Mountain View, Calif. (April 22, 2003) -Nokia (NYSE: NOK) today announced a definitive agreement to acquire Eizel Technologies(TM), a privately held software company, in a stock-for-stock merger at an aggregate of USD $21 million. The Pittsburgh-based company develops server-based products that transform email messages, attachments, intranet applications and web content into formats easily accessible by any mobile device on any network. This transaction is subject to standard closing conditions. Eizel(TM) will integrate with the enterprise network security division, Nokia Internet Communications of the Nokia Ventures Organization.
"One of Nokia's key strategies is to bring extended mobility to enterprises, and this acquisition is a significant step in that direction," said John Robinson, senior vice president of Nokia Internet Communications. "Eizel(TM) has an innovative solution that sets a new standard for businesses wanting real-time secure wireless access to relevant Internet and intranet content anywhere, anytime. Until now, accessing business content and enterprise applications on the Internet without a wired broadband connection has been an unfriendly user experience. This new technology will change that."
Eizel's flagship product makes enterprise email, attachments and web-enabled applications (including intranet content) accessible from browsers on any device over any wireless network. The Eizel(TM) offering is unique because it is server based and requires no alteration of source content and no additional client-side software. It provides 'on-the-fly' reformatting of source content to fit the form factor of the mobile device while preserving interactive elements such as web forms.
"Nokia will build on Eizel's foundation to make wireless Internet access interactive and highly satisfying for business users," said Dr. Sam Leinhardt, president and CEO of Eizel(TM). "This is particularly significant for enterprises that already maintain extensive content online and need to exploit the functionality of full-function wireline email in their everyday business operations regardless of where they happen to be. It's exciting to become a part of a company that is shaping the future of the mobile world and one that can support its customers on a 24/7 basis throughout the world."
Nokia will integrate Eizel's unique mobility application with its own secure enterprise product portfolio, backed by a worldwide support system. The solution fits neatly within Nokia's mobile enterprise connectivity roadmap, which is evolving from fixed perimeter security and connectivity to secure mobile connectivity and interoperability. Nokia also will have the flexibility of delivering the Eizel(TM) solution as a software application for organizations that have standardized on UNIX or Linux platforms from major hardware vendors. The Eizel(TM) solution supports SSL encryption and LDAP-based authentication to ensure secure access. Coupled with its other enterprise offerings, Nokia now offers organizations the most comprehensive secure mobile connectivity solutions available.
In addition to simplifying deployment and increasing system reliability with a server-based software solution, Nokia also will couple Eizel's mobility application with complementary security appliances and innovative handsets, like the Nokia 6800, to produce solutions that address key enterprise requirements such as fully functional mobile email.
About Eizel
Eizel Technologies(TM) Inc. (www.eizel.com) employs advanced computer science technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, pattern recognition and natural language processing, to solve problems relating to universal access to content. The company's highly scalable, low maintenance, cutting edge solutions leapfrog traditional approaches dramatically reducing costs while increasing the breadth of devices that can be used to access and interact with online content. Eizel(TM) secured USD $4 million in funding from institutional and private investors in July 2002. Founded in 2000 by scientists from Carnegie Mellon Univeristy, Eizel(TM) currently employs 26 people.
About Nokia Internet Communications
Nokia Internet Communications, headquartered in Mountain View, California, provides world-class Network Security, Virtual Private Network and Internet Traffic Management solutions that ensure the security and reliability of corporate enterprise and managed service provider networks. Nokia is committed to enhancing the end-user experience by bringing a new level of security and reliability to the network, enabling an Internet transaction that is personal and trusted each and every time. For more information, please visit www.nokia.com/securenetworksolutions.
Nokia Internet security and virtual private network appliances span the spectrum of price/performance points and secure the widest range of network environments, from the smallest branch office to the largest Internet data center. The expansive product line, backed by world-class global support and services, provides customers the ability to deploy multiple solutions from a single product to secure all elements of a distributed enterprise.
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 broadband 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.
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