Microsoft Announces First Availability Of Microsoft Mobile Workplace Solutions

ANAHEIM, Calif., Oct. 8, 2002 — Today at MEC 2002, Microsoft Corp. announced the availability of the first Microsoft® Mobile Workplace solutions for wireless messaging and customer relationship management (CRM), including sales force and field force automation. First announced in July, the Mobile Workplace simplifies the deployment of Windows®
Powered mobile device solutions in the enterprise through coordination between Microsoft and top mobile operators and systems integrators, including Accenture, Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, HP Services and AT & T Wireless.

“Deploying mobile solutions can be a challenge,”
said Pieter Knook, corporate vice president of the Network Service Providers and Mobile Devices Division at Microsoft.
“In the Microsoft Mobile Workplace initiative, Microsoft, together with the mobile operators and systems integrators, is delivering high-caliber mobile solutions that simplify the deployment process and enable mobile workers.”

Microsoft and its systems integrator partners are delivering Mobile Workplace solutions in the following areas:

  • Mobile Workplace Messaging is an integrated, end-to-end messaging solution that enables wireless access to e-mail and personal information from Pocket PCs, Smartphones and laptops with support for cellular and local area wireless networks. This provides a foundation for adding business applications that access data and enterprise systems behind corporate firewalls.

  • Mobile Workplace CRM is a set of solutions designed to increase productivity among sales and field personnel. The Sales Force Automation solution provides functionality to increase the productivity of sales personnel away from the office with tasks including sales opportunity tracking, product and contact information, and order capture. The Field Force Automation solution assists field service personnel with functions such as directions, parts management, instructional videos and invoice signing.

Mobile Workplace Solutions

Microsoft’s systems integrator partners announced immediate availability of the following Mobile Workplace solutions:

Accenture will expand its end-to-end mobile enterprise offering to support Windows Powered mobile devices and the Mobile Workplace initiative through the following services: Mobile Corporate Email/PIM, Mobile Sales Force, Mobile Field Service, Mobile Intranet Access and Mobile Data Access.

“Our customers are looking for mobile work force solutions that cut costs and deliver a tangible return on investment,”
said Terry Ecklund, a partner in the Communications and High Tech group at Accenture.
“By combining our broad set of wireless consulting capabilities with the technological flexibility of the Microsoft platform, we are able to deploy scalable wireless solutions quickly and efficiently, regardless of infrastructure complexity.”

Cap Gemini Ernst & Young has utilized the Microsoft Mobile Workplace initiative to deliver a Field Force Automation solution to customers. The Cap Gemini Ernst & Young EASY Mobile solution gives field service personnel using Pocket PC devices real-time access to crucial client and enterprise information from any location. The EASY Mobile solution eliminates paperwork and streamlines service processes such as receiving and allocating orders, diagnosing service needs, and sourcing spare parts.

“We’re committed to helping businesses realize their full potential by improving work force productivity and customer satisfaction,”
said Rob Van de Star, vice president of Global Leader Advanced Development and Integration Service Line at Cap Gemini Ernst & Young.
“The Microsoft Mobile Workplace Field Force Automation solution enables companies to achieve these goals in a cost-efficient and timely manner.”

HP Services and AT & T Wireless will deliver AT & T Wireless WorkWare, a Mobile Workplace Messaging solution. As part of the offer, AT & T Wireless will ship the new Siemens SX56 Pocket PC, which is equipped with integrated Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) voice calling and data capabilities.

“Enterprise customers are increasingly utilizing mobile solutions to help drive costs from their business and to more effectively deploy and access vital business information,”
said Rene Schuster, senior vice president and general manager of Consulting and Integration at HP Services.
“The Microsoft Mobile Workplace initiative complements HP’s capability to offer customers end-to-end mobility solutions that can be rapidly designed and deployed and from which they can realize immediate benefit.”

Microsoft expects the number of systems integrators offering Mobile Workplace solutions to increase. Industry partners are expected to deliver additional Mobile Workplace solutions, including enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions covering supply chain management, government, utilities, pharmaceutical and healthcare providers, and a number of financial services. Additional information about the Microsoft Mobile Workplace initiative can be found at: http://www.microsoft.com/mobile/enterprise/mobileworkplace.asp .

About MEC 2002

MEC 2002 is the essential Microsoft conference for planning, deploying and managing a connected enterprise for IT professionals and technical decision-makers. This year, 5,500 customers, partners and Microsoft technical staff and speakers will gather at MEC 2002 in Anaheim, Calif., to hear more than 200 breakout sessions and to explore 190 exhibitor booths. Platinum sponsors for MEC 2002 include Cisco Systems Inc., Dell Computer Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co., Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. and Verizon Wireless.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.

Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

For online information about the Microsoft Mobile Workplace initiative:

Visit the virtual press center at http://www.microsoftmobilitypress.com/ .

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