Synchronica Agrees to Purchase Substantially All Assets of Weblicon Technologies AG

Released on = May 12, 2005, 10:29 am

Press Release Author = Carsten Brinkschulte

Industry = Telecommunications

Press Release Summary = Transaction adds a complete SyncML client portfolio and allows Synchronica to present the most comprehensive offering of SyncML technology ranging from mobile data synchronization to device management and firmware updates.

Press Release Body = Berlin/London, May 13th, 2005 - Synchronica Software GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DAT Group PLC, announced today that it has acquired substantially all operating assets and intellectual property of Weblicon Technologies AG for approximately EUR 163.000 in cash. Following a competitive bidding procedure concluded in April 2005 under the supervision of the insolvency lawyer handling the receivership of Weblicon, the offer from Synchronica was selected as the best offer for Weblicon's assets. The transaction has been approved
by the bankruptcy court making Synchronica the single legal owner of the intellectual property of Weblicon Technologies AG.

"This transaction marks a next step in the consolidating market of mobile data synchronization and device management. We believe that Synchronica is now in a unique position offering a complete portfolio of SyncML technology unmatched by the
competition. We are looking forward to translate this into commercial success in the marketplace." said Carsten Brinkschulte, Managing Director of Synchronica Software GmbH and CTO of DAT Group PLC. "We are committed to working closely with existing Weblicon customers and partners to offer support for existing installations and a roadmap to the Synchronica SyncML Gateway".

The Synchronica SyncML Gateway enables mobile synchronization of groupware systems such as Microsoft Exchange with SyncML-enabled mobile phones from leading manufacturers such as Nokia, SonyEricsson and Siemens. The SyncML Gateway can be installed in less than 30 minutes and provides over-the-air synchronization of Email, calendar, contacts, tasks and notes with any SyncML-enabled mobile phone. The Synchronica SyncML Gateway can also be deployed in the datacenter of mobile
operators offering a central system for wireless synchronization to business users. Thanks to its unique architecture, the SyncML Gateway works without requiring an installation of adaptors behind the corporate firewall.

The addition of the Weblicon SyncML Client portfolio is extending the reach of the Synchronica SyncML Gateway to desktop systems and PDAs which are not originally SyncML-enabled. By installing a SyncML Client, these desktop PCs and PDAs can now also synchronize contacts, tasks and notes with the Synchronica SyncML Gateway. The Weblicon SyncML clients present the most comprehensive suite of SyncML clients available on the market including support for Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express,
Lotus Notes, Apple MacOS X, Palm, PocketPC and Microsoft Smartphone.

"I believe that the Weblicon SyncML Clients are a perfect addition to the Synchronica SyncML Gateway. We are now able to offer a complete end-to-end
synchronization solution with a broad range of supported devices covering nearly 100% of all mobile phones and desktop systems." said Carsten Brinkschulte. "I am pleased to have the excellent technology we created at Weblicon integrated into
Synchronica - it’s a full circle closed."

About Weblicon

Weblicon Technologies AG (http://www.weblicon.net) – was established in June 2000 in Berlin as a startup backed by venture capital and a founding team around Carsten Brinkschulte. Weblicon was a technology supplier with focus on personal information management (PIM) and SyncML synchronization software for enterprises, portals, ISPs, ASPs and Telcos. The company received a total of EUR 5.4 million venture capital until late 2003 and realized substantial track-record with international customers
and partners such as Mobilkom Austria, Debitel/Midray, Westel, Sun Microsystems and
Strato AG.

About Synchronica

Synchronica Software GmbH (http://www.synchronica.com) was founded in March 2004 by a team of industry experts around serial entrepreneur Carsten Brinkschulte after he left his previous company in October 2003. Synchronica won significant contracts with leading device manufacturers and was profitable from day one. Focused on development of mobile synchronization and device management software, the company
aims to become a leading provider of SyncML solutions for device manufacturers, mobile operators and corporates. The founders have a strong track-record of building lead-edge technology products in the wireless space including the launch of the world's first SyncML FOTA server. In April 2005, DAT Group PLC agreed to acquire Synchronica which is now operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary.

About DAT

DAT (LSE: DA.) provides solutions for Mobile Operators, Manufacturers and Retailers to reduce costs in the provisioning and management of converged mobile devices and to increase service revenues through an enhanced user experience. DAT’s unique expertise in smart devices across all platforms and ability to provide rapid custom solutions based on its market-leading over-the-air (OTA) delivery platform has resulted in the deployment of DAT’s solutions across major Operators, Manufacturers
and Enterprise organisations worldwide. With unrivalled experience and understanding of emerging mobile technology and device provisioning processes, DAT provides its customers with both the insight and tools for managing the associated costs and consumer satisfaction issues. For more information visit http://www.datgroup.com

About SyncML

SyncML is the open standard that drives data mobility by establishing a common language for communications between devices, applications and networks. The foundation of the SyncML open standard ensures a consistent set of data that is
always available on any device or application, any time. Sponsored by Ericsson, IBM, Lotus, Matsushita, Motorola, Nokia, Symbian and others, the SyncML initiative accelerates the development and market success of SyncML technologies. Further information about the SyncML initiative is available at
www.openmobilealliance.org/syncml

Web Site = http://www.synchronica.com

Contact Details = Synchronica Software GmbH
Nicole Meissner
+49-173-6069160
nicole@synchronica.com

DAT Group PLC
Tavistock Communications
Simon Hudson/Clemmie Carr
Tel: +44 20 7920 3150