News
Issue #2002 - 10 (March 2002)
(Updated Mar. 13, 2002)

INFRASTRUCTURE, PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Compaq Offers Wireless Test Drive
Source - Compaq Press Release and eWeek

HOUSTON, March 7, 2002 - Compaq Computer Corporation and Shipcom Wireless, Inc., today announced a strategic alliance under which Compaq will license, market and distribute Shipcom's CATAMARAN™ Multiple Application Connectivity Wireless Software as part of its new strategic Wireless Enterprise Framework.

The Multiple Application Connectivity Software provides access to enterprise applications like Siebel, SAP, and Oracle simultaneously. Companies that have invested heavily in enterprise systems are seeking new ways to improve business performance by leveraging mobile computing and communications. The Wireless Enterprise Framework can help companies get an quick return on investment (ROI) by taking the abstraction, obscurity and complexity out of deploying such solutions. Shipcom employs Mobile Business Rules Builder that is capable of delivering wireless projects fast and without conventional programming.

Compaq will use Shipcom's Multiple Application Connectivity Software and Infowave's messaging engine as the core infrastructure for its Wireless Enterprise Framework. Compaq will target Global 2000 organizations that are committed to deploying the most reliable, scalable, standards based, and cost effective hardware/software wireless solutions. Solutions such as these, which normally take between 16 to 20 weeks to implement, can be integrated within three to four weeks using the Wireless Enterprise Framework.

"With its simplicity and speed of deployment, the Multiple Application Connectivity Software has garnered rave reviews with wireless and Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) experts," said Abeezar Tyebji, the CEO of Shipcom, which is headquartered in Houston. "An alliance with a highly dependable and reputed solutions partner such as Compaq would leverage the core strengths of both organizations to become the leader in the Enterprise Wireless Application Gateway (WAG) market space. The ease of integration of our Multiple Application Connectivity Software complements Compaq's strong Global Services organization, which will serve as an excellent delivery mechanism to deploy and support wireless projects globally."

Jerry Meerkatz, Compaq's vice president and general manager of Enterprise Mobility Solutions, said, "It's all about time and money. The Compaq Wireless Enterprise Framework enables customers to save lots of both. Because it's a pre-integrated pilot package, customers can deploy very quickly—and at a fraction of the normal cost. And because it's highly scalable, the pilot can be expanded into full production."

Compaq'sWireless Enterprise Framework is a six-month pilot program for enterprise customers that want to try out wireless services but don't want to commit to a long-term license. 

For a flat rate of $300,000, the Houston company will provide 50 iPaq Pocket PC devices with wireless cradles and 50 user licenses for wireless middleware that enables access to Lotus Notes or Microsoft Corp.'s Exchange e-mail. Access is also enabled for up to six other database, supply chain management, sales force automation, field service automation or customer relationship management applications. 

The middleware is based on software from Infowave Software Inc. and Shipcom Wireless Inc.; the former specializes in messaging access, while the latter focuses on enterprise applications from Siebel Systems Inc., Oracle Corp. and SAP AG.

Systems integrators already provide services that implement wireless middleware from third-party companies, but customized implementations can cost well over $300,000. On the other hand, supporting a single application with wireless software from the company that made that application may cost significantly less.

"If all you want to do is wirelessly enable mail and messaging, then maybe MIS is the right choice for you. If all a company wants to do is wirelessly enable a Siebel system, then go with Siebel's handheld product," said Richard Stone, Compaq's manager of wireless solutions for North America. "We wanted to provide a piece of wireless middleware that can give you access to everything."  More than that, though, Compaq wants to provide hand-holding. "The market is still in an early stage," Stone said. "Seventy-five percent of the time, I'm just educating a customer rather than trying to sell to them."

The service includes 50 HP Jornada devices and a 60-day license for MIS, including implementation, and costs about $100,000. Customers must pay more for customized services and access to applications beyond Exchange. "A lot of customers are asking, 'Where's the return on investment?'" said Kurt Hetzel, global service manager for HP Consulting, in Mountain View, Calif. "The Express Service is a great way to get their feet wet and to start answering some of the questions that they have."

For More Information :http://www.compaq.com/newsroom/pr/2002/pr2002030701.html

Mobileinfo Comments & Advisory: We want to give kudos to Compaq for promoting this "try it, we are behind you and you will like it" strategy with enterprise customers. We need more one-stop vendors for implementing wireless solutions. $300k price tag (does not include carrier costs) may seem high for 50 iPAQ users but a lot of software and services are involved in this effort for an enterprise. We suggest that there should be several versions of this bundle because medium size business enterprises (MBE's) may find $300K to be a lot of investment to prove the ROI for wireless projects.  

Note: This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Readers should take appropriate caution in developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology architectures.  All trademarks used in this summary are the property of their respective owners.