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releases
April 21, 2004 --------------------
SYBASE UNLOCKS
INFORMATION THROUGH SIMPLIFIED ACCESS FROM ANY
COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE
Agreement to acquire assets of
Dejima adds patented technology to simplify access to
backend data, applications and information using mobile
messaging and natural language technologies
SYNOPSIS: Sybase today
signed an agreement to acquire the assets of Dejima,
Inc. The assets will be integrated into Sybase's
iAnywhere Solutions subsidiary.
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Provides even
non-technical users with easy, convenient access
to critical information using nearly any
communications method or device
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Enhances Sybase's
leading enterprise infrastructure and mobile
software with the addition of patented mobile
messaging and natural language interface
technologies
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Dublin,
CA, April 21, 2004 - Sybase, Inc. (NYSE: SY), a
leading provider of enterprise infrastructure and mobile
software, today announced it has signed an agreement to
acquire the assets of privately held Dejima, a leading
provider of mobile access solutions using natural
language interface technology. Sybase intends to
integrate the assets of Dejima into its iAnywhere
Solutions subsidiary, and expects to complete the cash
transaction in the second quarter of
2004.
"This move
extends our Unwired Enterprise strategy and positions
Sybase to play a pioneering role in the next technology
wave - empowering users to easily leverage sophisticated
enterprise and other information systems no matter what
their level of technical expertise," said Terry Stepien,
president of iAnywhere. "With this proven, patented
technology, Sybase will simplify information access,
enabling companies to increase user adoption and
productivity by making it easier for workers and
consumers to get the right information at the right
time."
The Dejima
product portfolio includes a total of 16 granted or
pending patents and leverages natural language
processing and adaptive agent technologies to allow end
users to interact with information sources using common,
colloquial language. Inquiries can be made using nearly
any communications method (email, SMS, voice, instant
messaging, etc.) or device (landline or mobile phone,
PDA, laptop, PC, etc.). Sybase plans to leverage the
Dejima technology to add natural spoken and text access
through common messaging interfaces to backend systems
such as databases and enterprise applications -
revolutionizing the way business is conducted and freeing critical
information for easy access by non-technical end
users.
"We have
very strong partnerships with both Sybase and Dejima and
feel that this is a match made in heaven," said Marc
Benioff, chairman & CEO, salesforce.com. "Joining
Dejima's innovative, patented natural language
technology with Sybase's robust data management,
decision support and mobile solutions lays the
foundation for the next killer app … a real home
run."
"Sybase
shares Dejima's vision that natural language technology
is an essential component of effective mobile
solutions," said Antoine Blondeau, CEO at Dejima. "We
are impressed by the commitment of the Sybase and
iAnywhere Solutions management teams to drive
opportunities for our Dejima products around the world."
Partner
companies (ISVs, OEMs, SIs, etc.) and customers can
leverage the Dejima technology to power a number of
innovative solutions, including:
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SFA and CRM
Applications - companies such as salesforce.com
employ Dejima technology to provide wireless Web
and wireless email access to detailed sales and
customer information, making it easier for
business professionals to find the information
they need, when they need it.
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Applications for
Wireless Carriers - carriers can provide consumers
with access to a wide variety of location-specific
information using everyday language. For example,
a subscriber using a wireless carrier's Yellow
Pages service can simply request, "Get me an
Italian restaurant with a nice
view."
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Telematics
Applications - Dejima technology provides an
effective, easy to use interface for a wide
variety of telematics applications including
vehicle-based electronic systems, online
navigation, information services and emergency
assistance.
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About
Sybase: Celebrating 20 years of innovation,
Sybase enables the Unwired Enterprise for customers and
partners by delivering enterprise and mobile solutions
for information management, development and integration.
The world's most critical data in commerce,
communications, finance, government and healthcare runs
on Sybase. For more information, visit the Sybase Web
site: http://www.sybase.com/.
About
Dejima: Dejima delivers revolutionary software
solutions that enable people to interact with
computerized content using their own words - freed from
using codes, commands and menus. - Dejima Direct™
solutions provide the ability to request information and
execute productivity tasks in their own words over
email, wireless messaging, web or speech. Founded in
1998, Dejima is headquartered in San Jose, California,
and operates subsidiaries in Paris and Tokyo. For more
information, visit Dejima's website at http://www.dejima.com/.
##### iAnywhere, iAnywhere Solutions and
Sybase are registered trademarks of Sybase, Inc. or its
subsidiaries. ® indicates registration in the United
States of America. All other company and product names
mentioned may be trademarks of the companies with which
they are associated.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS:
Statements concerning the benefits of Sybase's agreement
to acquire the assets of Dejima, future growth, the
completion of the acquisitions and Sybase's plans
following completion of the acquisitions are by nature
"forward-looking statements" (within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that
involve a number of uncertainties and risks and cannot
be guaranteed. Factors that could cause actual events or
results to differ materially include the risk that the
acquisitions may not be consummated in a timely manner,
if at all, risks regarding employee relations, risks
relating to shifts in customer demand, rapid
technological changes, competitive factors and
unanticipated delays in scheduled product availability
and other risks concerning Sybase and its operations
that are detailed in the period filings with the SEC of
Sybase, including its most recent filings on Form 10-K
and Form 10-Q.
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