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Palm Aligns With Leading Providers of Mobile Field Sales SolutionsCompany Launches Initiative to Define and Drive Growth of Enterprise SolutionsSANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 6 -- Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM - news) today launched a mobile field sales initiative with key enterprise software providers and systems integrators that brings new handheld solutions to the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) market. New enterprise solutions have been and continue to be developed by market leaders E.piphany (Nasdaq: EPNY - news), FrontRange Solutions Inc., Interact Commerce Corporation, International Design and Construction Online (e- IDC.com), Pivotal Corporation, Remedy, and Sales.com. These solutions include wireless and native handheld applications that provide mobile professionals with the vital information they need to enhance their effectiveness in the field.Market research firm IDC projects that the U.S. mobile and remote-worker population will grow from 39 million in 2000 to 55 million in 2004, a 41 percent growth rate. Field sales professionals comprise the largest percentage of this remote-worker population. ``Field force automation providers must rapidly extend their enterprise capable systems to enable mobile computing devices, including the large installed base of handhelds,'' said Jack Gold, vice president, META Group. ``As enterprises migrate to an increasingly mobile workforce, with many more professionals in the field, competitive advantage will go to the companies that provide comprehensive and nimble applications that span the entire mobile device spectrum.'' Innovative companies, such as Countrywide Home Loans, Citizen Watch, Fiat Credit Finance, Michelin, and Webvan, are realizing the benefits of broadly deployed mobile field sales solutions using Palm Powered(TM) handheld computers. ``Using Palm(TM) handhelds to deliver time-sensitive loan data at the precise moment of need, without being intrusive to the sales process, has given Countrywide's sales agents the ability to build solid relationships with their customers and business partners,'' said Kevin Lavalle, senior vice president, Retail eBusiness Solutions Group, Countrywide Home Loans. In order to facilitate the adoption of handheld computing solutions in the enterprise, Palm initiated its Enterprise Alliance Program (EAP), which includes systems integrators, professional services providers and consulting firms. Palm's EAP partners ensure the availability of comprehensive business solutions and provide Palm's enterprise customers with resources necessary for solution implementation and handheld computer deployments within companies of all sizes. Today, many Palm EAP partners offer solution adoption consulting services for mobile field sales and CRM applications. These crucial project planning and implementation services offered by Palm EAP partners are vital to the integration of mobile field solutions into an overall business infrastructure. ``Through our relationships with these market leaders, we have positioned ourselves to continue as the leading handheld solution provider for the enterprise,'' said Dan Glessner, director of marketing for Palm's Business and Government division. ``Enabling a sales professional to have up-to-the-minute product information and access to e- mail or allowing a relationship manager to have remote access to account history are critical next steps for companies to obtain increased efficiency and productivity in the mobile workforce.'' Palm Handheld and Palm Powered Mobile Field Sales Solutions E.piphany E.5 for Wireless: The E.piphany E.5 for Wireless solution extends E.piphany's customer interaction software solution to mobile workers, providing executives, managers, marketers and customers real-time business information in the field. E.piphany's support for the wireless channel creates another inbound and outbound touchpoint that enables companies to build and maintain strong customer relationships. GoldMine® Everywhere Server: This solution by FrontRange Solutions Inc. was developed for the Palm VII series handhelds. The GoldMine Everywhere Server allows users to update critical customer data immediately, offering field sales professionals a fast and accurate CRM solution. International Design and Construction Online (e-IDC.com): e-IDC will work with Palm to bring wireless technology to the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. e-IDC.com will serve as the web-based AEC vendor by hosting and supporting the use of tools, content and services on Palm handhelds. Pivotal Anywhere: Pivotal Anywhere is an XML-based mobile solution that allows employees to conduct demand-side processes -- marketing, sales, service and support -- with speed and intelligence. The solution helps companies to capitalize on revenue opportunities faster than their competitors. Remedy Sales Continuum® for Palm Powered Handhelds: This soon-to-be-released solution will combine Palm OS® platform operating constructs and existing Sales Continuum elements to provide mobile professionals the ability to synchronize critical sales information and tools from their handhelds to the desktop. SalesLogix for Palm Powered Handhelds: Available today, and at no additional cost, SalesLogix, a leading mid-market CRM solution by Interact Commerce, gives users access to live account, contact and opportunity information. Users can add new accounts, add notes to current accounts, update activities, and coordinate multiple calendars through the easy-to-use interface enabling excellent customer interactions. SalesLogix for Palm Powered handhelds gives business professionals access to the customer information they need from the wirelessly enabled Palm Powered handheld of their choice. Palm Enterprise Alliance Program Partners Alliance Consulting http://www.alliance-consulting.com Alliance utilizes its Assemble-to-Order Engagement Teams(TM) to architect and implement digital enterprise strategies for its clients. Alliance's Wireless Practice specializes in the custom integration of Palm OS enabled solutions with enterprise systems, custom development using its unique 5th Dimension methodology, enterprise rollout management with Asset Management Software and Mobile Commerce solutions. Alliance serves the United States through eight major markets: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington D.C. Analysts International http://www.analysts.com Analysts International's m-Business solutions assist organizations in the transformation