DAT Group Agrees to Acquire Synchronica

Released on = April 6, 2005, 1:17 pm

Press Release Author = Carsten Brinkschulte

Industry = Telecommunications

Press Release Summary = Investment will accelerate development of device management and data synchronization for mobile operators and device manufacturers.

Press Release Body = Berlin/London, April 4, 2005 - DAT plc announced that it has acquired Synchronica, the German specialist for mobile synchronization and device management. Under the terms of the agreement, DAT Group plc will acquire all of the shares of Synchronica Software GmbH and all 3rd party rights to the products for a total transaction value of EUR 1.35 million.

Synchronica will continue to operate under the current management as a separate entity and will continue to develop and offer the Synchronica SyncML Gateway and Device Management Server products. Under the new ownership, Synchronica will accelerate product development of it's flagship products extending its leadership in the mobile synchronization and device management market.

"This is a very positive news for Synchronica, our customers and partners, as Synchronica will continue it's successful strategy - only much faster and stronger" said Carsten Brinkschulte, Founder and Managing Director of Synchronica. "We are excited to join DAT Group plc which has an excellent track record in the mobile industry, a strong management team and complimentary products".

Synchronica has developed the market-leading SyncML Gateway which enables over-the-air synchronization of corporate Email, Calendar and Contacts with more than 150 SyncML-enabled mobile phones. Unlike competing solutions, the Synchronica SyncML Gateway has "zero footprint", does not require installation of plug-ins or adaptors behind the corporate firewall and works with built-in SyncML clients of
mobile phones from leading vendors such as Nokia, SonyEricsson and Siemens.

The Synchronica SyncML Device Management Server provides automated device diagnosis and repair including over-the-air firmware update based on the industry standard SyncML. It has been proven in live operation with a major mobile phone manufacturer which is the world's first live carrier-grade implementation providing SyncML-based
firmware update. Mobile operators and device manufacturers can drastically reduce support costs and improve customer satisfaction by intruducing automated hotline systems using remote device management and firmware update.

Commenting on the transaction, David Hayes, DAT's Chief Executive, said "There is clear market demand for SyncML data synchronization and a large potential for SyncML device management. Synchronica brings DAT a suite of well regarded, live products which significantly extend our reach and addressable market. The acquisition will
help us to address, immediately, an area of growing importance for many of the large mobile phone operators - active data synchronisation and device management".

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

About Synchronica
Synchronica (http://www.synchronica.com) was founded in 2004 by a team of industry experts around serial entrepreneur Carsten Brinkschulte. 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-server. Synchronica is an active member of the OMA and OTAFF standardization organizations driving the SyncML standard and interoperability of FOTA solutions.

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

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