Handheld Computing SA announces JV with RangeGate to bring Palm.Net Wireless Communication service to SA

Johannesburg, 18 Apr 2001

In a first for the local market, Handheld Computing SA, in a joint venture with RangeGate, will be bringing the Palm.Net wireless communication service to South Africa. The partnership between the two companies has been formed specifically to drive the groundbreaking, new wireless service, which will be available within the next two months.

Already available to Palm users in the United States, the Palm.Net Wireless Communication service was designed to provide two-way wireless access for Palm handhelds. Soon South African mobile workers and consumers will be able to use Palm.Net to send and receive e-mail messages and access online information from almost anywhere, all without modems and phone wires.

Sean Heyes, country manager of Palm SA says that the new company will be partnering with a host of South African web sites, banks, cellular providers and retailers over the next quarter to ensure users have access to key information online. "The Palm.Net service provides users with the best of the Internet while they are on the move. From news and stock quotes, to weather reports or travel and entertainment information, it`s all at your fingertips with Palm.Net," says Heyes.

The Palm.Net service utilises Palm`s efficient web clipping technology which ensures the quick and simple display of web information. "Palm took a different approach to accessing information on the World Wide Web," explains Heyes. "The browsing metaphor doesn`t make sense from a handheld platform device with a small screen and low bandwidth. So Palm came up with the concept of web clipping which takes standard html web pages and down- sizes them onto a Palm-sized screen in the best viewable format for these devices. Palm`s approach to wireless e-mail works in a similar fashion, providing software that is a streamlined version of the traditional PC-Internet exchange e-mail."

Heyes believes that the wireless Internet access provided by Palm.Net will become an essential tool in the South African business arena. "As more and more South African professionals enter the `mobile workforce`, the ability to access key Internet information, data and e-mail, on the move, will become increasingly important." A recent Forrester Research survey showed that 40 percent of Fortune 2,500 businesses in the US have equipped or are equipping their workforces with mobile tools. "Wireless Internet access is going to become more and more of a necessity for companies who need to make strategic content available from the Internet, portable. We expect to see Handheld Computing SA, in its new venture with RangeGate, playing a key role in the increasing mobilisation of South African enterprises," concludes Heyes.

Palm Inc.

Palm, Inc. is the leading provider of handheld computers (IDC, Dec 1999), including the m100 and Palm III, Palm V and Palm VII (US only) series of handheld computers. The Palm OS platform is the foundation for the industry-leading handheld computers from the company as well as products from its strategic partners such as IBM, QUALCOMM, Franklin Covey, Handspring, TRG and Symbol Technologies. Platform licensees also include Sony and Nokia. Designed to support the increasingly mobile and geographically dispersed nature of information management, the company`s handheld solutions allow people to carry their most critical information in their pockets.

Palm in South Africa

In South Africa, Palm is represented by Sean Heyes who spearheaded sales over R24 million in 1999. South African technology has, in many cases, leapfrogged other parts of the world, and Palm believes that, as seen in the cellular industry, the country`s willingness to embrace new technology will drive the growth of handheld computing in coming years.

Palm products are becoming increasingly important as the nature of information management becomes ever more mobile. Palm believes that handheld computing products are the next wave in individual productivity tools for the workforce. The South African corporate environment is being transformed into an extended, virtual enterprise supported by a highly mobile workforce that requires fast, easy remote access to networked resources and electronic communications. Palm addresses this demand by providing handheld computing products that are affordable, easy-to-use and extremely portable.

Palm is the most well supported personal computing supplier in the industry and users can choose from literally thousands of third party software programs and accessories ranging from educational tools to GPS tracking systems.

Palm has a well-structured channel with three value added resellers (VARs) - Quintech, Teratach and RangeGate. ScanTech is Palm`s official swap out centre, and works closely with Palm together to develop tailored enterprise solutions.

Palm products are distributed in South Africa through Workgroup Solutions and Westcon.

Palm OS is a registered trademark and Palm is a trademark of Palm, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks are the property of their owners.

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