NEON Systems and Defywire Form Strategic Alliance Allowing Mobile Devices to Utilize Mainframe Systems

Business Wire, Dec 7, 2004

SUGAR LAND, Texas -- Combined Solution Delivers Mainframe-based Applications, Data Via Cellular Phones, Personal Digital Assistants, TabletPCs and Laptops

NEON(R) Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:NEON), a leader in enterprise-class mainframe integration, and Defywire, Inc. (www.defywire.com), a leading wireless and mobile software provider, today announced an alliance to co-market and co-sell their Shadow technology with the Defywire Mobility Suite. The joint solution will allow customers to seamlessly extend mainframe data and applications to a variety of hand-held mobile devices.

"Mainframe resources are often a key component in any enterprise integration plan. NEON's SOA and EDA approach to mainframe integration is a great fit with our approach to mobile enterprise solutions. NEON's expertise in working with complex backend systems greatly complements our expertise in delivering applications to mobile devices," said Jill Stelfox, CEO, Defywire.

NEON's Shadow product offers the ability to create mainframe-based Web services and capture real-time mainframe events all from a single, unified architecture built on performance, scalability and security. Shadow z/Services enables J2EE or .NET developers to use industry standard Web services to service-enable mainframe CICS, IMS, and Advantage CA-IDMS applications. Shadow z/Events allows developers to utilize real-time mainframe-based business events, occurring within DB2, Adabas, IMS/DB, VSAM and CICS/TS environments, with distributed applications such as Defywire Mobility Suite.

The Defywire Mobility Suite provides application development, delivery and upgrade in one integrated platform. Organizations using the Defywire Mobility Suite are able to deliver mobile applications in days. Defywire's wireless middleware connects mobile workers with business critical front and back office systems in real-time. With the Defywire Mobility Suite, application developers can build one design and then deliver it to cellular phones, PDAs, tablets and laptops.

"Our partnership with Defywire allows our customers to change their definition of end-to-end solutions. Now the integration of mainframe systems can extend beyond the office environment to wherever workers are performing their role via mobile devices. NEON's comprehensive mainframe integration solutions provide new options for how legacy systems are integrated with the Defywire Mobility Suite," said Mark Cresswell, president and CEO, NEON Systems.

The partnership will result in tightly integrated technology comprised of two separate solutions. The combination of NEON's Shadow products and the Defywire Mobility Suite will allow for the rapid inclusion of mainframe resources into high-value business applications being delivered to mobile device users.

About NEON Systems

NEON Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:NEON) is a leading provider of enterprise-class mainframe integration solutions, delivering a unified mainframe integration platform to support the entire range of requirements for modern Service-Oriented Architectures (SOA) and emerging Event-Driven Architectures (EDA). NEON's Shadow technology is designed to reduce the complexity of mainframe integration, allowing large organizations with significant commitment to mainframe systems to streamline incumbent technologies and lower total cost of ownership. With decades of mainframe expertise, NEON is uniquely qualified to reduce the risk organizations face when supporting new business initiatives that integrate with mainframe systems. For more information on the future of mainframe integration, see our Web site at www.neonsys.com.

About Defywire

Defywire is a leading wireless and mobile solution provider. The company's flagship product, Defywire Mobility Suite, extends the enterprise by providing mobile employees with secure, real-time access to corporate information systems. Defywire offers its software directly and through reseller channel partnerships. Headquartered in Herndon, Va., Defywire is led by a seasoned management team with in-depth knowledge of wireless offerings. For more information, visit http://www.defywire.com.

The NEON logo, Shadow, and Shadow Direct are registered trademarks, and Shadow z/EnterpriseWeb, Shadow z/Services, Shadow z/Events, and Shadow Studio are trademarks of NEON Systems, Inc. in the USA and in other select countries. All other trademarks, service marks and product or service names are the property of their respective owners.