REDMOND, Wash., and SAN DIEGO, Aug. 7, 2000 — Microsoft Corp. and Wireless Knowledge Inc. today announced they are joining forces to provide customers of Microsoft with a complete solution for mobile access to Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5, and future Exchange upgrades, using Wireless Knowledge’s Workstyle™
Server. Further, Wireless Knowledge will be designated as a primary service partner for enterprise mobility services including strategic consulting, application development and education.
Wireless Knowledge’s Workstyle Server 3.0 is the designated wireless solution for Microsoft Exchange 5.5. Available today, Workstyle Server provides access to Microsoft Exchange 5.5 via a broad range of wireless Internet devices such as mobile phones and PDAs over any wireless network, in addition to land-line Internet devices such as PCs, WebTV® service-based appliances and kiosks.
The two companies will also combine technologies to jointly develop next-generation wireless access applications for Microsoft Exchange. Because both these products share a compatible collaborative wireless architecture, Microsoft is able to offer enterprise customers initially deploying Workstyle Server a clear, simple and cost-effective upgrade path to future versions built on the Microsoft platform.
“Our alliance with Wireless Knowledge allows us to immediately bring the benefits of mobile data access to corporate customers and collaborate on the development of future offerings,”
said Paul Gross, senior vice president of the Collaboration and Mobility Group at Microsoft.
“Wireless Knowledge has delivered the industry’s leading solution enabling mobile workers to access their most essential corporate information. Workstyle Server is an ideal choice for the current installed base of 55 million Exchange users.”
“The message that this alliance delivers to the market is clear: Mobile access to business information is safe, secure and available now,”
said Eric Schultz, chairman and CEO of Wireless Knowledge.
“By joining forces with Microsoft, we can make our wireless software products and services widely available to enterprise customers throughout the world and jointly develop next-generation products.”
Workstyle Server 3.0, announced in July 2000, gives mobile users access to e-mail, calendar and contact information using any device, any browser, any wireless data-enabled network and any markup language. All data is accessed from the corporate network in real time, helping ensure that employees are acting on the most current information and eliminating the need for awkward synchronization with the desktop or server.
“Together, Microsoft and Wireless Knowledge make an unbeatable combination for companies in need of wireless access to critical corporate applications,”
said Andy Seybold, senior partner, Andrew Seybold Group.
“The synergy between Microsoft’s enterprise application leadership and its emerging mobility initiatives combined with Wireless Knowledge’s mobile access expertise makes it easy for enterprises to rapidly deploy wireless Internet access and reap the benefits of true mobility immediately.”
About Wireless Knowledge
Wireless Knowledge Inc., a Microsoft and QUALCOMM company, delivers packaged products and comprehensive strategic services to mobilize powerful business-critical information. Tapping the wireless Internet with mobile phones and popular handheld devices, workers can gain instant, secure access to the corporate network today. Wireless Knowledge puts the power of corporate information into the hands of those who need it the most, mobile workers, wherever and whenever they need it. The company’s Workstyle Server is now delivering increased productivity for key enterprise customers including Aventis Pharmaceuticals and Cox Communications. More information on Wireless Knowledge can be found on the company Web site at http://www.wirelessknowledge.com/ .
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.
©2000 Wireless Knowledge
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