NEWS FLASH 2000 - 24 (July 2000)
(Updated on July 18,  2000)

PRODUCTS, SERVICES & APPLICATIONS

iAnywhere Solutions and Ericsson to Develop Mobile Banking Solution

iAnywhere Solutions, Inc., a subsidiary of Sybase, Inc., and Ericsson have announced that they have formed a global strategic alliance to develop and deliver an "always available" mobile banking solutions. Sybase plans to establish a test center in Sweden for joint development of m-business applications powered by Sybase’s iAnywhere Wireless Server, targeting Ericsson Epoc-based mobile phone.

Ericsson and Sybase plan to co-develop and deliver mobile baking and trading solutions based on WAP. In addition, the companies will combine their expertise in mobile Internet, financial markets, and wireless technologies to provide services to enable widespread adoption of these applications.

The Sybase/Ericsson mobile banking applications will enable financial institutions to offer their customers more timely, flexible, and personalized services. Currently, mobile applications require the user to stay connected to the wireless network to access data. In contrast, the Sybase/Ericsson solutions in development will provide mobile users with the ability to work either on- or off-line so they have "always available" access to financial data. For example, a customer on a subway train could make changes to his financial profile using his EPOC phone, and when he returns into wireless coverage, the desired transactions would be initiated immediately.

For more information: http://dynamic.sybase.com/press_releases/press_releases/ExternalItem/0,1099,37200,00.html

Mobileinfo Comments and Advisory: Sybase is going after lucrative financial market captured by niche players like 724 Solutions. We like their ability to work offline but banking industry business process know-how is paramount. So is the need for tight integration with big iron from IBM. Sybase must have an open design as well to support multiple devices - not just Ericsson's EPOC phone. We would advise Sybase to pick a financial institution partner first before they tie up tightly with a device vendor, even though Ericsson is a major wireless player. On the whole, it is a good initiative by Sybase to stake its role in the mobile enterprise space. 

Note: This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Readers should take appropriate caution in developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology architectures.

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