Aberdeen Group Launches Information Appliances Practice; Director Andy Bochman to Lead Group.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 1999--

Aberdeen Group today announced the launch of its Information Appliances practice headed by Director Andy Bochman. The new practice is dedicated to providing a framework for enterprises as they plan for and implement Information Appliance strategies. The appliance-enabled workplace will include not only mainframes, servers, PCs and laptops, but also existing "legacy" devices -- machinery, instruments, sensors and other discrete data-generating devices, as well as new devices -- single-purpose Appliance Servers, two-way pagers, palm-sized and hand-held appliances and smart cell phones, and more.

Few IT professionals -- let alone line-of-business (LOB) decision-makers -- fully understand the ramifications of this upcoming reversal of the trend toward ever-more-complex IT applications and platforms. Information Appliances, which are simplified computing devices such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) or Smart Cell Phones, Internet Connection Appliances like Screen Phones or WebTVs, or Appliance Servers, generally do one particular task very well, while requiring a minimum of overhead and expertise to install and operate. The opportunities these devices present to the enterprise are manifold, including:

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--   Lower total cost of ownership (TCO) and improved reliability with
     the Appliance Servers. The improved TCO is derived from a number
     of factors, including lower acquisition costs, improved
     ease-of-use/administration, reduced operating systems support
     requirements, reduced expertise required to maintain, no per-seat
     network operating license fees, etc. Improved reliability stems
     from overall reduced complexity, optimized software architectures
     and remote management capabilities conducted via browser
     interfaces;

--   More powerful messaging, collaboration, data collection and sales
     force automation (SFA) capabilities made possible with the advent
     of wireless PDAs and increasingly "smart" cell phones;

--   Broadened and improved Internet enterprise and consumer access as
     simpler non-PC appliances make Internet access as easy as turning
     on the television or using the phone.

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According to Bochman, "Companies that have their heads down in 1999 and 2000 may get the basic job done, but they may well miss out on a tremendous opportunity to trim, if not slash, IT platform expenses via the simplified computing proposition brought by Information Appliances. What's more, they may miss out on the collaboration and competitive advantage benefits that wireless devices are delivering for enterprises savvy about mobile Information Appliances."

About Aberdeen Group

Founded in 1988, Aberdeen is an information technology research and consulting organization that closely monitors user needs, technological innovation, and market developments. It focuses its research efforts on the business impact of technology changes. Aberdeen Group has offices in Boston, MA, and Palo Alto, CA.