ability to develop custom applications for the enterprise and integrating that capability with our Intellisync software line and SDK, we are now closer than ever to providing a complete end-to-end mobile computing solution. In coming months, local and remote synchronization of mobile devices across a variety of PIM, groupware, and now custom applications, will be possible and this will allow companies to gain a high return on their mobile computing investments."
By acquiring SoftMagic, Puma is extending the integration into the enterprise of handheld computing devices like the 3Com connected organizers and Windows CE offerings beyond personal information management (PIM) and groupware applications to custom, mission critical corporate databases. These databases, used by numerous organizations in fields such as sales order processing to health care delivery are critical to the management of information by mobile workforces. To date, the lack of custom database applications has limited the reach of handheld devices as true corporate computing tools with their utilization focused on personal contacts, schedules, to-do lists and e-mail. New applications expected to result from the combined Puma and SoftMagic product line have the potential to assist mobile professionals by enabling them to use and synchronize information in these new handheld applications with seamlessly integrated databases back in the office. This step towards enterprise-wide mobile application deployment and synchronization solutions can streamline data collection/ processing and help organizations more effectively deploy hardware and human resources, among other benefits.
SOFTMAGIC BRINGS AN AWARD WINNING PRODUCT LINE TO PUMA
SoftMagic brings an impressive product line to the Puma portfolio highlighted by the Satellite Forms Developer Edition, Satellite Forms Enterprise Edition and MobileXtension for Lotus Notes. Satellite Forms is a breakthrough visual, rapid application development (RAD) tool for Palm Computing platform devices. Applications developed via Satellite Forms are fully extensible, making them capable of meeting new application requirements as they arise and of achieving tight integration with desktop and server database applications. Working in conjunction with Satellite Forms, MobileXtension for Lotus Notes enables developers to easily and quickly integrate custom Lotus Notes solutions with Palm Computing platform devices.
"With its extensible Intellisync synchronization platform, small device expertise, and its rapidly growing corporate channel, Puma Technology is the ideal partner for our products and technology," said SoftMagic President, CTO and founder, Andre Sant'Anna. "By joining forces, we plan to provide a robust solution that thoroughly addresses the special requirements of mission critical enterprise applications that use handhelds. Our combined offering will encompass the entire tool chain required to produce tightly woven enterprise-class solutions. From Satellite Forms RAD tools for creating sophisticated handheld applications to the superb Intellisync data synchronization product line, all the necessary pieces will be in place to enable enterprises to incorporate high return on investment handheld applications into their existing solutions."
ABOUT PUMA TECHNOLOGY
Puma Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:PUMA) is the leading provider of Mobile Data Exchange software, high-performance wireless infrared connectivity solutions that allow users to easily exchange or access information and applications from a remote computer over both wireless and wired media and content aware data synchronization software for PCs and handheld devices. Puma's product offerings make it simple and inexpensive for users to transfer information and documents between computing devices and between computing devices and peripherals. Puma's flagship Intellisync software product family supports a number of handheld devices including Palm Computing platform products, all Windows CE-based devices, REX PC Companion, AT&T's PocketNet Service phones, the Nokia 9000i Communicator, the family of Sharp personal organizers, the Texas Instruments Avigo and family of organizers, and notebook PC's, as well as a host of Internet-based services. The company is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., and maintains a Web site at www.pumatech.com.
Note to Editors:
Puma Technology, the Puma Technology logo, Intellisync, the Intellisync logo, DSX Technology, the DSX Technology logo, Mobile Data Exchange, and the Mobile Data Exchange logo, are trademarks of Puma Technology, Inc. that may be registered in some jurisdictions. SoftMagic, Satellite Forms, and MobileXtension are trademarks of SoftMagic Corporation. All other marks belong to their respective owners.
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