Critical Devices Inc. Advances Simplified Enterprise Management of Handheld Computers Using Asset Services Management.

Business Editors

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 22, 2000

New Solution Tracks and Monitors Palm Powered(TM) Handheld Computers 

Critical Devices Inc. announced today a new enterprise solution that gives companies a simplified and secure approach to remotely identify, track and monitor Palm Powered(TM) handheld computers using Critical Devices' Asset Services Management(TM) (ASM).

This service, available on a monthly subscription basis, is the first fully Internet-based tracking/monitoring solution for handhelds in the enterprise that offers premier security while requiring virtually no administration or infrastructure deployment.

"We've developed ASM from the start as the most unobtrusive, secure and easy-to-implement solution for companies grappling with how to best manage 'mobile IT' and the prolific use of handhelds, cell phones and other mobile devices in the corporate world," said Roy Hogsed, president and chief executive officer at Critical Devices. "ASM ensures transparent administration and a seamless browser-based interface that keeps IT departments -- and even their outsourced service providers -- informed about the status, health and whereabouts of every handheld computer that participates with corporate-wide applications and sensitive, mission-critical data. ASM helps them know important details of handhelds used worldwide, 24 hours a day and seven days a week, without ever compromising security."

"Critical Devices has created an effective solution that takes the complex world of asset and performance management and makes it simple and easy for companies to remotely manage and monitor," said Gabriel Acosta-Lopez, senior director of alliance and partner services for Palm Inc. (Nasdaq:PALM). "They are a great example of Palm's strong developer base, and Palm looks forward to their future enterprise products."

Critical Devices initiated its handheld mobile management strategy using the Palm OS(R) platform, with plans to extend to other operating systems in the near future. According to Dataquest, the installed base of mobile devices in North America is expected to double by 2003. It also reports that the PDA market produced 8.2 million units in 1998 and will jump to 32.5 million units in 2003.

To ensure the highest-level of data security, Critical Devices has partnered with Certicom Corp. Certicom offers 163-bit Elliptic Curve Cryptography and supports Diffie-Helman, SSL, and the IPSEC security protocols for a variety of platforms. "Critical Devices understands the concern among IT managers to secure the data moving through the airwaves between the enterprise and mobile, wireless devices," said Hogsed. "ASM ensures the highest level of security while optimizing functionality."

About Critical Devices Inc.

Critical Devices Inc. develops and delivers Internet-based asset services and technologies that enable corporations to identify, inventory, track and monitor computing and non-computing devices. With high performance Asset Services Management (ASM), the company offers cost-effective, 24-hour monitoring and management of enterprisewide assets, including personal digital assistants (PDAs), notebooks, laptop and desktop computers, servers, routers and virtually any networked device. Critical Devices was founded in March 1999 and recently began offering its private-label services nationally.

For more information, contact Roy Miller at 214/521-8596 or at [e-mail], or visit www.criticaldevices.com. Sales inquiries may be sent to [e-mail].

Palm OS is a registered trademark and Palm and Palm Powered are trademarks of Palm, Inc. or its subsidiaries.