Air2Web Supports Offline Application Access for RIM, Palm and J2ME, Extends Global Messaging, and Enhances Development Environment to Support XHTML and Java.

Business Editors

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 2002

Air2Web is launching the 5.0 version of its Mobile Internet Platform.

With this release, Air2Web has incorporated new enhancements to further enable corporate employees to work in or out of network coverage so that they can receive and process critical information whenever and wherever they are with multiple digital, wireless devices. The platform also incorporates new features for the delivery of messages globally, as well the ability to develop mobile applications using JAVA and XHTML.

Air2Web Mobile Internet Platform v5.0 Highlights:

Thick Client Framework. The Mobile Internet Platform (MIP), previously focused on deploying message and browser-based applications, now supports the development of rich, client-side applications for Palm, RIM, and J2ME. These applications can be used in or out of network coverage. The run-time environment is loaded once on the PDA or smart-phone and can be updated over the air. New "forms" (such as trouble-tickets, delivery assignments, inventory updates, field service calls) are pulled over the air and can be worked on in or out of coverage. Completed "forms" are cached and queued when out of coverage and are sent back to corporate when coverage is again available.

For example, a bottler might use this technology to facilitate the route delivery process. Using RIM, wireless Palm or J2ME phones, drivers would receive their delivery assignments at the beginning of the day. If additional deliveries are needed, these would be sent at the time they are assigned. The driver would work from a delivery form for each drop-off and would fill in key information including total amount of goods delivered, time of delivery, person signing for order, etc. These forms are available to the driver regardless of network coverage availability and can be stored and sent once the device is back in coverage.

Globalization of Message Delivery. With this release, multiple installations of the Mobile Internet Platform can now connect to and take advantage of carrier connectivity established by any other installation of the platform. Today, the MIP is installed in Atlanta, Tokyo and Chenai (India). Each installation has established connectivity to multiple carriers in that region. This means that the Atlanta platform can now route messages through the Tokyo or Chenai platform reaching far more carriers and countries than it could independently. This is also true in reverse. In the future, with additional instances of the platform around the world, Air2Web will be able to selectively route messages using cost or network congestion as guiding factors. This feature is currently being used by Air2Web India for the customer, Times of India. They are sending ex-patriots of India, who are living abroad in United States and Canada, instant news and sports information via Short Message Service (SMS) alerts on any digital, wireless phone.

Support for XHTML and JAVA. Air2Web has enhanced the MIP to support XHTML and integrate with Java through a Java API. This move underscores Air2Web's commitment to open standards development environments and supports corporate investments in Java and XHTML skill sets.

Support for Sybase's iAnywhere database. Air2Web has lowered the total cost of the solution stack required for the enterprise edition of The Mobile Internet Platform by supporting Sybase's iAnywhere database as an alternative to the more expensive Oracle database software, while still providing a highly scalable and reliable infrastructure.

"Giving a field force the ability to work on critical applications while offline enhances the mobile employee's productivity and generates better customer service, which ultimately improves the company's bottom line," said Sanjoy Malik, president and CEO of Air2Web. "Additionally, enhancing our global message delivery system enables us to better meet the requirements of our multinational customers such as UPS, Six Continents Hotels and Times of India. We have gone to great lengths with this new platform version to build in functionality that serves the current and future needs of our customers, in addition to leveraging the incredible capabilities of new PDAs and thick client devices."

About Air2Web

Air2Web is a privately held company based in Atlanta and focused exclusively on wirelessly extending corporate data, back-end information systems, and Web site content to mobile users. Air2Web's Mobile Internet Platform enables customers to create, deploy and deliver enterprise applications to their customers and employees using any digital wireless device. Air2Web has over 70 deployments in production with blue-chip clients providing wireless enabled financial applications, critical field force applications, customer relationship management, M-commerce and subscription-based content services. These deployments account for over 240,000 mobile subscribers generating over 8.4 million application accesses per month. In addition, our wireless applications span 30 countries and 27 languages, underscoring Air2Web's leadership in functionality, scalability and global capabilities. Customers include companies such as Delta Employees Credit Union, ADC Telecommunications, Lexmark International, eBay, Best Western International, UPS, Holiday Inn, Intercontinental and Crowne Plaza hotels, the Weather Channel, and CBS SportsLine. For more information about Air2Web, please visit http://www.air2web.com.