Be Inc. Unveils First Complete Solution for Internet Appliances with the Introduction of BeIA MAP.Business Editors/High-Tech Writers COMDEX The former, premier computer trade show in the U.S. Although it grew into an end user event, it was originally created for dealers and distributors (it was the COMputer Dealers EXposition). Fall 2000 LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 13, 2000 MAP Offers Device and Service Providers a Unified Point of Access for Managing the Customer Experience Be Incorporated (Nasdaq:BEOS) today introduced the BeIA Management and Administration Platform (MAP) for Internet appliances Also called "information appliance," "smart appliance," and "Web appliance," it is a device specialized for accessing the Web and/or e-mail. Designed for ease of use, it plugs into a telephone jack or LAN connection for Internet hookup. . MAP offers device and service providers a unified suite of applications and services for managing a trouble-free end user experience. People don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. what makes their telephone work, but are confident that they will hear a dial tone when they pick up the receiver. Device and service providers want to offer consumers the same experience with Internet appliances. Be Inc (company) Be Inc - The company that produced the BeBox, founded by Jean-Louis Gassee, former product chief at Apple. . makes this possible. In addition to MAP, Be's complete IA solution includes the BeIA Client Platform and BeIA Integration Services. The Client Platform is comprised of an integrated software package Software that combines several applications in one program, typically providing at least word processing, spreadsheet and database management. Presentation graphics, page layout, paint, calendar, address book, e-mail and other applications may also be included. and set of development tools that enable the creation of Internet appliances with customized capabilities. The Integration Services component provides all the necessary professional expertise and third party relationships required to deploy a targeted end user Internet appliance. Once an appliance is deployed, MAP lets device providers maintain the appliance for end users -- without any end user intervention. Appliance providers can change the user interface, add a new plug-in or media codec (1) (enCOder/DECoder) A hardware circuit that performs analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) and digital-to-analog (DAC) conversion. When analog signals are entered into a computer, cellphone or other device via a microphone or video source such as VHS tape or analog TV, or even update the entire system. All management is done remotely on the server-side in a secure encrypted en·crypt tr.v. en·crypt·ed, en·crypt·ing, en·crypts 1. To put into code or cipher. 2. Computer Science manner. "With consumer adoption of information appliances See Internet appliance. (hardware) Information Appliance - (IA) A consumer device that performs only a few targeted tasks and is controlled by a simple touch-screen interface or push buttons on the device's enclosure. on the rise, service providers will increasingly be required to effectively manage a vast network of such devices," said Bryan Ma, an analyst in IDC's Consumer Devices research program. IDC projects that the worldwide Information Appliance market will reach 89 million units in 2004. MAP is comprised of server-based software components and remote management services that seamlessly interface to manage any BeIA-powered Internet appliance. It includes a range of management services such as options for connectivity, directory services to track user information, content filtering See Web filtering and parental control software. and activity logging. It also enables a range of useful application services See ASP and Web services. like email, document viewing, calendar and personal information management. "A complete Internet appliance solution not only requires the client software that powers the device, but also requires the remote management capabilities of MAP. The remote management and administration of devices, without end user involvement, is a clear point of differentiation between appliances and computers," said Jean-Louis Gassee, chairman and chief executive officer of Be. "Together with Be's Client Platform and Integration Services, MAP lets device and service providers deliver appliances that offer the seamless end user experience of a household appliance on a device with the capabilities of an advanced computer." "BeIA is a complete integrated solution brought together by a single source -- rather than multiple third-party companies. The integration of the technology is tighter, time to market is faster and service providers have more control over determining the features of appliances," said Lamar Potts, vice president of sales and marketing of Be. "MAP works behind the scenes, interceding on the user's behalf to make sure appliances are properly configured con·fig·ure tr.v. con·fig·ured, con·fig·ur·ing, con·fig·ures To design, arrange, set up, or shape with a view to specific applications or uses: . It provides the capability to deliver the latest software and features to the end user's device on an on-going basis." BeIA MAP: The Complete Management and Administration Platform BeIA MAP includes six components: Device Management Server The Device Management Server allows the appliance provider to easily control remote management activities such as registering devices and end users, pushing software updates, querying, granting, or revoking access privileges, and querying device capabilities. Administration Server The Administration Server provides the appliance provider with a web-based interface to administer end user devices. Everything from billing