Geoworks and AirBoss(TM) Combine Forces to Produce Superior Wireless
ASP Solutions
ALAMEDA, Calif., July 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Geoworks Corporation
(Nasdaq: GWRX), a pioneer in mobile data communications services and
technologies, today announced it has finalized its acquisition of AirBoss(TM)
Wireless Systems from Telcordia Technologies, Inc., an SAIC company. Geoworks
previously announced its intention to acquire AirBoss on May 16, 2000.
Geoworks acquired AirBoss Wireless Systems for approximately three million
shares of Geoworks stock, giving Telcordia a 12 percent ownership stake in
Geoworks.
Under the terms of the acquisition, 25 AirBoss employees will join
Geoworks as employees of a newly established Geoworks office in New Jersey.
The New Jersey office will continue to spearhead the research, development and
deployment of the AirBoss line of patented mobile communications software
products, while Geoworks will integrate product sales, marketing and
operations globally from its Alameda, Calif. headquarters. The terms of the
acquisition also include provisions for a strategic relationship with
Telcordia.
AirBoss Wireless Systems offers client-server mobile communications
software products and consulting services that result in enhanced wireless
access to corporate data over a wide variety of wireless networks and
computing devices.
"We plan to leverage the deep synergy between the expertise of both
AirBoss Wireless Systems and Geoworks on both the business and market level,"
said Dave Grannan, President and CEO of Geoworks Corporation. "This
acquisition expands our geographic customer reach on a global scale, increases
our wireless revenues and enables us to offer a well-rounded portfolio of
B-to-B and B-to-C wireless solutions through both our AirBoss and Mobile ASP
product lines."
Geoworks has also acquired five key wireless data patents that were
developed by Telcordia and integrated into AirBoss products. Geoworks will
integrate the AirBoss patents into its existing wireless technology patent
portfolio and continue its current course of strategically asserting its
enhanced patent portfolio. With this patent portfolio, Geoworks plans to
license its patents, where appropriate, for revenue generation, leverage sales
of its existing products using patented technology as a key differentiator,
and pursue cross-licensing arrangements to gain access to other technologies
and markets.
"The Geoworks acquisition provides us with the opportunity to sell AirBoss
products and services to a broader range of mobile market segments," said Dave
Pepe, the new VP and General Manager of the New Jersey-based Geoworks
division. "Further, the alliance of Geoworks and AirBoss technologies will
greatly benefit existing and potential customers."
About AirBoss Wireless Systems
AirBoss(TM) Wireless Systems encompasses a suite of patented mobile
communications software products and consulting services that provide enhanced
wireless access to corporate data over a wide variety of wireless networks and
computing devices. AirBoss Wireless Systems extend companies' local area
networks into the mobile environment, giving employees ready access to
mission-critical corporate data and applications. AirBoss Wireless Systems
employ a "carrier-grade" platform built to the industry's highest standards of
reliability. For additional information on AirBoss Wireless Systems, please
visit http://www.airboss.com.
About Telcordia Technologies, Inc.
Telcordia Technologies, Inc., an SAIC company, is one of the world's
largest providers of operations support systems, network software and
consulting and engineering services to the telecommunications industry. As
the leader in the development of next generation network architectures,
Telcordia employs more than 6,500 professionals, and has revenues of more than
$1.5 billion. Telcordia (http://www.telcordia.com) is headquartered in Morristown,
New Jersey, with offices throughout the United States, Europe, Central and
South America and Asia Pacific.
About Geoworks
Geoworks Corporation is a pioneer in wireless data communications services
and technologies for the business and consumer markets. The company's mission
is to enable mobile Internet access in the business to business and business
to consumer markets. Geoworks' Mobile ASP(TM) solution utilizes a flexible
combination of its proprietary Premion(TM) Server+ technology and its mobile
media expertise to enable businesses to reach their mobile customers with
relevant and timely information. By licensing its essential Intellectual
Property Rights for the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), Geoworks plays a
central role in advancing the worldwide market for mobile devices that enable
people to easily and instantly access and interact with information and
services. Based in Alameda, California, the company has offices in New Jersey,
Japan and the United Kingdom, and can be found on the World Wide Web at
http://www.geoworks.com.
In keeping with U.S. law, Geoworks notes that this press release includes
forward-looking statements, including the emergence of, and Geoworks'
participation in, the mobile data and technology services market. Actual
results may vary significantly due to various risks and uncertainties. Those
include, but are not limited to, the following: i) the mobile data and
technology services market may not emerge to the degree or timing anticipated;
and ii) new technologies and new services are inherently subject to
development, timing and consumer acceptance risks. Additional information is
available in the Risk Factors and Business discussions in the Company's Forms
10- K, 10-Q and other filings available from the Company or from the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE Geoworks Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.geoworks.com
CONTACT:
Kristy Jarosh of Red Whistle Communications,
503-332-0204, or kjarosh@redwhistle.com, for Geoworks Corp.; Bob
Bogard of Geoworks Corp., 510-814-5811, or bbogard@geoworks.com;
or Sharon Oddy of Telcordia Technologies, 732-758-2505, or
soddy@telcordia.com
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