Aether Systems Partners with Mobile Automation Inc. to Bring Wireless Systems Management to Mobile Government Fleets.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 2001

Mobile Automation(TM) by Aether(TM) Will Allow Government Agencies to

Simplify Software Updates and Large File Transfers Over WANs or LANs

Mobile Automation Inc., a leading provider of management solutions for desktop systems and mobile & wireless devices, Monday announced a partnership with Aether Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: AETH), that allow government agencies to perform systems management, software updates and file transfers for mobile fleets remotely.

By eliminating the need to "touch every vehicle" for software updates and file exchanges, Mobile Automation(TM) by Aether(TM) will reduce the cost of deploying software to mobile government workers and allow immediate access to critical applications and time-sensitive information.

Under terms of the agreement, Aether will be the primary distributor of MAI's Mobile Automation 2000 product in several markets within federal, state and local government, including Public Safety, Public Works, Health & Human Services, Inspection and Compliance.

Using Mobile Automation(TM) by Aether(TM), the remote software update process is transparent to users of Aether's wireless applications, allowing the mobile application environment to remain exactly the same throughout the wireless update process.

For example, from one central administrative point, a public safety agency could roll out a new version of the wireless query and messaging application Aether PacketCluster(R) Patrol(TM) to a fleet of 500 vehicles. The customer's system administrator self-manages the installation and verifies the process at their own pace, with no interruption of workflow in the field.

Improvements in Systems Management and End-User Productivity

Agencies will reduce their previous dependence on internal and external resources for a wide range of systems management tasks. For example, administrators can schedule and automate important system-wide jobs such as virus definition updates, which is especially relevant for large fleets where users create large updated data files frequently.

And for long-range planning, the Mobile Automation(TM) by Aether(TM) hardware and software asset tracking capability will allow agencies to more efficiently perform hardware upgrades and software license management.

File transfer capabilities in Mobile Automation(TM) by Aether(TM) also improve end-user productivity. For example, agencies can upload critical field data such as digital images from accident scenes more efficiently. Additionally, support of any wireless IP environment allows users to receive critical updates over wide area networks such as CDPD or local area networks such as 802.11b.

Agencies using Mobile Automation(TM) by Aether(TM) will also benefit from:

-- Customization capabilities, allowing agencies to specify department-specific
rules or to establish user-initiated download centers for optional software
packages;

-- Application self-healing to prevent downtime in the field;

-- The ability to create inventories of software installation histories and
locations o File and data back-up for mobile units.

"Our partnership with Mobile Automation is another example of Aether's commitment to simplify how government agencies do their jobs," said David Rosi, corporate vice president of Aether's mobile government division.

"In government today, timeliness is everything. By expediting the process of updating and transferring applications and files moving over wireless networks, we're making it easier for government to be more productive and efficient."

"Mobile Automation is both pleased and proud to have Aether Systems as a business partner," said Douglas Neal, president and chief executive officer of Mobile Automation Inc. "Mobile Automation technology was designed from the ground up to handle the communication complexity of wireless and wired environments from a single, enterprise scalable architecture.

"Aether Systems has the knowledge and experience to implement our technology within a wide range of market segments that have demands for improved device management."

About Mobile Automation

MAI develops mobile systems management solutions that extend IT's reach beyond traditional LAN-based tools. Founded in April 1997, Mobile Automation Inc. provides award-winning tools for controlling software distribution, application management, and system configurations on the key mobile platforms: Windows 95/98/NT PCs, Windows CE, and Palm OS.

For more information regarding the company and its products, please contact us at: 310/914-9603, [e-mail] or www.mobileautomation.com.

About Aether Systems Inc.

Aether Systems helps enterprise customers improve efficiency and profitability by providing the services, software and support necessary to extend existing and future business applications from the desktop to any wireless device.

Through Aether Fusion(TM), Aether's wireless enabling technology foundation, Aether develops, deploys and manages wireless solutions built on industry standard technology and backed by Aether's expertise in wireless hosting, software and services. Aether provides the worlds of business and government with a single source for reliable, scalable and cost effective wireless solutions.

For more information, please visit www.aethersystems.com.

All product names and logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Aether Systems Inc., and Mobile Automation Inc., unless stated otherwise.

This press release includes forward-looking statements based on current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions about Aether that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements.

Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability of Aether to successfully develop the products and services described in this release. These risks and other risk factors are described in Aether's report on Form 10-K with respect to the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2000 and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Aether undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.