Press Release
June 25, 2001
Aether Systems and Research In Motion Join Siebel Alliance Program as Premier Partners to Deliver Secure Wireless Access to Siebel eBusiness Applications
Wireless Technology and Services from Aether and RIM Complement Siebel eBusiness Applications to Provide Enterprises an End-to-End Wireless eBusiness Solution
New York, PC Expo - Aether Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: AETH) and Research In Motion Limited (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSE: RIM) have each joined the Siebel Alliance Program as Premier Partners to deliver Siebel eBusiness Applications on the acclaimed BlackBerry Wireless Handheld™ with integration services and support by wireless software and services leader, Aether Systems. Siebel Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SEBL) is the world's leading provider of eBusiness applications software. The alliance will provide enterprise customers a reliable, secure and robust wireless eBusiness solution, complete with RIM's BlackBerry wireless email solution and Aether services including a secure wireless web browser, 24/7 customer service, airtime and value-added application development opportunities.
Through the alliance, Aether Systems and RIM are working with Siebel Systems on technology, marketing, and sales and will leverage their respective expertise and leading positions in wireless data services and mobile communications. The joint solution provides a secure, end-to-end, wireless solution for enterprises seeking to increase their productivity, sales effectiveness and customer satisfaction through improved mobile access to data and communications.
This powerful eBusiness solution allows professionals to use BlackBerry Wireless Handhelds to monitor and update opportunity and lead details, review account information, access calendar and contact details, order parts, respond to service requests, and initiate alerts and messages. The solution is designed for field sales and service organizations in a wide range of industries including banking, insurance, high technology, automotive, pharmaceutical and telecommunications.
"Both Aether and RIM have earned excellent reputations as market leaders in the wireless industry," said Steve Garnett, Vice President and General Manager of Alliances for Siebel Systems. "As the business world becomes increasingly mobile, our joint offering provides a more secure, usable, and easy to implement solution that further extends Siebel Systems' ability to deliver its leading software solutions anytime, anywhere."
"Aether is extremely excited to partner with Siebel Systems and to extend our long and successful partnership with RIM through this alliance. The market leadership that Siebel Systems has been able to develop and sustain is remarkable and we are looking forward to delivering a wireless eBusiness solution second to none," said Aether President and Vice Chairman George Davis.
"This alliance will allow us to extend the core benefits of Siebel eBusiness Applications to mobile environments," said Jim Balsillie, CEO of Research In Motion. "Wireless access to Siebel eBusiness Applications will strongly complement the existing wireless email and organizer features provided in the BlackBerry solution. Customers will enjoy easy, secure access to a range of important business information from a single wireless handheld."
About Aether Systems
Aether Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of wireless and mobile data products and services allowing real-time communications and transactions across a full range of devices and networks. Using its engineering expertise, the ScoutWare ™ family of products including the Aether Intelligent Messaging (AIM) software platform, and its network operations and customer care center, Aether seeks to provide comprehensive, technology-independent wireless and mobile computing solutions. Aether develops and delivers wireless data services across a variety of industries and market segments in the United States and internationally. For more information, please visit www.aethersystems.com.
About Research In Motion
Research In Motion® Limited is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the mobile communications market. Through development and integration of hardware, software and services, RIM provides solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM® technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers around the world to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity. RIM's portfolio of award-winning products includes the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, the BlackBerry™ wireless email solution, embedded radio-modems and software development tools. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in Canada, the United States and England. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.net.
The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited.
This press release includes forward-looking statements based on current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions about Aether that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability of Aether, RIM and Siebel to develop and deliver the products described in this release and the market acceptance of such products and services. These risks and other risk factors are described in Aether's report on Form 10-K with respect to the fiscal year ending December 31, 2000 and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Aether undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.
Research In Motion, RIM and BlackBerry are trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. Research In Motion and RIM are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. All other brands, products and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks relating to possible product defects and product liability, risks related to international sales and potential foreign currency exchange fluctuations, risks related to the year 2000 issue, continued acceptance of RIM's products, increased levels of competition, technological changes, dependence on intellectual property rights and other risks detailed from time to time in RIM's periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities.
