SEAGULL (AEX: SEAGULL), a leading provider of e-business enabling solutions, announced today its strategy for the wireless Internet marketplace, which includes its new Wireless-to-Host(TM) Solution, release 2.0, for providing realtime access to mission-critical enterprise business applications from wireless devices.
For example, using SEAGULL's Wireless-to-Host Solution an organization can, within days, enable its mobile sales professionals to access its back-office order entry application via Internet-enabled wireless devices; thus streamlining the sales process, enhancing customer service, and cutting infrastructure and process costs. There are many applied uses for connecting wireless Internet devices to enterprise applications including banking, stock portfolio management, time and attendance for mobile workers, courier and trucking processes, and realtime inventory monitoring and replenishment.
In addition to the new product release, SEAGULL's strategy for addressing the wireless marketplace includes partnerships, R&D efforts with key customers including ALLTEL, IBS and American Software and participation in industry forums.
"SEAGULL's Wireless-to-Host Solution is designed to help organizations open up back-office business applications and extend them to the digital economy's latest access devices such as wireless phones and PDAs," said Don Addington, president of SEAGULL's Americas operations. "At SEAGULL we focus on making anytime, anywhere, realtime access to corporate business processes and content fast and cost-effective, and we're excited about the opportunity to help our customers capitalize on this important wireless Internet movement."
SEAGULL initially announced support for wireless Internet devices in the context of its industry-leading Web/Windows(R)-to-host products J Walk(TM) and WinJa(TM). Since late 1999, SEAGULL has been working on joint research and development projects with several customers, including corporate IS shops and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), across multiple industries to develop and test wireless demos. Results of the research efforts have been positive and have yielded Wireless-to-Host Solution, a separate server-based product offering that does not require J Walk or WinJa. J Walk and WinJa are SEAGULL's strategic offerings to support Java/browser and Windows GUI access to enterprise applications via the wired Internet. Customers who need wireless access will now license only Wireless-to-Host Solution.
Using SEAGULL's Wireless-to-Host Solution
SEAGULL's new Wireless-to-Host Solution successfully takes enterprise application access to the next level for existing and new SEAGULL customers. For example, MEXX, a leading European clothing brand, has selected the solution as part of its global e-business strategy for providing employees and business partners, including shops which sell MEXX fashion products, with realtime wireless access to MEXX business systems.
Among the many customers who plan to exploit opportunities to be more competitive through wireless Internet enablement are five organizations who have participated in joint research and development projects with SEAGULL including ALLTEL, International Rectifier, AMX International, IBS, and American Software.
ALLTEL's Information Services division, which targets the financial, mortgage and telecommunications industries, has built a demo using the SEAGULL's Wireless-to-Host Solution that offers its customers access to banking functions via wireless devices. For example, the offerings allow banking customers to check account balances and transfer funds using Internet-connected handheld wireless devices.
"SEAGULL has consistently brought new technology solutions and functionality to market even before customers demand them," said Gary Norcross, senior vice president and general manager of ALLTEL's community bank market segment. "The wireless effort we have with SEAGULL is enabling fast development of a wireless Internet banking application."
SEAGULL and electronic component manufacturer International Rectifier co-developed a wireless implementation of International Rectifier's ERP applications for deployment as a wireless solution. International Rectifier can now provide its internal and external users with wireless access to enterprise application functions, such as shipment tracking and sales analysis, via a mobile phone and Palm VII.
"SEAGULL's wireless-enabling technologies are changing the way information is presented and accessed, allowing us to extend to handheld wireless devices the same access to our host applications that we're currently providing through PC-based Web browsers," said Niel Armstrong, International Rectifier's vice president of global information technology.
In addition, SEAGULL is developing wireless solutions with AMX International, a hi-tech consulting company that targets the J. D. Edwards installed base; and enterprise application vendors American Software, IBS, and Unit 4; all of which see the potential benefits of realtime wireless Internet access to mission-critical information and processes.
SEAGULL Wireless-to-Host Solution
The SEAGULL Wireless-to-Host Solution includes a Developer's Kit, Wireless Server and optional Wireless Professional Services. This solution is ideal for customers who want to provide realtime wireless access to specific enterprise application processes. The SEAGULL solution supports any Internet-enabled wireless phone and Internet-enabled PDA, such as Palm VII and Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Powered Pocket PC.
Release 2.0 of SEAGULL's Wireless-to-Host Solution is planned to ship in June, 2000. Pricing for the new solution is server-based, starting at approximately $30,000.
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