Cerulean Wireless Mobile Software Seen as Potential Solution to Problem of Racial Profiling.

Business/Technology Editors

ROSEMONT, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 27, 2000

Aether's Mobile Government Company Cerulean is Only Wireless

Mobile Vendor to Present at Racial Profiling Symposium Sponsored by

Northwestern Center for Public Safety

Cerulean Technology, a leading provider of wireless mobile software in the public sector, outlined this week how wireless mobile technology can address the problem of racial profiling, as part of the Racial Profiling Symposium organized here by the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety. Cerulean's wireless mobile product line for public safety is part of the mobile government unit of Aether Systems, a leading provider of wireless data products and services.

More than 400 members of the law enforcement, legal, public policy and academic communities heard Cerulean CEO Bob Badavas discuss the company's plans to build new functionality into its wireless mobile product line to address the problem of racial profiling, often defined as the unlawful targeting of minority groups at traffic stops and other incidents.

"The common theme throughout the Symposium was that data collection and reporting are essential tools required to address the problem of racial profiling," said Badavas.

"Instant access to information, and the ability to quickly report on and analyze that information, is a powerful tool," said Badavas. "With it, law enforcement can easily comply with new racial profiling legislation, while at the same time performing quick data analysis that makes sure that decision-making at incidents is based on facts, not hunches."

Cerulean's existing mobile data product line, in use at more than 700 agencies around the country, makes it possible for law enforcement personnel to access, collect and report on critical information instantly. This allows police departments to employ more effective policing procedures, enhancing community relations as well as the safety and productivity of officers.

Additional functionality that will be built into Cerulean's product line to address racial profiling legislation will make it possible to ensure that consistent and accurate information is collected at every traffic stop. The flexibility of Cerulean's mobile field reporting technology will allow this new functionality to easily adapt to emerging racial profiling requirements.

In addition, Cerulean's broad capabilities to store collected information in back-end data repositories provides a new and unique venue for data analysis and reporting back to the community on racial profiling trends. Agencies can build renewed trust with communities by using these capabilities to identify and act on patterns of behavior. For example, the technology could be used to identify if an officer might be targeting a particular group, making it easier for his or her superiors to take corrective action.

"We envision making each traffic stop a computer-aided dispatch, or CAD, incident," continued Badavas. "That establishes control and ensures complete data collection before the incident can be closed. In this way, law enforcement agencies can take proactive steps to address problems before they accelerate into divisive community issues. In short, implementing this technology is a `win-win' that levels the playing field and helps to diffuse the potential negative impact of a national issue that everyone can agree needs to be addressed."

Alexander Weiss, director of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, commented, "This event showed clearly that progressive thinkers in the law enforcement community are taking steps to address this issue, and have gone beyond debating perception/reality about racial profiling. Smart use of data and information is a key to overcoming this problem, and Cerulean's ability to deliver instant, wireless access and reporting of that information represents an important part of the solution."

At the Symposium, Cerulean discussed how the company plans to seamlessly integrate new product functionality into its existing wireless mobile product line. More than 45,000 individuals and 700 public safety agencies use Cerulean's mobile data products. As the mobile government unit of Aether Systems, Cerulean also plans to offer additional wireless mobile applications to meet the needs of other segments of the public sector, across federal, state and local agencies.

About Cerulean Technology, Inc.

Marlborough, Mass.-based Cerulean Technology, Inc., is the leader in wireless application solutions for mobile workforces in public safety. More than 45,000 users at 700 public safety agencies use Cerulean software to keep neighborhoods and streets safer across the United States. Cerulean's PacketCluster represents the de facto standard in public safety mobile applications. As part of its Mobile Government strategy, Cerulean plans to offer additional wireless mobile applications to meet the needs of other segments of the public sector, across federal, state and local agencies. Cerulean's products are sold through a direct sales force and a network of worldwide business partners. For more information, visit Cerulean's Web site at www.cerulean.com or call 1-800-400-6311.

About Aether Systems

Aether Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of wireless and mobile data products and services allowing real-time communications and transactions across a full range of devices and networks. Using its engineering expertise, the ScoutWare(TM) family of products including the Aether Intelligent Messaging (AIM) software platform, and its network operations and customer care center, Aether seeks to provide comprehensive, technology-independent wireless and mobile computing solutions. Aether develops and delivers wireless data services across a variety of industries and market segments in the United States and internationally. For more information, please visit www.aethersystems.com