Palm and Anyware Provide Simplified Data-collection Services For Mobile Employees

MILPITAS, Calif., Feb. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM), the leading provider of handheld computers, and Anyware Mobile Solutions, a provider of remote end-user data-collection services, today announced that Anyware is using Palm Solutions Group's Wireless Database Access Server (WDBAS) to deliver data-collection services to Anyware's mobile enterprise customers. Anyware customers using Palm(TM) handhelds can now create data-collection applications with Anyware's Remote End-user Data Services (REDS), and distribute the electronic forms to handhelds in the field within minutes.

Two critical requirements in the enterprise today are remote data collection and remote data access. Before WDBAS, creation and support of customized, wireless data-collection forms for Anyware's customers involved long, expensive development cycles to write code for networking, encryption and database access. Anyware is freed from this complex process and is able to provide wireless services that let its customers' mobile employees collect and access critical corporate data.

Anyware's solutions allow non-technical business managers and data- gathering employees to create and edit electronic data-collection solutions with just a few clicks of the mouse. Form creators use LogicLine(TM), an online drag-and-drop menu selection, to create the forms. No programming is involved in creating the application, or in setting up wireless networking, encryption or integration with Anyware's servers. Instead, Palm's WDBAS handles all of the complexities of secure wireless database access. Once the form is complete, managers can send the form out to all of their handheld users in the field who are within wireless coverage areas, at customer sites or in the office. (NOTE: Wireless coverage is limited and not yet available everywhere in the United States.) To complete the form and collect the data, mobile workers simply tap responses to fill in the blanks. Mobile users can send the data collected on their handhelds back to their central systems using a wireless network connection (where available), a modem connection or by performing a cradle synchronization. From there, the data can be accessed and analyzed.

Bama Companies, Inc., an Anyware customer, currently is using Palm handhelds with the Anyware data-collection services. Bama provides flour-based products to companies such as McDonald's, Pizza Hut and Olive Garden. Bama managers use Anyware's solutions to create data-collection forms that they send out to mobile employees who gather customer-satisfaction feedback, product quality levels and product sell-through data.

"For a long time, our enterprise customers have felt that replacing their paper forms with Palm handhelds was great in concept, but, in many cases, was out of their reach technically and financially," said Jim McGill, chairman and chief executive officer, Anyware Mobile Solutions. "But now, Palm has simplified wireless database access to the point where it is easier, faster and cheaper for our customers to create, distribute and complete electronic data-collection forms than it is for them to design, print, distribute and complete paper forms that require data entry before data can be analyzed."

About Anyware

Anyware Mobile Solutions ( http://www.goanyware.com ), a Tulsa-based division of Macrosolve, Inc., has more than five years of experience providing remote data products and services to industries ranging from the aerospace, energy, environmental and food service sectors to government, healthcare, manufacturing and retail. Anyware is a Palm, Inc. Corporate Solutions Provider, a Microsoft Solution developer and reseller of mobile devices and accessories.

About Palm, Inc.

With shipment of more than 20 million Palm handheld computers, many carried in pockets, purses and briefcases around the world, Palm delivers devices that make it easy for people to use and keep track of what matters to them.

Information about Palm, Inc. is available at http://www.palm.com/aboutpalm .

NOTE: Palm is a trademark of Palm, Inc. Other brands may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Palm, Inc.