MANSFIELD, MA -- October 3, 2002 - Responding to growing worldwide demand for device relationship management (DRM) enterprise software and services, Axeda Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: XEDA), the leading provider of DRM solutions, today announced that it has formed the DRM Leadership AllianceSM , a new program that will seek to bring together industry leaders from a cross section of organizations to promote the understanding, adoption, and interoperability of DRM real-time information management systems for proactive customer service and business operations.
Through the DRM Leadership Alliance, Axeda plans to facilitate manufacturers, professional groups, market analysts, academic institutions, telecommunications providers, professional services firms, regulatory agencies, and product end users to collaborate in support of DRM education, market development, operational security and product integration. As one of its first activities, Axeda will host an educational DRM Leadership ForumSM at the annual meeting of the Association for Services Management International (AFSMI) on October 7 in Atlanta, GA, featuring DRM thought leaders from Forrester Research, BearingPoint (formerly KPMG Consulting), Siebel Systems, Nokia, AFSMI, and Axeda.
"The industry has recognized that device relationship management systems will fundamentally change the way companies operate. Whether for customer service, sales, marketing, or product development, companies that successfully tap real-time information from devices will become more proactive and responsive in their business operations," said Dale Calder, president and founder of Axeda Systems. "Because DRM is emerging at the intersection of several established markets, there has been no industry forum to specifically address topics relevant to DRM market evolution. The DRM Leadership Alliance will address this need by facilitating communication and collaboration between a broad set of companies, organizations, and individuals. Collectively, we will seek to accelerate adoption and maximize benefits from the use of DRM to improve enterprise operational efficiency and customer satisfaction."
Axeda plans for the DRM Leadership Alliance to consist of several programs including:
- The DRM Leadership CouncilSM, a strategic planning and advisory group that will be composed of executives from multiple industries addressing the understanding, adoption, and evolution of DRM. This group will also explore issues relating to interoperability, security, privacy, and emerging standards within the DRM community. In addition, the Council will sponsor DRM Leadership ForumSM educational and informational venues at key industry events, bringing together thought leaders to share their perspectives on the benefits of DRM, its implementation, and its role in addressing key business issues faced by the industry.
- The DRM Integration ProgramSM will target companies with complementary technology, applications, and services that enhance or can be enhanced by the capabilities of the Axeda DRM™ system. Members will consist of leading firms with expertise in systems integration, hardware, software, enterprise applications and other critical services that will work together with Axeda to integrate and co-market their products to assure rapid adoption and customer payback.
Through the Alliance, Axeda plans to offer a certification program that will enable device OEMs, software and technology developers, and component suppliers to assure secure and valid Axeda DRM implementations for their end users. In support of open interoperability, Axeda also plans to make available under license its XML-based interfaces to allow third parties to build Axeda DRM-compatible devices and applications.
For further information on the DRM Leadership Alliance and to apply for membership please email drmleadershipalliance@axeda.com, or call +1-508-337-9200.
Axeda Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: XEDA) is the leading provider of device relationship management (DRM) enterprise software and services. Axeda helps businesses become more competitive by using the Internet to extract real-time information hidden in their intelligent devices. The company's flagship product, the Axeda Device Relationship Management System™, is a distributed software solution that lets businesses remotely monitor, manage and service intelligent devices, deployed around the world, allowing them to optimize their service, development, sales and manufacturing operations. Axeda customers are Global 2000 companies in many markets including Industrial and Building Automation, Enterprise Storage, High-technology, Medical Instrumentation, Office Automation and Semiconductor Equipment industries. Axeda has sales and service offices in the US, Europe and Japan, and distribution partners worldwide. More information about Axeda is available at www.axeda.com.
Everyday intelligent devices such as copiers, elevators, vending machines, building control units, medical devices, computers and storage systems, and industrial machines are an important new source of business information. Device relationship management systems allow companies to tap into this valuable information anytime anywhere. Pioneered by Axeda, device relationship management technology provides a distributed information management system that leverages the Internet to allow timely, accurate, and unbiased information to be communicated automatically between intelligent devices, wherever they are deployed around the world, and service personnel or enterprise business systems. Device Relationship Management helps turn reactive businesses into proactive businesses providing new sources of revenue, increased operational efficiency and lower costs with an ROI that is often measured in months.
Press Contact:
Erin Nolan Smith
Corporate
+1 508-718-6351
enolan@axeda.com
