Companies Deliver Leading Server Synchronization and Management Solutions For Windows CE-Based Palm-Size and Handheld PCs to Enterprise Customers REDMOND, Wash., and BOISE, Idaho - Nov. 15, 1999 - Microsoft Corp. and Extended Systems Inc., maker of the award-winning XTNDConnect Server (formerly known as ASL-Connect), today announced a relationship with the objective of increasing customer access to secure, server-based synchronization and management solutions. Microsoft and Extended Systems will work together in a number of areas, including joint marketing and distribution efforts as well as technical collaboration for future products. This relationship marks both companies' commitment to deliver improved device management solutions for corporate IT and better synchronization of business data for mobile knowledge workers.
Mobile professionals will now have direct access to their data anywhere, any time and with all the management and deployment tools administrators need to make it a viable solution for critical line-of-business data. XTNDConnect Server provides secure data access directly to Microsoft® Exchange or Lotus Notes/Domino Servers and ODBC-compliant databases such as Microsoft SQL Server™, Sybase, Oracle, DB2 and others. In addition, the remote server monitor management tools integrate into the Microsoft Management Console, enabling an integrated management solution for the latest Microsoft BackOffice® family and Windows® 2000 operating system environments.
"We chose Extended Systems because of the breadth and flexibility of its solutions; the server-based synchronization in XTNDConnect Server complements our ActiveSync® 3.0 desktop synchronization, giving us the broadest and most flexible offering available to sync a PDA to critical data," said Rogers Weed, director, Productivity Appliances Division, Microsoft. "Enterprise IT managers need to have one solution for all devices - both the Windows CE platform and competitive organizers - so, after review, we selected Extended Systems for its best-of-breed solution."
Try and Buy Offer
To celebrate this relationship and the upcoming release of XTNDConnect Server version 2.3, Extended Systems will offer a 25-seat license for Windows CE-based Palm-size PCs and Handheld PCs (H/PCs) to sync with Microsoft Exchange Server, including all the management tools, at no charge1. This special license will allow companies to deploy XTNDConnect Server 2.3 with Microsoft Exchange Server to support synchronization with up to 25 Windows CE-based Palm-size and Handheld PCs at no cost2, representing a savings of over $6,000. To qualify for the offer companies need to have purchased a Palm-size or Handheld PC3. This offer is available today for free Web download via a link on http://www.microsoft.com/windowsce/enterprise/ (connect-time charges may apply).
In addition, for 60 days, companies will be able to test and deploy the entire XTNDConnect Server solution encompassing Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes and ODBC server sync to Windows CE-based and/or Palm operating system-based clients, with all the management tools and encryption technologies needed to run a full trial environment4. Following the 60-day trial, customers can continue using the software to manage and sync 25 Windows CE-based devices to Exchange Server. Customers that require Notes, ODBC, Palm OS sync, encryption or more than 25 seats after the 60 days will be able to contact Extended Systems directly for licensing options by calling (800) 235-7576. More information is available on the Web at http://www.extendedsystems.com/go/server/.
Microsoft and Extended Systems are creating a support alliance to provide support for copies of the software downloaded from the Microsoft Web site5.
"We have been using XTNDConnect Server for 18 months to synchronize Windows CE-based devices with Lotus Notes," said Bob Waterfield, desktop service manager at British Airways. "The XTNDConnect Server has not only allowed our users to synchronize locally in the office, but has also provided the capability to synchronize remotely when working away from the office. Another important feature with which we are particularly pleased is the management capability to monitor mobile devices."
Because Windows CE-based devices include built-in industry-standard CompactFlash Technology (CF), there is no need for expensive LAN cradles to maintain connection to the network. Mobile professionals can choose the fastest connectivity available to them - via wireless device, modem or LAN. CF modems, LAN cards and cellular phones are available from a range of suppliers, allowing the user or the corporation to have flexibility and choice of supplier for connectivity. In addition, CF components are a good investment for corporate IT because they are an industry-standard technology and can be used in other devices or any PC with a PC card slot.
XTNDConnect Server provides IT managers with a complete solution for integrating Windows CE-based devices into the enterprise. It also includes the necessary tools to securely integrate and support these devices in the corporate environment. "Our relationship with Microsoft is testimony that Extended Systems has the solutions that corporations can depend on for their mobile information management needs," said Steve Simpson, CEO and president, Extended Systems "We envision Windows CE-based devices being increasingly used as strategic platforms for deployment of mission-critical applications."
XTNDConnect Server 2.3 will include the following:
1. The Try and Buy offer is open to North America only; updates for further international availability will be referenced on the offer Web site.
2. The Try and Buy offer is a license for server sync capability to licensed servers only. Customers must ensure that they are in compliance with the client access, or other licensing procedures of their server product vendor e.g., Lotus Notes, any ODBC database, Microsoft Exchange or the Windows NT® Server operating system.
3. The Try and Buy offer plan includes a limit of one 25-seat license per company. Companies with multiple Server locations qualify for one 25-seat license per site with over 50 full-time staff.
4. The 60-day evaluation version includes all the functionality in XTNDConnect Server version 2.3. At the close of the 60-day period, as reflected in the End User License Agreement, the license to trial for Lotus Notes, Domino, ODBC, Palm OS and Certicom functionality will expire. Microsoft and Extended Systems intend that the license to trial Microsoft Exchange Server Sync and Windows CE, including XTNDConnect Server management tools, will convert to a full license for the seats in use, up to a limit of 25.
5. Extended Systems plans to directly support customers downloading and installing the XTNDConnect Server before Dec.15, 1999. Microsoft plans to have support offerings available as of Dec. 15, 1999.
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