Aether Systems Unifies Wireless Products, Services With Introduction of New Technology Foundation - Aether Fusion.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

OWINGS MILLS, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 18, 2001

Based on Modular Technology Components & Industry Standards, Aether

Fusion(TM) Enables ROI-Focused Wireless Solutions for the Enterprise

Aether Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: AETH), a leading provider of wireless data products and services, today announced Aether Fusion(TM), a comprehensive wireless technology foundation, designed to provide customers and partners with a reliable, cost-effective and single-source solution to accessing essential data and applications wirelessly.

Aether Fusion unifies a wide array of Aether and industry-standard technology components, which, like building blocks, can be used in a modular fashion to extend existing and future business applications wirelessly to any handheld device over any wireless network.

The company also announced broad support (see related release) for Aether Fusion from leading consulting firms, systems integrators, device manufacturers, wireless carriers and infrastructure providers that have agreed to include Aether Fusion as an integral part of their wireless business strategy and/or offerings.

Initial supporters include Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, Computer Associates International, Inc. (NYSE: CA), JDC Logistics, Inc., Peregrine Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: PRGN), Research in Motion, Ltd. (Nasdaq: RIMM), Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW), Symbol Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: SBL), TIBCO Software Inc. (Nasdaq: TIBX) and Verizon Wireless.

Aether Fusion Technology and Components

Built using the industry-standard Java (TM) 2 platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE(TM)) architecture, Aether Fusion offers scalability, reliability and high performance, providing the foundation for both enterprise and carrier-class solutions.

Aether Fusion incorporates Aether's advanced hosting services, award-winning ScoutWare(TM) family of mobile device synchronization and management software, and its Aether Intelligent Messaging (AIM) data transport layer, which enhances the speed, efficiency and security of data transmission over all wireless networks.

"Since our inception, Aether's goal has been to be the leader and dominant player in wireless data services and solutions for the enterprise. With the launch of Aether Fusion, we are remaining true to this goal by delivering a foundation to unite all facets of Aether's business strategies, services and technologies," said Aether Chairman and CEO Dave Oros. "Aether Fusion is the foundation for flexible, ROI-focused, wireless products and solutions that grow as our customers grow and adapt as their needs change. Aether Fusion will allow our customers to seamlessly add new features and technologies as they become available while insulating themselves from the complexity of wireless infrastructure."

Aether Fusion leverages Aether's technology, products, services and partnerships that combine to deliver wireless and mobile solutions to a vast marketplace including many vertical industries and horizontal services. Aether Fusion is based on a fully integrated, standards-based engineering framework that eases the interoperability of wireless technologies and protocols in complex IT environments.

Aether Fusion represents the natural evolution of wireless and mobile products and services at a time when enterprise and carrier customers are seeking ways to increase return on technology investments while reducing complexity and extending their competitive advantage.

"Wireless complexity is causing a fundamental change in the enterprise wireless marketplace," said Roberta Wiggins, Director of Wireless Services at research agency The Yankee Group. "The rapid proliferation of devices, operating systems, networks, protocols, and point solutions is necessitating the development of integrated platforms that emphasize scalability and address future requirements. Aether Fusion unifies Aether's collection of technologies and services into a modular framework from which a variety of advanced wireless solutions can be mass-produced. It positions Aether as one of the industry's first single-source providers for enterprise wireless data solutions and its modular makeup should further clarify its partnering and acquisition strategy going forward."

Industry and Partner Support

Aether Systems also announced today (see related release) broad support for the Aether Fusion technology foundation from leading technology companies, systems integrators and others.

"Cap Gemini Ernst & Young supports Aether Fusion as an enterprise wireless framework for companies interested in wireless and mobile solutions that drive enhanced business value, competitive advantage, and a rapid return on investment," said Ken Norland, Vice President and CTO, Mobile Commerce Practice of CGE&Y, one of the largest management and IT consulting firms in the world. "Aether Fusion emphasizes flexibility and scalability in complex network infrastructures and we view these characteristics as clear benefits to our clients."

"Built using the scalable, reliable J2EE architecture and deployed on the robust Sun platform, Fusion delivers an open and extensible wireless solution to meet both enterprise and carrier class needs," said Doug Kaewert, Vice President, Sun Developer Network Group at Sun Microsystems, Inc. "Aether's comprehensive offering, as well as its commitment to industry standards, makes it an ideal complement to our wireless services delivery platform."

"Wireless access to enterprise applications will be strategically critical as companies continue to extend their ability to deliver value any time, anywhere," said Jeff Gartner, Vice president of eBusiness Solutions Marketing for Computer Associates International, Inc. "The introduction of the Aether Fusion wireless architecture, combined with their charter participation in our mobile eBusiness initiative, makes Aether a vital partner in CA's effort to help customers quickly achieve ubiquitous connectivity for all their eBusiness constituencies - including customers, suppliers, partners, and employees."

The Business Benefits

Wireless solutions built on Aether Fusion are designed to move beyond the realm of email and personal information management to a focus on return on investment-based wireless initiatives. These goals are achieved through Aether Fusion's unique approach to building wireless solutions.

-- Aether Fusion's modularity increases speed of deployment and pace of
wireless adoption.

-- Aether Fusion's open architecture insulates customers from changes in
technology in an uncertain environment.

-- Aether Fusion's comprehensive capabilities provide customers with a single
wireless vendor, one procurement process, and one point of management.

These features make it possible for enterprises to "go wireless" the right way, giving them the freedom and proficiency to drive an orderly evolution of their wireless solutions. All current products and services, including ScoutWare and AIM, are the basis of Aether Fusion, allowing existing Aether clients to gain the full advantage of the foundation.

Aether will help its clients migrate smoothly to Aether Fusion from current products and solutions.

Aether expects to begin delivering the first solutions based on Aether Fusion during the third quarter of this year. These offerings will be based on hosted solutions and will form the basis for similar, easily repeatable solutions going forward.

Other products and solutions will be produced as Aether Fusion evolves based on wireless needs for Aether's current and new customers and partners.

"Until now, no one has offered such an organized and comprehensive foundation for the evolution of the wireless enterprise," said Larry Roshfeld, Aether Senior Vice President, Software Products. "Unlike the narrowly focused solutions currently being offered by other wireless vendors, Aether Fusion's modular approach enables rapid, simplified and repeatable design and deployment of essentially pre-packaged wireless solutions within the enterprise. This empowers a new breed of wireless workforce, unleashing the enterprise's productivity, creativity, competitiveness and innovation."

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 business world with a single-source for reliable, scalable and cost effective wireless solutions.

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 most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Aether undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun Logo, Java and J2EE are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.