Franklin Covey Announces New Franklin Planner Software to Support Palm Computing Connected Organizers
SALT LAKE CITY — March 5, 1999 — Franklin Covey (NYSE: FC), a premier leadership development and productivity firm, today announced the availability of Franklin Planner(TM) Software, formerly ASCEND(R), a powerful business and personal information management system. The new software incorporates Franklin Covey's time and life management methodology presented in its popular What Matters Most(R) seminar, with Personal Information Manager (PIM) capabilities, offering users a proven life management system. The software is compatible with 3Com Corporation's (Nasdaq: COMS) family of Palm Computing(R) connected organizers, including the newly released Palm V(TM) and Palm IIIx(TM).
Equipped with automated wizards, Franklin Planner Software helps individuals identify values and personal roles, build mission statements, and set goals with weekly and daily areas of focus to accomplish what matters most to them. A multimedia presentation highlights key concepts from Franklin Covey's What Matters Most workshop. In addition to leveraging the strengths of the world renowned Franklin Planner time management system, the software also allows users to take essential information with them by printing to any size of Franklin Planner paper or synchronizing with any Palm Computing organizer.
"Our goal is to provide users with a complete time and life management solution, with Franklin Planner Software as an integral element," said Doug Smith, vice president of Electronic Solutions at Franklin Covey. "Customers will be able to apply the What Matters Most content in a variety of formats including a Franklin Planner, Franklin Planner Software, a Palm Computing organizer: Franklin Planner Edition, or any combination to customize a solution to fit individual needs. We have created a line of leather binders that combines the strengths of two industry leaders, the Franklin Planner and the Palm Computing organizer, by marrying paper and technology."
New multiple user capabilities allow several users to access their individually licensed Franklin Planner Software from a shared workstation, maintaining individual data and preferences. By identifying the user, the HotSync(R) Manager enables synchronization of information with multiple Palm Computing connected organizers.
Offering Franklin Planner Software bundled with the new Palm Computing connected organizers, Franklin Covey will continue to maximize the power and performance of the Palm Computing platform. As with the industry-leading Palm III(TM), Palm V(TM) and Palm IIIx(TM) users will be able to seamlessly synchronize data between Franklin Planner Software on their PC and Palm Computing organizers.
Earlier this year Franklin Covey announced a partnership with 3Com Corporation to provide its popular What Matters Most life management training featuring the Palm Computing connected organizer as a primary planning tool in conjunction with Franklin Planner Software or an extension to Microsoft Outlook, currently under development. Franklin Covey now offers basic training courses on Palm Computing connected organizers at no cost to customers visiting any of Franklin Covey's 125 retail stores.
"Franklin Planner Software is a valuable addition to the Palm Computing platform," said Mark Bercow, vice president, strategic alliances and platform development for Palm Computing, Inc., a 3Com company. "With its instant name recognition and time management expertise, Franklin Covey continues to increase awareness among consumers of the rapidly expanding Palm Computing platform."
Pricing and Availability
Franklin Planner Software is now shipping at the suggested retail price of $99.95. It also comes bundled with Franklin Planner Editions of Palm Computing connected organizers. Franklin Planner Software is available through major computer retailers and 125 Franklin Covey retail stores located across North America, Franklin Covey's direct sales team, catalogs and online store (www.franklincovey.com).Registered users of all versions of ASCEND can upgrade to Franklin Planner Software for $39.95. Current Palm Computing organizer owners may also purchase Franklin Planner Software for $39.95.
Franklin Planner Software System Requirements
— 486 or Pentium Processor
— 8 megabytes of RAM (16 is recommended)
— approximately 25 megabytes of hard drive
About Franklin Covey
Franklin Covey Co. (NYSE: FC) provides solutions to help individuals and organizations use proven principles to increase personal and organizational leadership effectiveness, trust, and productivity. It trains more than 750,000 people each year. More than 17.5 million people now use its planners, agendas and electronic solutions. Franklin Covey has more than 15 million books in print with more than 1.5 million being sold each year, including Stephen Covey's, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. There are 125 Franklin Covey stores throughout the U.S. which provide individuals, families and organizations tools for effective living.
ASCEND is a U.S. registered trademark and the Franklin Planner is a trademark of Franklin Covey Co. Palm Computing and HotSync are registered trademarks, and Palm III, Palm IIIx, Palm V and Palm are trademarks of Palm Computing, Inc., 3Com Corporation, or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
SOURCE Franklin Covey Co.
CONTACT:
Nicol Andrews, 801-817-6205, [email protected], or Laura Ellertson, 801-496-4247, [email protected], both of Franklin Covey;
or
Ara Jane Olufson of Imagio Public Relations, 206-625-0252, [email protected], for Franklin Covey