Clarinet Systems, Inc. and USS McFAUL to Get More Technology Into the Palms of Sailors.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

NORFOLK, Va. & SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 25, 2000

Clarinet Systems(R) of San Jose, CA, announced today it will play a major roll in providing the Sailors of the Norfolk-based guided missile destroyer USS McFAUL (DDG 74) new, high-tech tools to assist them in their day-to-day work. Beginning this week, 115 Palm V hand-held computers will be issued to the crew and a series of Clarinet Systems infrared ports will be installed throughout the ship to link them all together.

That's good news for Sailors aboard the ship and represents an expansion of an existing program. Earlier this year, more than 2,000 Palm(R) computers were distributed to officers stationed aboard Atlantic Fleet surface combatants. On McFAUL, the 115 new hand-held computers will be distributed to chiefs and Sailors in work center supervisor positions; that's in addition to the 30 issued to the wardroom earlier this year. In addition to the Palm V's standard features, the computers issued to Sailors will include a new security software package requiring a "log on" ID and authentication password to protect business sensitive notes and contact information on the computers in case they are lost or misplaced.

But what makes this technological expansion aboard McFAUL special is the installation of 32 Clarinet Systems infrared ports throughout the ship.

These ports will be positioned in work centers and key, high-traffic areas such as berthing spaces and mess decks. Connected to a Clarinet Systems EthIR LAN(R), they allow Sailors to transmit and receive information between the network and their hand-held computers anytime from almost anywhere on the ship. McFAUL Sailors will initially use the Palms to send and receive e-mails, coordinate daily and weekly schedules, and consolidate and coordinate checklists and databases. As the crew grows more familiar with the computers, they will find more uses for them.

The end goal is to continue improving productivity and efficiency.

"Timely access to information is crucial in enhancing productivity and ensuring combat readiness and Clarinet Systems provides the ideal solution for the U.S. Navy personnel to achieve this with no interference with the Navy's communication systems. Sailors can connect their laptops and Palms from easy to connect access points with our EthIR LAN Infrared solutions to obtain information on demand. We are pleased to partner with and Palm to provide such an elegant solution for the U.S. Navy and its industrious and dedicated personnel" said Wen Chang President of Clarinet Systems.

This program is just another step in the Navy's ongoing commitment to improving efficiency by quickly getting new equipment to the people who can best put it to use: Sailors on the waterfront.

"This is what it's all about: putting technology into the hands of Sailors to not only increase combat readiness but to enhance their quality of service. As we build the Navy of the future, we have to look for new and innovative ways of doing business and I think this is a significant step in building the 21st century Navy," said VADM Henry C. Giffin, III, Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. USN.

Clarinet Systems, Inc., San Jose, Calif., is a global provider of wireless connectivity for handheld appliances. All products are sold through an international network of distributors, resellers and system integrators.

Note to Editors: All company, brand names and trademarks are the exclusive property of the manufactures.