information, device software updates and user access privileges can be examined and modified from a single interface. Multi-tiered security allows master administrators to use the same simple, but powerful interface as customer service representatives. Mastering Station The Mastering Station allows appliance providers to master BeIA software and content releases and to deliver updates to devices. A complete development environment is provided, including local development and testing tools, and web-based tools for administration, validation See validate. validation - The stage in the software life-cycle at the end of the development process where software is evaluated to ensure that it complies with the requirements. and deployment of new releases. The Mastering Station pushes new releases of the Client Platform and appliance provider content to the Platform Database. Devices are updated on demand or periodically while the device is idle. The Mastering Station integrates with the Administration Server to provide a single cohesive cohesive, n the capability to cohere or stick together to form a mass. view of an appliance provider's end users and their devices. Application Server The Application Server provides end users with access to Web-based applications See Web application. . The appliance provider can choose to offer a variety of applications, including e-mail, instant messaging, chat rooms, and personal information management. Each of these services can be branded and customized by the appliance provider. The end user sees a single, cohesive environment. Import Server The Import Server provides many of the same features seen in traditional web proxies, such as activity logging, blocking of sites, and content filtering. It does this with greatly reduced overhead and more flexibility than traditional proxies. It is designed to allow efficient but controlled access to "imported" content, such as content that the vendor does not provide. Authentication Server A device used in network access control. It stores the usernames and passwords that identify the clients logging in, or it may hold the algorithms for token access (see authentication token). The Authentication Server integrates with the systems of major ISPs and backbone providers to give as many access options as possible to appliance providers. Using industry standard protocols, the Authentication Server is capable of controlling access to end user devices. Authentication (1) Verifying the integrity of a transmitted message. See message integrity, e-mail authentication and MAC. (2) Verifying the identity of a user logging into a network. is not dependent upon how an end user obtains Internet service or the service partnerships an appliance provider has already established. Pricing and availability MAP will begin shipping in Q1 2001. Pricing will be customer-specific based on the number of users and level of services offered. About BeIA: The Complete IA Solution BeIA is comprised of the Client Platform, Integration Services and MAP. This integrated package of small footprint The amount of geographic space covered by an object. A computer footprint is the desk or floor surface it occupies. A satellite's footprint is the earth area covered by its downlink. See form factor. 1. client-side software; development, customization and device management tools and services; and key third party services and technology, delivers a complete Internet appliance solution to device and service providers, including consumer electronics companies. About Be Founded in 1990, Be Incorporated creates software solutions that enable rich media and Web experiences on personal computers and Internet appliances. Be's headquarters are in Menlo Park Menlo Park. 1 Residential city (1990 pop. 28,040), San Mateo co., W Calif.; inc. 1874. Electronic equipment and aerospace products are manufactured in the city. Menlo College and a Stanford Univ. research institute are there. 2 Uninc. , Calif., and its European office is in Paris, France. It is publicly traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol BEOS. Be can be found on the Web at http://www.be.com. Forward-Looking Statement forward-looking statement A projected financial statement based on management expectations. A forward-looking statement involves risks with regard to the accuracy of assumptions underlying the projections. The statements contained in this Press Release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" including without limitation plans for product development and release dates, the future availability and performance of Be's products and the benefit of such products to device and service providers, the future availability and performance of third party Internet appliance devices and applications, and the benefit of such devices and applications to end users. Actual events or results may differ materially as a result of risks facing Be Incorporated or actual results differing from the assumptions underlying such statements. Such risks and assumptions include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to product development, continued availability of third party devices and applications, our ability to establish and maintain strategic relationships, the competition and market acceptance of BeIA, and our ability to meet customer and developer demands. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety The whole, in contradistinction to a moiety or part only. When land is conveyed to Husband and Wife, they do not take by moieties, but both are seised of the entirety. by the "Risk Factors" and other cautionary statements included in Be Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. for the year ended December 31, 1999, and other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
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