Press Release
April 16, 2002
Information Builders Announces Key Enhancements to WebFOCUS Mobile Solutions
First Closed-Loop Mobile Business Intelligence Solution for All Handheld Devices Extends Interactive Enterprise Information to All Users
NEW YORK, NY - Information Builders, a leader in business intelligence solutions for real-time information delivery via the Web, announced enhanced mobile solutions for WebFOCUS. New features include data capture and update capabilities on mobile devices, seamless e-mail-based reporting from all Web applications, and full support for BlackBerry Wireless Handhelds™ from Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM - news; TSE: RIM - news).
The latest WebFOCUS release delivers closed-loop mobile business intelligence solutions for all handheld devices -- a first in the business intelligence market. The new capabilities released exclusively by Information Builders allow users to perform data capture and update from handheld devices, meaning that enterprise-wide information can be updated, all the way down to back-end databases. Reporting can also be done via e-mail from any Web application using Information Builders' technology and any existing information assets. The entire suite of mobile solutions can now be accessed via BlackBerry™ handhelds, a new capability in this release.
For example, Information Builders is developing a solution for care workers and physicians of hospitals that support the use of wireless devices, who are constantly mobile, to enter data on a handheld device and send that data wirelessly to any back-end database to update records. Currently, patient data is written on paper forms, then reentered by hand into a computer -- a time-consuming and mistake-laden process. With WebFOCUS mobile solutions, data entry occurs via a mobile device while the patient is present, reducing the potential for human error and accelerating the data entry/update process. Use of the application will help improve the quality of patient care, as well as the accuracy of general health records.
WebFOCUS' data capture capabilities also allow handheld users to send alerts or trigger other actions based on that data. Performing much like a Web browser, a thin client on the handheld uses links for navigation, supports input via HTML-forms, validates forms and login, and displays corporate graphics. The data-capture feature, and all other WebFOCUS mobile functionality, also includes support of all BlackBerry handhelds. This provides today's businesses with a secure, always-on, completely wireless solution, and allows users to deploy their applications to BlackBerry handhelds.
``RIM and Information Builders have been working together for over a year to offer mobile business intelligence solutions to BlackBerry users,'' said Mark Guibert, vice president, brand management at Research In Motion. ``Information Builders' newest offering expands the value of the integrated offering further by allowing users to input information from the field as well as receive information.''
Other enhancements include the ability to ``mobilize'' any Web application using WebFOCUS e-mail reporting technology for pulling and pushing data. This solution uses existing infrastructure to provide seamless integration with corporate security and user management systems.
Users gain access via a corporate-designed front-end that leverages existing security infrastructure, and can request reports from any e-mail client on a handheld device or desktop computer. WebFOCUS mobile solutions provide cost-effective, reliable, and secure access to existing enterprise information sources for users away from the office.
``The ability to use mobile devices in your organization, while closing the information loop -- or giving the users the ability to be notified and update data from the field -- is what people are really looking for,'' says Information Builders Senior Vice President of Business Intelligence David Sandel. ``Mobile devices should be an extension of the enterprise. The new WebFOCUS mobile information delivery capabilities, as well as our strong partnership with RIM, help accomplish this goal.''
About Information Builders
Information Builders provides its customers with robust business intelligence, specializing in real-time information delivery over the Web. Headquartered in New York, Information Builders helps companies and government organizations improve their mission-critical operations by transforming data into usable information and delivering it to employees, managers, partners, and customers through the Internet. With the award-winning WebFOCUS solution, Information Builders delivers information for more than 11,000 global customer sites, including most of the Fortune 100 and all U.S. federal government agencies. The company employs 1,900 people worldwide and generated revenues exceeding $300 million in 2001. For more information, visit www.informationbuilders.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 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 Europe. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market and the Toronto Stock Exchange. For more information, visit www.rim.net or www.blackberry.net.
The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties of Research In Motion Limited.
