Strategic, Open Element of Wireless Enterprise Strategy

SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continuing its strategy to more directly address the enterprise market, Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM) today announced the Wireless Database Access Server (WDBAS) for developers in IT departments -- or Systems Integrators -- who need to create wireless applications that access corporate databases in real time. WDBAS is the second element of Palm's enterprise software strategy, following the introduction of the Palm(TM) i705 Wireless Messaging Solution for enterprises in late January.

WDBAS lets software developers use familiar Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) -- such as AppForge and Metrowerks' CodeWarrior -- to develop mobile applications and extend them so that remote users can access corporate data wirelessly. The familiar IDEs let developers create "smart client" applications that are optimized for wireless, and take full advantage of real-time database access; this is unique, and contrasts with other approaches that are only sync- or browser-oriented.

For a mobile user a sync application maintains data on the device and updates it only when the user synchronizes with his/her cradle; so the user doesn't always have the most up-to-date information. A browser application lets the user have up-to-date information only if he/she is in the coverage area; if out of wireless coverage, the application cannot function. Palm's smart client approach sits between these methods, letting developers build an application that can access previously stored data while offline, and also takes advantage of real-time data access so users have up-to-date information. WDBAS also can work with leading synchronization products to deliver hybrid smart-client applications combining the best of real-time data access and synchronization.

"Having real-time access to live data can be the difference between business intelligence and business lost. While mobile applications written to use synchronized snapshots of archived data can offer definite business value, live database access is the next step and crucial in maximizing the potential of most applications," said Adam Braunstein, senior research analyst with Robert Frances Group, an IT advisory and consultancy firm based in Westport, Conn. (www.rfgonline.com). "Palm, Inc.'s WDBAS has the capability to help IT executives enable smarter decisions with customer relationship management [CRM], e-commerce, enterprise resource planning [ERP], sales force automation [SFA], and many line of business [LOB] applications."

The new software is also Palm's first "open" handheld software that can support development of a single application that can be deployed to a Palm Powered(TM) or a Microsoft Pocket PC device. Palm is releasing WDBAS developer seats now, and will be make a WDBAS Enterprise Edition available later this year. The Enterprise Edition will include deployment licenses and additional advanced features.

"Until now many enterprises were apprehensive that deploying their database applications wirelessly would take skills and money they didn't have," said Jonathan Oakes, director of Enterprise Strategy at Palm, Inc. "Palm wants to extend the same ease of use that has made Palm so successful in the handheld industry into the mobile enterprise applications space."

WDBAS was designed with the following functionality and benefits in mind:

-- Builds applications fast. With WDBAS, enterprises can build or integrate wireless data-driven applications more quickly, using "pre-fab" pieces. No custom server development is required.

-- Lower cost of ownership. Modeled after typical wireline database applications for desktop and client-server applications, the WDBAS architecture uses tools and languages that are familiar to developers. This can minimize or eliminate training costs as well as speed development time.

-- Reduced risk, high quality. Extending corporate applications to multiple wireless devices can now be planned just like any other desktop project. And, using standard tools, prototypes can be developed quickly, with less risk, and executed on a tight schedule. WDBAS was designed for real-world deployment on today's wireless networks; as a result, developers have control over how much data is returned from queries, and large result sets can be paged through a few records at a time.

-- Works with industry standards. The software comes with support for nearly every enterprise database, including Oracle, IBM DB2, Microsoft SQL Server, and Sybase. Enterprise applications, such as sales force automation, supply chain management, and customer relationship management, are built on these standard databases.

-- End-to-end security. WDBAS offers secure connectivity, incorporating Certicom's encryption libraries, and also supports the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) for basic Internet security.

Palm is creating a channel of enterprise systems integrators and corporate solution resellers who can offer development, integration and support for WDBAS. These systems integrators and resellers will be trained by and work with Palm on business development as well as collaborate on the initial implementations of WDBAS.

Additional information about the Wireless Database Access Server (WDBAS) can be found at www.palm.com/enterprise.

Availability

The Wireless Database Access Server for developers is available now in the United States from two sources:

-- Metrowerks has bundled it with CodeWarrior Enterprise Edition CD for the Palm OS(R) platform; it can be purchased from www.metrowerks.com/specialoffer/palmee/ .

-- AppForge has it available for use with Visual Basic; it can be downloaded at www.appforge.com.

About Palm, Inc.

Palm, Inc. is a pioneer in the field of mobile and wireless Internet solutions and a leading provider of handheld computers, according to IDC (December 2000). Based on the Palm OS(R) platform, Palm's handheld solutions allow people to carry and access their most critical information wherever they go. Palm(TM) handhelds address the needs of individuals, enterprises and educational institutions by offering the foundation for thousands of application solutions. Palm stock is traded on the Nasdaq national market under the symbol PALM. More information is available at http://www.palm.com .

NOTE: Palm OS is a registered trademark and Palm and Palm Powered are trademarks of Palm, Inc. Other brands may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Palm, Inc.
Web site: http: //www.palm.com
CONTACT: Ronni Sarmanian of Palm, Inc., +1-408-878-2547, or ronni.sarmanian@corp.palm.com