of their corporate environment into an extended virtual enterprise. This is accomplished by providing the capability of supporting highly mobile, geographically dispersed workforces requiring rapid access to business information wherever they are. Bear River Associates, Inc. http://www.bearriver.com Bear River Associates, Inc., located in Oakland, Calif., is a provider of enterprise mobile computing solutions, products and services. Founded in 1985, Bear River specializes in developing high-value information systems for specific industries and applications. Bear River's professional services division provides experienced software engineering and project management services to deliver quality results. Bear River products include the award-winning Star Receiver for package track-n-trace and the epeg construction diary system for construction field data collection. Braxton Butterfield Consulting, Inc. http://www.bbcg.com Braxton Butterfield Consulting, Inc. is a Provider of Extended Enterprise Application Development Services and Technology Support, providing professional services specializing in system integration. Braxton Butterfield Consulting provides its clients with the cutting-edge technology, deep industry experience, and strategic knowledge to help its customers create and maintain production-quality business systems. By combining Technology Practice Areas, such as Palm OS, Satellite Forms, Code Warrior, Oracle, Oracle Lite, DB2 DB2 Anywhere, SQL Anywhere, WebLogic, SilverStream, IBM WebSphere, Java and Network Management, with Business Practice Areas, such as entertainment, sales automation, manufacturing, distribution, and inventory control, Braxton Butterfield is able to create innovative high-ROI solutions for all its clients' business challenges. Ciber, Inc. http://www.ciber.com Ciber, Inc. is a trusted technology leader transforming businesses to be agile, scalable and connected. Backed by 26 years of information technology consulting, Ciber provides thought leadership in Internet solutions to Global 2000 and rapidly scaling companies and governments through its National Practices -- Strategy and Enterprise Integration, and Outsourcing. Based in Englewood, Colo., the company's 4,500 consultants serve client businesses from 35 Ciber offices in the United States. Condor Technology Solutions, Inc. http://www.condorweb.com Condor Technology Solutions, Inc. is a provider of full-service information technology solutions to Fortune 1000 firms, middle-market companies and government entities. It offers complementary consulting, project management, and helpdesk support spanning the implementation. Condor's solutions for the Palm handheld extend the enterprise system leveraging the power of the mobile workforce. Datanational Corporation http://www.datanat.com Datanational Corporation is an IBM AS/400 Premier Business Partner, Lotus Business Partner, and an associate in Palm's Enterprise Alliance Program. Since its incorporation in 1979, Datanational has applied expertise, creativity, vision and innovation to businesses throughout North America. The company's certifications and hands- on experience in Lotus Notes and Domino, IBM WebSphere, and other E-Commerce solutions enable it to develop complete solutions for its customers. Datanational can help companies mobilize any business process that involves collecting information into a relational database, a transaction system, or an ERP application. I3solutions http://www.i3solutions.com I3solutions is a leading provider of end-to-end consulting and eBusiness solution services. I3solutions builds a unique partnership with its clients to provide strategy, business process analysis, consulting and development services, resulting in maximized ROI and unmatched customer satisfaction. IBM http://www.ibm.com IBM Global Services (IGS) has extended enterprise and web solutions to the Palm OS platform. IGS can offer a total solution that ranges from the consulting services that advise the customer on strategic business changes, through multi-tier application development, to the running of the new solution at an IBM server farm. IBM sees the extension of e-business to devices such as Palm Powered handhelds as the next step in the Internet revolution. Impact Innovations Group http://www.impactinnovations.com Impact Innovations Group leverages strategy, technology and talent to deliver innovative business solutions for vertical industries, including energy, financial services, telecommunications and government. The Technology Solutions division provides IT and business strategy, development, systems integration, and IT outsourcing. Privately held and VC-backed, Impact Innovations has its headquarters in Atlanta, with offices in Dallas; Richmond, Va.: Columbia, Md.; and the Washington DC metro area. Inforte http://www.inforte.com Inforte's Mobile Solutions practice provides organizations with the opportunity to implement and expand their mobile computing capabilities, offering new channels of interaction and enabling new mobile-based business models. Through a unique mStrategy diagnostic, Inforte provides comprehensive strategic and technology planning for a company's mobile computing initiatives that bring about significant business value and competitive advantage. Together with Palm, Inforte will design and implement wireless, handheld, and voice-based mobile solutions as part of an overall end-to-end solutions architecture, ensuring that the mobile channel is seamlessly connected with all other customer, partner, and employee interaction channels. About Palm, Inc. Palm, Inc. is a pioneer in the field of mobile and wireless Internet solutions and a leading provider of handheld computers (source: IDC, December 1999). Based on the Palm OS platform, Palm's handheld solutions allow people to carry and access their most critical information with them wherever they go. Palm handhelds address the needs of individuals, enterprises and educational institutions through thousands of application solutions. The Palm OS platform is also the foundation for products from Palm's licensees and strategic partners, such as Cresenda Wireless; ePocrates, Inc.; Franklin Covey; Handspring; IBM; Sony; Symbol Technologies; and TRG. Platform licensees also include Kyocera and Nokia. Palm went public on March 2, 2000. Its stock is traded on the Nasdaq national market under the symbol PALM. More information is available at http://www.palm.com Editorial Contact: Kristina Ford Interact Commerce Corp 480/444-1317 kford@interactcommerce.com top of page |
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