ArcStream Solutions Selected by Harvard Medical School To Build its MyCourses -TM- Mobile Platform

Business Wire, May 7, 2001

Business/Technology Editors

WATERTOWN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 7, 2001

Students and Faculty Leverage Wireless Technology to Instantly Access

Medical and Academic Information

ArcStream Solutions, a wireless consulting and systems integration firm, announced today that it has been selected by Harvard Medical School to build a mobile information resource for students and faculty. The new solution, the MyCourses(TM) Mobile Platform, is designed to promote personalized medical learning by enabling students to use mobile devices to access information from various HMS systems. This will allow them to have timely access to the latest course information and to maintain better communication with the HMS faculty.

Harvard Medical School chose ArcStream to develop a mobile platform to give students and faculty improved access to information. Since medical students are constantly on the move - going from classrooms to hospitals - they needed an information resource that fit their mobile lifestyle. The MyCourses Mobile Platform gives them immediate access to personalized course calendars, announcements, and resources such as class notes and syllabi. Mobile devices also enable better communication between students and faculty. HMS faculty needs to keep in close contact with students to track their progress and ensure that they are getting the right exposure to various medical procedures. Using PDAs, students can log casebook procedures and observations which they can upload to a central computer for the faculty to easily retrieve.

"ArcStream architected a wireless solution that addresses our students' daily information needs, while aligning with our academic and administrative goals," said Dr. John Halamka, Associate Dean, Harvard Medical School. "Because our students are mobile, they need a platform from which to access information quickly and easily whether they are in a hospital ward, a classroom, or a car. This platform gives them immediate access to personalized course information and enables them to communicate with faculty more effectively."

The end-user experience was an integral part of the solution development process. ArcStream worked directly with Harvard Medical students to understand their work habits and develop functionality most appropriate to their information needs. In building the solution, ArcStream leveraged existing HMS technology by integrating an AvantGo server with back-end data systems to extend the medical classroom to PDAs.

"We are proud that a world-renowned institution like Harvard Medical School has selected ArcStream to develop its MyCourses Mobile Platform," said John Keane, CEO of ArcStream Solutions. "We worked closely with Harvard Medical School to enhance its learning environment by innovatively applying mobile technology. This solution underscores the significant advantages available to organizations that leverage wireless technology, especially those with a large population of mobile professionals."

About ArcStream Solutions

ArcStream Solutions is a wireless consulting and systems integration firm that delivers innovative solutions to improve the effectiveness of mobile workers. ArcStream, financially backed by NorthBridge Venture Partners, specializes in providing B2E -- business-to-employee -- strategic consulting and implementation services for high-tech manufacturing, insurance, pharmaceuticals, utilities, telecommunications and retail and consumer goods manufacturers. Led by a seasoned management team, ArcStream's enterprise-wide,

wireless strategy approach helps companies find the appropriate solution for their business by understanding the impact of wireless applications and ultimate return on investment.