3Com and Sybase, Inc. today announced that they are extending their strategic alliance to enable the development of cost-effective, reliable, wireless enterprise solutions for the Palm Computing platform. The companies will work together to optimise wireless data synchronisation for remote enterprise users of Palm Computing platform organisers, including the Palm III, Palm IIIx, Palm V and the upcoming Palm VII organisers. The cornerstone of the solution is Sybase SQL Anywhere Studio`s UltraLite and MobiLink technologies, combined with the 3Com CodeWarrior development tool. 3Com will demonstrate a prototype of this solution at IDG`s Demo Mobile conference being held in the US this week.
Sybase`s support of wireless technology is expected to present new ways for companies across industries to reduce communications costs, increase employee productivity and better service their customers, explains 3Com SA`s product marketing manager, Gavin Levin. "For example, field service engineers at a telecommunications company will be able to immediately determine the availability of a part needed for repair while the customer waits, and financial service brokers will be able to execute transactions at a client`s boardroom table or while on the road," he says.
3Com and Sybase plan to jointly market this solution to their respective customers. "We`re seeing significant customer demand for a solution that combines offline data collection on a Palm Computing platform device with wireless synchronisation, enabling, for example, an insurance agent to collect information in the field and then connect wirelessly with the main office for on-the-spot claims approval," says Kevin Perkins at National Technical Support Center (NTSC), a consultant and system integrator for the banking, finance, and telecommunications markets. "Today`s announcement from 3Com and Sybase is exciting news, enabling the quick development of reliable, cost-effective wireless handheld solutions for the enterprise."
"Sybase`s server synchronisation technology is an important part of our platform offerings in the enterprise arena worldwide," says Keith Ramee, business development manager for 3Com`s Palm Computing company. "Our combined technologies present an ideal option for companies in a wide variety of vertical markets looking to increase their business productivity through wireless data access using our handheld products."
"Our customers in areas such as financial services, field sales and service, healthcare, and insurance are demanding robust, wireless access to their important business data," says Terry Stepien, senior vice president and general manager, Sybase`s Mobile and Embedded Computing Division. "It`s exciting to be working with 3Com to help fuel the growth of wireless enterprise applications for leading handheld computing devices such as the Palm VII product."
Sybase SQL Anywhere Enables Wireless Enterprise Solutions
3Com`s Levin points out that Sybase SQL Anywhere Studio provides a comprehensive package for mobile computing business needs, designed to lower the total cost of ownership and enable rapid deployment of mobile computing solutions. "The new UltraLite deployment option provides the industry`s first application-optimised, ultra-small database that resides locally on Palm Computing platform devices," he says. "MobiLink provides two-way enterprise server synchronization, enabling the UltraLite database on a handheld device to seamlessly receive information from and send information to a corporate database."
Levin goes on to say that unlike other wireless data access offerings, Sybase technology enables local data storage on the end-user`s Palm device ensuring fast, reliable access to the information a remote worker needs to be effective. "Mobile professionals are able to reliably enter data and access locally stored information critical to the job at hand. They can then utilise their wireless connection to synchronize the information with the corporate database."
Sybase`s Mobile and Embedded Computing Division
Sybase`s Mobile and Embedded Computing (MEC) division is committed to helping organisations realise the promise of "information anywhere." Sybase SQL Anywhere Studio is designed to enable users to seamlessly synchronise data across the enterprise - from laptops, handheld computing devices and pagers to intelligent appliances. Through its Business Solutions Alliance Program, Sybase works with partners to jointly address the widespread demand for applications tailored to the mobile and embedded market.
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3Com Corporation
Sybase, Inc. Headquartered in Emeryville, CA, Sybase, Inc. is one of the largest global independent software companies. The company helps businesses integrate, manage and deliver applications, content and data anywhere they are needed. Sybase`s products, combined with its world-class professional services and partner technologies, provide a comprehensive platform for delivering the integrated solutions businesses need to be successful. Leveraging its existing strengths in enterprise data management and enterprise application development, Sybase, Inc. is focused on delivering end-to-end solutions for mobile and embedded computing, data warehousing, and Web computing environments. Sybase customers represent the industries leading the global economy, with strong concentrations in financial services, public sector, telecommunications and media, and health care. The company`s Web address is www.sybase.com.
3Com: With more than 200 million customers worldwide, 3Com Corporation connects more people in more ways to information than any other networking company. 3Com delivers innovative information access products and network system solutions to large, medium and small enterprises; carriers and network service providers; PC OEMs; and consumers. 3Com `More connected`. For further information, visit 3Com`s World Wide Web site at www.3com.com or the press site at www.3com.com/pressbox.
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