SA`s national rugby team get connected with 3Com`s Palm III

SPS Virtual Communications Technologies, a communications solutions provider, has supplied South Africa`s National Rugby team with 3Com`s Palm III Connected Organizer, aimed at equipping the players with a communications device that is user friendly, reduces costs and travel weight.

"Email is an important communication medium for the touring rugby players and until now, they had to rely on their laptops which need too many leads and cables to get connected," says Andrew Louwrens, Internet officer, for the South African National Rugby Football Union (SARFU). "SPS came up with an inexpensive, more convenient wireless communications solution for the national rugby team, by supplying them with 3Com`s Palm III for their recent Grand Slam rugby tour to the UK."

LAN Design, a distributor for 3Com products, supplied SPS with 36 Palm III units, which were given to the Springbok players and the under 21 side who went on the tour.

"Most of the players are technophobic but within a short time we were easily able to teach them how to use the Palm III which we configured according to the players` specific needs," adds Peter Bayer, marketing director for SPS.

He says that living in a global community that is virtually connected makes communication simpler and 3Com`s Palm III is a complete wireless solution for the team who are on the road most of the time and need to be in constant contact with their families, friends and businesses.

"3Com`s Palm III is easy to use and it brings my family and friends a step closer to wherever I am in the world, through constant communication," says Mark Andrews, lock for the South African National rugby team. "The Internet is an essential form of communication when abroad and I have now found the Palm III to be the easiest and most convenient communications device to use while touring."

SARFU`s Louwrens explains that the use of the Internet is a cost effective communications option for the players compared to the cost of an international call. "The sending and retrieving of messages is made even easier with the Palm III since it is a light weight, portable communications device that just needs to be plugged in to cellular phone with a built in modem or a land line in order to be connected."

He goes on to say that Visual Communications organised a link up with Demon, an Internet service provider in the UK, for the Grand Slam tour, so the cost of using the Internet amounted to a local call and reduced communication costs by at least 75%.

Wireless communication is made possible with the Palm III Connected Organizer through the software written by Smartcode for the Palm computing platform, which includes HandFax, and HandMail.

HandMail allows the players to get the power of a full-sized email application and the convenience of a hand-held computer, explains Sean Heyes, 3Com SA`s retail programme manager.

"One can send and save Memo documents, preview email before downloading, delete messages remotely and file important messages into the players` customised folders," he adds. "The players can also send and receive faxes, which is made possible through HandFax, which also keeps a complete log of all fax transactions and customises cover pages with the players` own logo."