Partnership between 12Planet and Bantry

Paris, December 2001 - 12Planet, a recognized leader in the field of Instant Communication platform software, and Bantry Technologies, the global secure mobile applications provider, have signed a strategic alliance in the wireless instant messaging marketplace. 12Planet customers will now be able to avail wireless extensions (mobile phone, PDA, etc.) to their instant communication on the Internet (instant messenger, chat, forum, VoIP, instant messaging platform) product portfolio.

The first released solution, VirtuoMessaging, will be available from second quarter 2002 and will enable 12Planet eLiveServer users to use their mobile devices to leverage enterprise and individuals heterogeneous information and communication systems to its fullest.

The strategic partnership will allow VirtuoMessaging licensees to reach out a wider range of Internet users (fixed and mobile). Using the most up-to-date standards and mobile technologies, the solution can be integrated seamlessly into all major GSM and 3G compliant infrastructures.

Rémy Wilders, Sales and Marketing Director of Bantry Technologies, said, "12Planet is a pioneer and world leader in instant messaging provisioning in the virtual world. This agreement provides us with a sophisticated market of both wired and wireless instant messaging users who will be able to use our global platform to communicate no matter the device used. For example a GSM phone user will be able to send and to receive messages coming from a PC. The agreement also demonstrates that Bantry Technologies is the partner of choice for leaders wanting to add mobile relevance to their successful fixed services."

Depending on the type of mobile used (WAP, J2ME, etc.), the service operator will explain (???) how the service will be offered to each user.

Arnaud Lafont, 12Planet's Chief Marketing Officer said, "After email, instant communication is the next major communication improvement in all the business process. Bantry Technologies and 12Planet alliance is the answer to the demand of service providers and corporation to create reliable, short time-to-market", compliant with J2EE architectures and open solutions to build their instant communication applications for internet, via PC and any wireless terminal: public or private instant messenger system, alert system, online assistance systems, custom interactive needs. This is a unique offer and 12Planet is very delighted to build this new generation solution with Bantry Technologies."
About 12Planet
Leadership in Instant Communication: With headquarter in Paris, France, and operations in 20 countries, 12Planet, pronounced one-to-planet," is a worldwide provider in the critical instant communication platform software market. Large and small companies alike are harnessing 12Planets instant communication software to gain vital instant communication solution to help them enhance cost-efficiency, productivity and customer relations with corporate instant messaging applications, optimize revenue with online services solutions, build their community with attractive interactive services: online conferences, chat and forums, instant messenger networks, etc. 12Planet's instant communication platform offers exceptional capabilities that provide organizations -- in virtually all facets of their operations -- with user-friendly solutions to their instant communication needs via Web and wireless.
Built for the Corporate Internet: 12Planets solution is the scalable Instant Communication software platform built for the corporate Internet: built to support any open protocol, in Java technology, J2EE compliant, guaranty a very short time-to-market and cost-efficiency solution integrated with the other element of the IT systems: database (Oracle, IBM DB2 and others), back end application server (IBM WebSphere, BEA WebLogic and others), desktop applications (Linux, Windows and Microsoft .NET based applications).
Diverse Customers and Partners Base: 12Planet's customer base cuts across industry and sector lines, with approximately 500 enterprise-class customers, including Lehman Brothers, EdF, France Telecom, Charles Schwab, Alcatel, Toyota, SelfTrade, Sony, UCLA, US Army and integrated solutions with WorldLingo and Epicentric.
12Planet Press contact:   Biliana BENLAZAAR
Tél.: + 33 (0)1 42 47 18 75
12Planet / 40bis rue du Faubourg Poissonnière / 75 010 PARIS