SyncML showcases powerful SyncML-enabled solutions at Supporter Summit Dublin

Today, Wireless Industry leaders Ericsson, IBM, Lotus, Matsushita, Motorola, Nokia, Palm, Inc., Psion, and Starfish Software, along with SyncML Supporters Extended Systems, fusionOne, PUMATECH, and Ukibi successfully demonstrated SyncML-enabled solutions at the second SyncML Supporter Summit in Dublin, Ireland. With over 400 Supporters to date, the SyncML initiative has provided the tools and instruction to the world’s leading wireless players for easy implementation of the SyncML specification. This revolutionary technology delivers both local and remote data synchronization among any SyncML-compliant device, application, or service, regardless of manufacturer or platform.

“The increasing demand for advanced mobile solutions combined with the rapid growth of smart wireless devices poses significant challenges for device manufacturers, application developers, service providers and consumers,” said Tim Sheedy, Research Manager for European Wireless Communications at IDC. “The industry has been approaching a potential information management catastrophe and SyncML is beginning to deliver a solution. SyncML is well positioned to deliver what is likely to become the defacto standard for data synchronization for tomorrows mobile solutions.”

SyncML Supporters gathered in Dublin today for interactive presentations and business and technical tracks focused on the rapid implementation of the SyncML powerful open protocol for mobile data synchronization. In addition to demonstrations from the SyncML Sponsors and Supporter companies, attendees gained valuable expertise from in-depth discussions focused on SyncML in a mobile information society, SyncML in a corporate environment, details on the SyncML technical requirements for rapid client and server implementation and more. At the SyncML Supporter Summit Dublin, Supporters received the tools to further advance development of SyncML compliant products and services to be commercially available as early as Q1, 2001.

In addition, the demonstration area open during the Summit included next generation demonstrations from Ericsson, Extended Systems, fusionOne, Nokia, Psion, PUMATECH and Starfish. These solutions showcased SyncML local and remote data synchronization using different types of devices and operating systems including Psion, Motorola, Nokia and Ericsson cellular phones with different type of servers including Ericsson Air Calendar, TrueSync Powered Excite Planner, and Lotus Domino. The demonstrations clearly showed that SyncML is essential in building open, reliable applications regardless of platform or manufacturer.

“Through the exciting demonstrations from SyncML today, this further establishes SyncML as the world’s only true future-proof platform in data synchronization,” said Douglas Heintzman, Chairman SyncML initiative. “The numerous companies that demonstrated their solutions today have seamlessly implemented the SyncML specification in less than six weeks. This brilliant technology is exactly what the industry has been asking for and we are pleased to see so many companies planning on deliver products that support it.”

Founded in February 2000, the SyncML initiative recognized the worldwide need for a universal data synchronization protocol. With the industry-wide proliferation of mobile devices and the evolution of these devices as the major means of information exchange, synchronization of data will be of integral importance. The SyncML initiative, officially supported by over 400 device manufacturers, service providers and application developers, is currently finalizing the development and promotion plans for an open global specification for mobile data synchronization.

About SyncML
Sponsored by IBM, Lotus, Matsushita, Motorola, Nokia, Palm, Inc., Psion and Starfish Software, the SyncML Initiative develops and promotes an open industry specification for universal data synchronization of remote data and personal information across multiple networks, platforms and devices. The SyncML Initiative is open for participation to a wide range of industries including device manufacturers, synchronization vendors, service providers and application developers. Companies interested in joining are encouraged to contact the SyncML Initiative today to become part of the team and deliver the SyncML specification available later this year. For more information on the SyncML Initiative, how to join SyncML, details of technical specifications and more, visit http://www.syncml.org.

Press Contacts:

Ericsson
Jan AhrenbringEricsson
+46 70 590 9900
jan.ahrenbring@ecs.ericsson.se

IBM
Tara Sexton
+ 1 914 766 3366
tara.sexton@us.ibm.com

Lotus
Michael Shamrell
+ 1 617 693 1264
michael_shamrell@lotus.com

Motorola
David Rudd
+1 847 576 7089
David.rudd@motorola.com

Nokia, Inc
Megan Matthews
+1 972 8944267
megan.matthews@nokia.com

Nokia Mobile Phones
Tapio Hedman
+ 358 10 5051
tapio.hedman@nokia.com

Palm, Inc.
Julia Rodriguez
+ 1 408 326 9390
julia.rodriguez@palm.com

Palm, Inc.
Amy Nemechek
A&R Partners Public Relations
Tel. + 1 303 730 5755
anemechek@arpartners.com

Psion PLC
Anthony Garvey,
+44 171 317 4265
anthony-garvey@psion.com

Starfish Software
Kate Dueck
+1 831 461 5815
kate.dueck@starfish.com