Industry Bigshots and Upstarts Rally Around AvantGo 2.0
SAN MATEO, Calif. — September 21, 1998 — Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT), IBM (NYSE:IBM), Oracle (Nasdaq:ORCL), Symbol Technologies (NYSE:SBL), Palm Computing (Nasdaq:COMS) and other leading technology vendors showed their support today for AvantGo 2.0, a comprehensive, scalable solution for delivering enterprise and Web-based applications to handheld computers.
AvantGo Inc., the authority in managing mobile information, today officially released the product (see related announcement "AvantGo Releases AvantGo 2.0," Sept. 21, 1998). This unprecedented show of support for a new product, reflects the strong demand for a robust solution for managing mobile information.
These and other software platform providers, applications developers, hardware device manufacturers, wireless service providers and channel partners are all working to help companies extend business systems to handheld devices, according to Felix Lin, CEO of AvantGo. "We are overwhelmed by the support that the community has shown for our new enterprise-focused solution. AvantGo and its partners are working together to develop new applications designed for mobile workforces, made possible by simplified, centralized user administration, universal remote access and high-performance mobile transactions between handheld devices and enterprise applications."
Software Platform Relationships
AvantGo has developed relationships with Microsoft, Oracle and other software platform providers to integrate its products with well-known enterprise software products. For example, AvantGo 2.0 synchronizes handheld applications with corporate databases from Oracle, Sybase and Informix that store vital business data.
"AvantGo does an excellent job of leveraging the Oracle Lite embedded database to provide seamless access to Oracle8 database from a range of exciting handheld devices," said Jacob Christfort, director of product management at Oracle's mobile and embedded products group. "With an intuitive Web browser on the handheld, and using Oracle Lite to access the enterprise database on the back end, AvantGo provides what corporations need to integrate handhelds into their computing infrastructure."
Applications Developer Relationships
Applications developers are praising AvantGo for providing programming interfaces that enable enterprise data to flow easily between corporate systems and handhelds. Some of the applications providers that are bundling, reselling or making their products compatible with AvantGo, include UpShot which provides Web-powered sales automation software for contact, opportunity and lead management; and Visto Corporation which offers personal information management online service and software.
"AvantGo is helping organizations make the most of their business applications by extending them to handheld devices," said Kris Olson, vice president of marketing of UpShot. "Many users of UpShot Sales, our Web-based sales automation solutions, are 'road warriors' who will really benefit from accessing important information at any time, anywhere — via their handhelds."
"A growing number of individuals rely on handheld devices to access important personal and business information while on the go," said Bill Heppner, Visto's vice president for business development. "Working with AvantGo, we can deliver a broad range of important personal information — such as calendar, address book and email — that mobile professionals need, right to their handheld devices."
Hardware Platform Relationships
AvantGo provides an open, cross-platform solution for organizations that need to deliver business applications on a variety of hardware devices, such as Palm Computing and Windows CE-based platforms. The company has an existing relationship with hardware vendor 3Com, which bundles AvantGo Desktop and AvantGo Client with every Palm III device, and with IBM which ships AvantGo Client with every IBM WorkPad PC Companion.
"AvantGo's software for the WorkPad enables enterprises to build mobile e-business applications," said Leo Suarez, Director of Product Marketing, IBM Mobile Computing. "As it becomes more prevalent as a corporate tool, we anticipate great demand for applications that extend enterprise information to the WorkPad."
AvantGo has also formed an alliance with Symbol Technologies, a world leader in mobile computing systems for more than 20 years, which grants Symbol the rights to pre-install AvantGo Client on every one of its new products and to resell AvantGo Server through its direct sales force and VAR network.
"Symbol's new class of handheld devices requires an advanced technology, capable of data synchronization, access to HTML information and the means to handle simultaneous access to many terminals. Our devices must also work with both Palm OS and Windows CE-based environments. AvantGo's software met all of our requirements and more," said Keith Kanneg, director of Software Marketing at Symbol Technologies Inc.
"From the early months of our relationship with 3Com and their Palm device, we have known about AvantGo and their product direction and look forward to working closely with them to offer additional solutions for our mobile customers."
Additionally, OEMs of Windows CE-compatible devices are supporting AvantGo's open, cross-platform approach. Manufacturers of these handheld devices, including Casio, praise AvantGo for its innovation in extending corporate applications to handhelds.
"AvantGo has now provided a compelling reason for handhelds to play an integral role in the corporate IS infrastructure," said Barry Raymond, director, Vertical Markets for Casio Manufacturing Corporation. "We look forward to working with them on enterprise sales that can benefit both companies, particularly in the areas of healthcare and industrial data collection applications."
Wireless Service Provider Relationships
With AvantGo software, mobile professionals can access any information from any network on any handheld device because AvantGo Server provides universal access using standard Internet communication protocols.
Every time mobile professionals synchronize their handheld computers, updated information automatically replaces outdated information. This is true using a dialup modem or wireless service, giving Novatel Wireless, AT&T Wireless, Option International and Metricom a compelling reason to support AvantGo.
"Regardless of where an employee is working, AvantGo and our Minstrel wireless modem make it possible to send and receive important information that is vital to business," said Ambrose Tam, president of Novatel Wireless Inc. "With these capabilities, we anticipate that many more large enterprises will be adopting handhelds with wireless access."
"This is an exciting time for GSM users because with AvantGo and our Snap-On product, users can now extend their mobile phones to gain data access for their handhelds via wireless communications," said Jeff Elias, vice president at Option International. "We are excited about working with AvantGo to provide road warriors with information anytime, anywhere."
Channel Relationships
AvantGo is also working with a select group of VARs, Systems Integrators, Distributors and Consultants to deliver solutions based on its mobile computing software. The AvantGo Business Partner Program is designed to build strong relationships with industry-leading technology and service companies that wish to offer mobile solutions for corporate customers. (see related announcement "AvantGo Announces Business Partner Program," Sept. 21, 1998).
About AvantGo Inc.
AvantGo Inc. has quickly established itself as the authority in managing mobile information with its innovative solution for extending enterprise applications to handheld computers, such as those based on the Windows CE and Palm Computing platforms.
A privately held company based in San Mateo, AvantGo is funded by 21st Century Internet Venture Partners (www.21vc.com), Hambrecht & Quist (www.hamquist.com), Adobe Ventures II (www.adobe.com) and private investors. For more information, please visit the company's Web site at www.avantgo.com or call 650/638-3399.
CONTACT:
Evans Partners/for AvantGo
Joanna Kulesa, 831/423-2300
[email protected]