AirSoft Introduces Breakthrough Wireless Data Communications Software
PALO ALTO, Calif. — October 5, 1993 — AirSoft Inc. Tuesday announced a significant advance in the field of wireless data communications with the introduction of AirAccess, the first software product to provide portable computers transparent wireless access to remote data residing on desktop machines and LAN servers.
AirAccess enables portable PC users to access remote data directly from applications such as spreadsheets, word processors and graphics packages — without having to exit the application and manually download files from the remote machine, and without the need for telephones lines and other wires.
AirAccess, which supports the RAM Mobile Data and ARDIS wireless networks as well as both cellular and dial-up telephone links, provides a new paradigm for remote data access in the mobile PC world by enabling a remote computer's disk to appear as another local disk on the portable PC.
Portable PC users can access this "virtual disk" directly from the user's DOS or Windows applications in exactly the same manner as any other local disk, with no differences in either user interface or programming interface.
For instance, when a mobile user wishes to edit a word processing document located on a remote desktop machine, the user simply opens and closes the document using the normal commands of the portable PC's word processor. From the user's perspective, the user is accessing the desktop disk directly from the portable, eliminating the need to use cumbersome file transfer utilities to manually send revised files back to the desktop or server.
AirAccess supports both the RAM Mobile Data and ARDIS wireless networks through radio modems attached to the mobile and office computers. On the RAM Mobile Data networks, AirAccess supports the Ericsson Mobidem and AT Mobidem, as well as the Intel Wireless Modem, and the Motorola InfoTac. On the ARDIS network, AirAccess supports the Motorola InfoTac.
AirAccess also fully supports both cellular and standard dial-up telephone connections, providing the user a safety net when he or she is out of the wireless coverage area or needs to transmit very large files.
"Until now, the main use of wireless communications has been electronic messaging," said AirSoft Founder and President Jagdeep Singh. "With the introduction of AirAccess, users obtain a powerful application providing wireless functionality comparable to that available in the world of wired LANs."
"AirAccess is the perfect companion to e-mail for the mobile professional," said Martin Levetin, senior vice president for RAM Mobile Data. "Air Access is specifically designed to increase traveling workers' productivity by leveraging RAM Mobile Data's wireless environment. We think every traveling worker will want it."
"AirSoft has developed an outstanding software package which brings wireless connectivity to most PC applications," said Henrik Hogberg, vice president and general manager of the Wireless Computing Division of Ericsson GE Mobile Communications Inc. "Portable computer users with an Ericsson GE Mobidem and AirAccess will travel with nearly all of the capabilities they used to leave behind on their desktop machines."
"AirSoft's AirAccess, combined with wireless modems such as Motorola's InfoTac, will enable DOS and Windows portable computer users to access their desktop data wirelessly," said Pat Richardson, vice president and general manager of the Subscriber Products Division of Motorola's Wireless Data Group. "We believe that products such as AirSoft's are critical to fueling the growth of the wireless data market."
"Motorola's mission is to provide wireless solutions to the mobile professional," said Dave Altounian, manager of business development of Motorola's Subscriber Products Division. "As part of our strategy, we are working closely with innovative companies such as AirSoft to provide current DOS and Windows users with seamless access to wireless data."
"Megahertz Corporation continually aims to provide mobile computer users with the best possible modem solutions," said Ryan Ashton, Megahertz senior vice president of marketing and sales. "Products such as AirSoft's AirAccess offer innovative solutions, allowing customers to easily access their data using wireless or land-line capabilities."
"AirAccess is another step forward in increasing the productivity of the mobile worker, especially the mobile office worker," said Bruce Martin, vice president of ARDIS. "ARDIS is continually seeking wireless solutions to customers' problems and AirSoft's capability to seamlessly access data is yet another move forward in all of our efforts to address the requirements of the mobile office market."
AirAccess addresses the key problems faced by portable computer users today, including:
— Data Availability: Users gain access to virtually any DOS desktop machine or LAN server disk from anywhere in the wireless nationwide coverage areas of RAM Mobile Data or ARDIS, or via any cellular or dial-up telephone line.
