SyncML-compliant Products and Services are One Step Closer to Full Market Deployment

Dallas, United States, April 9, 2001 – The SyncML initiative successfully hosted its first SyncFest last week, a critical conformance and interoperability testing event. Several SyncML sponsor and supporter companies were granted the right to use the SyncML logo for fully conformant and interoperable products. The SyncFest event marks an important milestone toward the realization of a true universal data synchronization protocol.

"We are extremely satisfied with the rapid progress SyncML sponsors and supporters have made in implementing this revolutionary technology. Less than four months after the release of the SyncML 1.0 specification, we have been able to test products successfully for conformance and interoperability," said Douglas Heintzman, Chairman of the SyncML Initiative. "We are committed to ensuring that SyncML conformant products work seamlessly together when putting interoperability to the test with real products."

At the SyncFest, vendors participated in real-time demonstrations to test their SyncML implementations for interoperability with other vendor's SyncML implementations. Participation in this carefully conceived SyncML interoperability testing process enables device manufacturers, application developers, Internet companies and wireless operators to introduce SyncML- compliant products and services to market.

“Bringing together the best and brightest players in the industry, the SyncFest has been an instrumental forum for these companies to work towards true interoperability across multiple networks, platforms and devices,“ said Andrew Wyatt, Vice President, Synchronization Products Group at Openwave. “Very soon, wireless device users will have ubiquitous access to updated and consistent data, applications and services, regardless of time, place and device. This interoperability clearly speaks to the viability of synchronization as a key element for friendly, future-proof time and data management.”

The SyncML initiative will host additional SyncFest events throughout 2001, enabling supporter companies to test their products and services for SyncML interoperability. More information about the SyncML conformance and interoperability process and coming SyncFest events can be found on the SyncML web site at www.syncml.org.

About SyncML
SyncML is an open industry specification for universal data synchronization of remote data and personal information across multiple networks, platforms and devices. The SyncML initiative is sponsored by Ericsson, IBM, Lotus, Matsushita, Motorola, Nokia, Palm, Inc. Psion, Starfish Software and supported by over 600 key wireless companies. Companies interested in deploying SyncML-compliant products and services in 2001 and beyond are encouraged to join the initiative. For more information on the SyncML initiative www.syncml.org.

About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges.


Further information:

Ericsson
Bo Albertson
+ 46 8 764 1388
bo.albertson@ecs.ericsson.se

IBM
Mike Maney
+1 914 766 3366
mmaney@us.ibm.com

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

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

Nokia Mobile Phones
Communications
+358 7180 08000

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

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

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

Starfish Software
Press Relations
+ 1 831 461 5815
tom@starfish.com