News
Issue #2002 - 38 (October 2002)
(Updated Oct. 8, 2002)

APPLICATIONS & DEVELOPMENT

@Hand Corporation Releases New Mobile Applications & Version 3.0 of M-Tier Server

AUSTIN, Texas---October 3, 2002-- @hand Corporation™, a vendor delivering mobile applications that work in both connected and disconnected environments, today announced the availability of vertically-integrated and process-centric applications designed for mission-critical mobile workers. MRO@hand™, Service@hand™, Logistics@hand™, Cargo@hand™ and Sales@hand™ were released today to improve workforce productivity, reduce mobile business costs and achieve competitive advantage for @hand customers. 

@hand's new mobile applications operate continuously in connectivity- and security-challenged environments such as airports, public utility sites, military installations and remote service areas. Industry leaders in transportation and utilities are currently extending existing enterprise systems with @hand solutions. 

Mobile Applications
Business and technology requirements for @hand's new mobile applications were driven by the company's solution experience within the transportation and utilities industries and in working with government agencies. These new applications leverage enhancements made to @hand's M-Tier Server mobile technology architecture.

New mobile applications released include:

• MRO@hand- Automates maintenance, repair & overhaul processes for faster equipment and machinery maintenance turn-around times;
• Service@hand - Improves access to enterprise-based information resulting in greater field productivity for teams of remote technicians;
• Logistics@hand- Extends existing business systems and third-party logistic applications to mobile logistics teams;
• Cargo@hand- Delivers automated functionality to enhance cargo workflow processes and on-time delivery of shipments; and,
• Sales@hand- Automates delivery of sales, customer and promotional information to remote sales professionals.

@hand's mobile solutions are based on customer best practices found in industries that require tailored applications and that leverage existing workflow processes. Each @hand application is designed to quickly integrate with a complex enterprise environment, deploy to users in less than 90 days and deliver significant measurable business returns within the first year of use.

M-Tier Server Version 3.0
Version 3.0 of @hand's enterprise mobile software architecture M-Tier Server was also released. M-Tier Server 3.0 is the foundation for all @hand mobile applications and customer solutions. M-Tier Server enhancements were driven by increasing market demand for true enterprise-class mobile solutions and on-site work experiences with customers such as American Airlines, Allegheny Power and Rental Service Corporation.

"M-Tier Server 3.0 was designed to fulfill the growing needs of existing @hand customers and to deliver greater flexibility in working with solution partners. This enhanced version of the M-Tier Server delivers on demanding requirements including processing millions of transactions an hour, effectively integrating with enterprise systems such as SAP® in less than 60 days and meeting the stringent security requirements of today's customers" said @hand CTO Mike Loos. "M-Tier Server 3.0 is ready to tackle production and integration issues found in the most complex enterprise environments."

About @hand Corporation
@hand Corporation delivers mobile work management solutions that produce multi-million dollar results for leading transportation companies, utilities and government agencies. @hand partners with customers and industry experts to create measurable business enhancements through powerful combinations of workflow process knowledge, complex integration and speed. @hand solutions are tailored to meet the needs of mission-critical workers transacting business in connectivity-challenged environments that require high levels of security.

MobileInfo Comments and Advisory:  @Hand has been providing, for the past couple of years, an application development environment that is based on utilizing development components from Microsoft and its own tool set. It is now upgrading this environment by offering functional modules that are specific to a business process where application designers spend a lot of time. Experienced developers recognize that coding is only one and not a major part of application development effort. It is the business process analysis,  business logic and user interface that is time-consuming. If you offer modules that can be customized to a specific customer's business process, you take away the effort spent in the process analysis. We feel that @Hand is on the right track. 

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.