TANTAU Licenses Wireless Ecommerce Software to Compaq; Wireless Internet Platform Integrated With Compaq's Mobile Commerce Offerings.

Business/Technology Editors

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 29, 2000

TANTAU Software Inc. today outlined terms of a strategic agreement with Houston-based Compaq Computer Corporation that calls for Compaq to license TANTAU's Wireless Internet Platform as part of its new mobile commerce solutions. The multi-year marketing and distribution agreement gives Compaq the ability to integrate, sell, service and support solutions based on TANTAU's software on a global basis.

The first open m-commerce software built specifically for the enterprise, TANTAU's Wireless Internet Platform gives businesses the ability to keep a direct link to the customer versus using a service provider's proprietary gateway, or portal. It enables the secure transfer of data between a wireless device, such as a cellular phone, and an enterprise's back-end applications and data sources.

Larry Schwartz, vice president and general manager, Compaq Telecommunications, said, "TANTAU's technology is a valuable addition to our wireless Internet strategy to give business users and consumers "everywhere, everyway" wirefree access to Internet-based data and voice services. It is optimized for secure, high-volume commerce transactions, and that complements Compaq's traditional strengths in moving money in real time, securely, and without fail."

Compaq's mobile commerce strategy is designed to provide customers with a choice of solutions based on a variety of server hardware and middleware options, as well as global professional services. As part of its end-to-end mobile commerce strategy, Compaq also provides a range of wireless Internet handheld devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs) and palm size PCs.

As a key part of Compaq's Mobile Internet Platform, TANTAU's software enables mobile customers using wireless devices to receive data and to complete commercial transactions reliably and securely via the Internet. Compaq's solutions are aimed at service providers worldwide, including wireless applications service providers (WASPs) and Internet service providers (ISPs).

The agreement between TANTAU and Compaq calls for collaboration on marketing and sales efforts. In addition, TANTAU will provide professional consulting services to help Compaq customer's integrate back-end and legacy applications with the Wireless Internet Platform.

"This partnership is a natural fit for our companies -- both are working to aggressively move into the converging wireless and Internet markets with complementary solutions," remarked John Sims, president and CEO of TANTAU Software. "By incorporating TANTAU's software, Compaq is able to expand its mobile commerce solutions for its customers. And, TANTAU is able to extend its market reach through Compaq's global presence."

About TANTAU's Wireless Internet Platform

TANTAU's Wireless Internet Platform creates a link for a variety of both wireless and wired devices including cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, pagers and Web browsers. It interacts with back-end applications and data sources and gives the ability to create personalized applications based on user preference. Features of the Wireless Internet Platform include:

--Multiple protocol support, including WAP version 1.1

--Gateways for integration with back-end applications and data sources

--End-to-end security from the device to the data center

--Critical scale and performance features including load balancing and fail-over, wireless session management

--Java-based development environment

--Multi-platform availability including Unix, Windows NT and Compaq NSK 

Price and Availability

TANTAU's Wireless Internet Platform is available immediately worldwide. Pricing is based on application type and usage. The Compaq Mobile Internet Platform is available immediately on Compaq NonStop(TM) Himalaya(TM) systems, and later in April on its AlphaServer(TM) systems running Tru64(TM) UNIX(R). Customer support and information about Compaq and its products and services are available at http://www.compaq.com.

About TANTAU

TANTAU Software Inc. is the first provider of software and services that enables enterprises to conduct high-volume, secure, mobile ecommerce transactions while maintaining direct access to their customer. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, TANTAU is a global company with development and sales offices around the world, including Australia, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. TANTAU is a member of the WAP Forum and Radicchio, the global industry consortium that promotes security for wireless ecommerce. More information can be found on TANTAU's Web site at http://www.tantau.com.

TANTAU is a registered trademark or trademark of TANTAU Software Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.