— Data Synchronization: Users access the same physical disk, whether working from the portable or desktop computer, eliminating the need for manual synchronization as required by some of today's popular file transfer and disk synchronization utilities.
— Disk Capacity: AirAccess allows even the smallest hand-held and portable PCs to access disk drives of virtually unlimited size.
— Remote Program Execution: Users can remotely execute commands such as DOS commands and SQL database queries on applications running on a desktop or server machine, viewing the results on the screen of the portable PC.
— Lower Costs and Higher Performance: Using advanced techniques such as caching, compression and cache-coherency algorithms, AirAccess is optimized to contend with the bandwidth, latency and intermittency characteristics which differentiate a wireless network from its wired counterparts, ensuring efficient, error-free and cost-effective data transmission.
— 100% Coverage: By supporting cellular and conventional dial-up telephone links, AirAccess provides continual coverage in the event that the user leaves the wireless coverage area.
"The AirAccess architecture was developed using a modular approach, which will enable us to incorporate emerging developments in hardware, software and infrastructure technology. This architecture also will enable us to add functionality based upon market feedback," said Richard Thio, AirSoft co-founder and vice president-engineering. "The protocols employed in Version 1.0 are highly optimized for wireless data transmission, and AirSoft is committed to an ongoing effort to fine-tune performance as additional hardware is introduced."
AirSoft is cooperating with OEM partners to bundle AirAccess with current and future wireless communications hardware, as well as to develop additional wireless applications for the horizontal and large vertical markets.
"AirSoft is committed to partnering with a handful of global leaders in the wireless telecommunications industry," said Michael Staiger, AirSoft co-founder and vice president – business development. "Currently, we are working closely with key OEMs to finalize strategic partnerships which will support joint product development programs, as well as joint marketing, distribution and publicity activities."
In addition to its own telesales group, AirSoft intends to distribute AirAccess through various OEM channels, value-added resellers such as consultants and system integrators, and retailers and third-party fulfillment channels.
Customers may order the single-user version of AirAccess supporting the RAM Mobile Data wireless networks by calling AirSoft at 800/708-4AIR. Through Dec. 1, 1993, AirAccess is available at the special introductory price of $199, which is $300 below the $499 list price.
RAM Mobile Data is offering its new customers using AirAccess an introductory price of $75 per month for unlimited usage of the RAM Mobile Data networks for the initial four months of subscription service. Existing RAM Mobile Data customers using RAM-enabled electronic mail programs can add AirAccess use over the networks for additional $75 per month for the initial four months of subscription service.
RAM-compatible wireless modems are available for the following sources: Ericsson Mobidems may be purchased by calling Ericsson/GE at 800/223-6336. The Intel Wireless Modem may be purchased from an authorized Intel dealer in your area, or by calling PC Connection at 800/800-0005. Information regarding the RAM-enabled version of the Motorola InfoTac, which is expected to ship shortly, will be available from Motorola and RAM Mobile Data.
The Cordless Computer Co., Palo Alto, Calif. (415/323-8195) offers AirAccess bundled with various radio modems.
In the fourth quarter, AirSoft will release a version of AirAccess which supports the ARDIS network. ARDIS subscribers may obtain additional information by calling AirSoft at 800/708-4AIR.
AirSoft Inc., headquartered in Palo Alto was founded in January 1993 with the mission of developing the world's most advanced software for wireless networks.
CONTACT:
Purdom Public Relations
Lauren Sonstrom, 415/588-5700
or
AirSoft Inc., Palo Alto
Michael Staiger, 415/354-8123
or
RAM Mobile Data
Leslie Schroeder, 408/446-9158
or
Ericsson GE Mobile Communications
Barbara Pistilli, 201/890-3644
or
Motorola
Susan Major, 708/576-0453
or
Megahertz Corp.
or
Andrew Capener, 801/272-6000
or
ARDIS
Bruce Martin, 708/913-4406