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Press Release
New Software for 3Com PalmPilot Professional Gives Users
Remote Access to E-mail and Personal Information
PalmPilot Network HotSync Extends One-Touch Synchronization
to LANs, WANs and Dial-up Networks
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- June 16, 1997 -- 3Com® (Nasdaq:
COMS) today announced the availability of Network HotSyncTM,
a software add-on for the PalmPilotTM Professional handheld
computer. With Network HotSync, PalmPilot users have two
powerful new ways to synchronize their e-mail and other
desktop information remotely, both across local- and
wide-area networks (LANs and WANs) and through dial-up
networks.
For people working in a large office or on a campus,
Network HotSync provides instant access to e-mail and
personal information on their primary PC from a computer
located on another floor, in another building, or in a
satellite office across the country. With a touch of the
HotSync button on the PalmPilot cradle, the Network HotSync
software on the remote computer intelligently uses the
network to locate the correct desktop PC, and synchronizes
e-mail, expenses, and other PalmPilot data.
Similarly, corporations that offer their mobile workforce
dial-up access to their network from laptop PCs, can easily
add dial-up access for PalmPilot users with Network HotSync.
Network HotSync enables PalmPilot users to synchronize from
anywhere in the world using standard TCP/IP-enabled dial-in
servers with PPP support, common in corporate environments
that support a mobile workforce. Using the PalmPilot
Professional, the snap-on PalmPilot Modem, and Network
HotSync, users can take advantage of their existing dial-up
infrastructure, including access phone numbers and
passwords, to connect with their network and synchronize
with their desktop PC.
"Network HotSync is the first product to enable handheld
users to synchronize over computer networks. This unique
capability provides a great incentive for businesses to
integrate PalmPilot as a broad-based corporate solution as
well as a personal productivity tool," said Joe Sipher,
product line manager for Palm Computing, the division of
3Com that designs and markets the handheld computers.
"PalmPilot now has a cost-effective means of empowering
mobile workers with instant access to information resident
on corporate networks."
Network HotSync greatly enhances the mobility of PalmPilot
and demonstrates the wider degree of functionality that can
be supported by Palm OSTM. Network HotSync is a transparent
extension of networking capabilities that is easily
installed by the user at the desktop and adheres to existing
security conventions.
"Our early tests of Network HotSync have proven that the
PalmPilot can be a powerful tool for our mobile support and
service people, who need quick access to e-mail and personal
information," said Eric Martin, End-User Workstation Support
Supervisor for Harley Davidson's York, Penn., production
facility, a beta test site for Network HotSync. "Network
HotSync and the PalmPilot have been very easy to integrate
into our network environment, and we hope to use the
PalmPilot as a platform for additional mobile solutions."
The family of PalmPilot connected organizers, designed as
companion products to personal computers, enable mobile
users to manage their schedules, personal information, and
e-mail on the road and at their desktops. PalmPilot's
HotSyncTM technology enables users to synchronize all of
their e-mail, contact, scheduling, and personal information
on their PalmPilot with the information on their personal
computer at the touch of a button.
The PalmPilot Modem enables users to synchronize their data
approximately 150 times on two triple-A batteries. Each
Network HotSync takes approximately two minutes, including
e-mail transfer.
The PalmPilot is based on the Palm Operating System (Palm
OSTM), a handheld computer operating system platform that
enables low-cost, low-power, small form-factor devices to
integrate seamlessly with desktop personal computers. The
Palm OS features highly efficient operating system software
for the handheld, and HotSync, the desktop software that
manages synchronization of the handheld and the PC.
Pricing and Availability
Network HotSync is available in June and carries a retail
price of $69. Site licenses are also available. The
PalmPilot Modem is available immediately, with a retail
price of $129, and the PalmPilot Professional Edition
retails for $399.
PalmPilot is distributed through leading consumer
electronics and computer stores nationwide, including
Circuit City, CompUSA, Computer City, Egghead, Office Depot,
OfficeMax, Staples, and other fine retailers. The product
is also available through national corporate resellers,
including Vanstar and Entex. In addition, Franklin Quest
offers the Franklin Electronic DayPlanner, which
incorporates the PalmPilot with Ascend '97 software, and is
available at Franklin Quest retail outlets and directly from
Franklin Quest. Network HotSync will be available through
computer stores and corporate resellers nationwide.
About 3Com Corporation
3Com Corporation enables individuals and organizations
worldwide to communicate and share information and resources
at anytime from anywhere. As the world's preeminent supplier
of data, voice and video communications technology, 3Com has
delivered networking solutions to more than 100 million
customers worldwide. With global reach and local touch, the
company gives enterprises, network service providers and
carriers, small businesses and consumers the most
comprehensive, innovative information access products and
system solutions for building intelligent, reliable and high
performance local and wide area networks. 3Com has worldwide
revenues of more than $5.5 billion and employs approximately
13,500 people in 45 countries. For further information, visit
3Com's new World Wide Web site at http://www.3Com.com/ or call
1-800-NET-3COM.
3Com, the 3Com logo, Palm Computing and Network HotSync are
registered trademarks of 3Com, and HotSync, PalmPilot, Palm
OS, and the PalmPilot logo are trademarks of 3Com and its
subsidiaries. All other brands and product names are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders.
Contact:
Allen Bush
A&R Partners
(415) 363-0982, ext. 228
allen_bush@arpartners.com
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