Storage: Compaq Signs Letter of Intent to Bundle Iomega's Clik! Drive With Their Handheld PCs - Company Business and Marketing

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, Nov 23, 1998

Iomega Corporation Monday announced that Compaq Computer Corp. has signed a non-binding letter of intent to bundle Clik! Mobile Drives with their C-series handheld PC (HPC). The product package is expected to be available in 1999 as a specially priced retail bundle through Compaq DirectPlus, an integrated telesales (1-800-888-5858) and Internet system at http://www.directplus.compaq.com. Compaq is also evaluating providing an in-box Clik! drive solution on a subsequent product release.

"Compaq's innovation and leadership in business and personal information technology is recognized worldwide," said James Kelly, president, Mobile Storage Division, Iomega Corporation. "We're excited to be working together to provide a superior storage solution with Clik! drives and disks for the C-Series HPC and next generation devices. Compaq mobile device users will benefit from Clik!'s speed, capacity, performance and added memory capabilities for their customers."

The ultimate mobile communications tool, Compaq's C-Series running Microsoft Windows CE 2.0 is a high-performance handheld unit designed to offer mobile professionals the fastest, easiest and most secure way to send and receive information anytime, anywhere. Powered by a high performance MIPS based RISC processor, Compaq's C-Series models enable quick accessibility to Pocket Microsoft and other applications. Other integrated features include a 33.6 Kbps modem for Internet access, e-mails and faxes, and an RJ-11 network connection for connectivity with most major phone systems in hotels, airport terminals and waiting rooms. Enhanced security and asset management functionality position the C-Series as a leading mobile client that seamlessly integrates into networks and IS environments.

"Compaq and Iomega are committed to bring enhanced functionality and new solutions to highly mobile users. With improvements in the Windows CE operating system, we see an increasing demand for solutions requiring significantly more storage space and the opportunity to exchange large files easily," said Annie Bacon, director, Handheld Products, Compaq Computer Corporation. "Increasing the storage capacity of the C-Series with optional Clik! disks and drives from Iomega addresses the need for these requirements and enables new opportunities for C-Series implementations."

Clik! Drives and Disks The lightweight Clik! drive is designed to be an ideal storage companion for today's HPCs. With the potential to connect to virtually any portable digital or desktop product, customers will be able to easily share information between products, using 40 MB Clik! disks. The Clik! drive is also designed to offer users the potential to easily share information between products and synchronize it back to a desktop computer.

Iomega's Clik! Mobile Drives are expected to be available in the U.S. in late fourth quarter of 1998 or first quarter of 1999 for an estimated retail price of $199 (U.S.). A lightweight, low-cost OEM version of the drive, ideal for inclusion in portable digital products such as handheld personal computers, digital cameras and other handheld devices, is expected to be available in 1999.

Microsoft Windows CE 2.0 The Compaq C-Series line supports Microsoft's Windows CE operating system, providing automatic and continuous synchronization of all personal information from the C-Series to the base PC through ActiveSync technology. Other key applications include Pocket Outlook, Pocket Internet Explorer, and Pocket versions of Excel, Word, and PowerPoint as standard applications on the C-Series.

Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners. Customer support and information about Compaq and its products can be found on their Web site at http://www.compaq.com.

Iomega Corporation manufactures and markets the award-winning Zip, Jaz and Ditto drives and disks that help people to organize, manage, create, exchange and share their important information. Used in homes, businesses, government, education and by creative professionals everywhere, Iomega storage solutions are the enabling technologies preferred by millions. The Company can be reached at 1-800-MY-STUFF (800-697-8833), or on their Web site at http://www.iomega.com.