ConnecTerra Demos Device Computing Platform at Auto-ID EPC Symposium; ConnecTerra's DCP Increases Enterprise Awareness Through Integration of Smart, Networked Devices.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 15, 2003

ConnecTerra(TM), a leading supplier of enterprise software for device computing, today provided the first public demonstration of its Device Computing Platform (DCP) at the EPC Symposium in Chicago. The demonstration is part of a technology preview of ConnecTerra's upcoming RFID product, RFTagAware(TM) (see separate release). RF tags and readers are examples of smart, networked devices that are becoming more and more common within enterprises. Such devices represent an enormous opportunity for organizations to gain improved awareness and control of their overall business environment. As a result, device computing will join web computing as an important addition to the traditional enterprise computing environment. ConnecTerra's DCP provides the software foundation for enterprises to fully integrate their existing and future smart devices into their existing enterprise and web applications.

"Over the last ten years companies have been integrating the Web into their business processes," says Linda Bernardi, President and CEO of ConnecTerra. "The next wave will be device computing, which will bring an unprecedented level of awareness to businesses. Just as new breeds of infrastructure software enabled the rise of web computing in the enterprise, our software is helping to create the next wave of the Aware Enterprise based on device computing. The Aware Enterprise will realize significant efficiencies by integrating the data and control of its distributed devices and products into its business processes."

ConnecTerra's DCP tackles the unique challenges that are common to applications involving highly distributed, smart, networked devices. These challenges include secure communication over an increasing array of wide-area networking options, monitoring and health management of remote, autonomous devices, and integration of unique device data into existing and new enterprise applications. The DCP enables rapid creation and deployment of initial device applications, while supporting the challenges that come with the scaling of the solution to include additional applications and more devices.

"A device can be anything: medical equipment, a gas pump, a cash register, or even a case of razors with RFID tags," says David Douglas, Senior Vice President, Products and Strategy at ConnecTerra. "Our customers are organizations that use or service large numbers of data-rich devices within their business. We help them extract and use this data to get better awareness and control of their overall operations."

Emerging device computing applications include remote service of products by their manufacturers, asset tracking in large, distributed organizations, and supply chain and logistics applications of RFIDs and smart sensors. ConnecTerra's DCP and its layered products, such as RFTagAware, provide an ideal starting point for companies, tackling the common challenges of device computing applications while allowing the end solution to be customized for the particular business and its existing infrastructure.

"We expect the adoption, first of RFID tags and ultimately other intelligent autonomous devices, to significantly enhance enterprise business efficiency, and enable companies to take a big step in improving ERP, supply chain and customer relationship management systems," says Jack Gold, Vice President, META Group. "However, since many companies lack the ability to integrate and/or utilize such devices with their currently installed systems, vendors that provide such enabling capabilities will be critical to the long term successful deployment of these technologies."

"Innovations from companies such as ConnecTerra puts us one step closer to a connected reality where everything with a digital, electrical or biological heartbeat will be connected to the Network," said Brian Sutphin, vice president, corporate strategy and development, Sun Microsystems Inc. ""Extending the network to assets of value, using products like RFTagAware, can create a significant business advantage for enterprises, service providers and consumers everywhere."

Pricing and Availability

Version 1.1 of the Device Computing Platform is currently shipping and is the basis for two focused products, RFTagAware and ProductAware(TM). The first release of RFTagAware, targeting RFID pilots and deployments will be released to early customers in September with general availability later in the year. ProductAware, targeting remote management and monitoring of smart devices by manufacturers and large organizations is currently shipping to early customers with general release in the Fall.

Versions of DCP, RFTagAware and ProductAware are available for Solaris(TM), Linux and Windows(R). Pricing of all three products is dependent on the number of server and device licenses. Please contact ConnecTerra at 617.441.2200 for more information.

About ConnecTerra, Inc.

Founded in 2001, ConnecTerra is a leading provider of enterprise software for device computing. Privately funded through individual and corporate investors including Sun Microsystems (NASDAQ: SUNW), ConnecTerra's products help to extend enterprise awareness to networked devices of all kinds, allowing companies to tap into the wealth of data captured by these devices. ConnecTerra's Device Computing Platform (DCP) provides the core communications, security, policy and management services required to integrate devices into a wide range of applications. Building on the DCP, ConnecTerra's RFTagAware targets the specific challenges of enterprise RF tag deployments, and ProductAware provides the software for manufacturers and service organizations to integrate real-time data from remote products into their service processes.

ConnecTerra is a member of the Storage Network Industry Association (SNIA), the Association of Retail Technology Standards (ARTS) of the National Retail Federation, and the Auto-ID Center. ConnecTerra is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts and can be reached on the web at www.connecterra.com

Solaris is a trademark or registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States or other countries. Microsoft, Encarta, MSN and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.