TRG Announces the TRGpro Handheld Computer
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — October 18, 1999 — In a move to facilitate deployment of configurable handheld computers for business use within corporations, TRG Products, Inc., today announced the TRGpro(TM) handheld computer.
TRG is the first company to offer a tailorable, enterprise-strong Palm OS (R) handheld which features industry-standard CompactFlash(TM) (CF) memory expansion and additional input/output (I/O) connectivity without disrupting the form factor or ease-of-use that have made Palm Computing(R) the market leader today.
Unique built-in TRG enhancements remove problems that have hindered transition of these small computers in business settings from cool productivity tools to serious business tools. While the TRGpro handheld computer supports the Palm(TM) desktop software and third party applications consumers love, it is the only total solution to offer corporate Information Technology managers a combined hardware and software system. One that can facilitate the development and installation of applications, update them from remote locations and ease general corporate angst by safeguarding critical corporate information and data, even in the unhappy event of a long-term power shortage.
"We have heard the consistent message from our enterprise customers and prospects that they need the productivity offered by the Palm platform, and new ways to apply and manage them within a corporate environment," said Ernie Rudolph, president of TRG Products. "With TRGpro, we will deliver customized variations to meet very specific corporate customer requirements, supply software to facilitate their deployment across departments and provide technical support for design and implementation."
Base Configuration
The base configuration of the enterprise-strength TRGpro handheld includes 8MB RAM, 2MB Flash Memory, Palm software compatibility and support for external Palm III(TM) and Palm IIIx(TM) accessories. The new TRG computers with this base configuration can be ordered one-at-a-time, direct from the TRGpro website: www.trgpro.com, for $ 329. This configuration will be available by the end of 1999.
Versatility of the CompactFlash Standard
CompactFlash is the world's smallest removable device for mass storage and input/output devices like modems and serial cards. CF(TM) cards weigh about half an ounce and are the approximate size of a matchbook. The CF slot opens the Palm platform to a score of commercially available, industry-standard I/O device modules. No other Palm product offers corporations the versatility that comes from CF and the immediate availability of add-ons to tailor the TRGpro computer to do specific jobs. (For more information, visit the Compact Flash Association web site: http://www.compactflash.org/).
"Compact Flash and the Palm platform are natural partners," said Martin Reynolds, Research Fellow with Dataquest in San Jose. "The wide variety of CompactFlash cards and peripherals will make the platform more interesting in both vertical and horizontal corporate applications."
Target Markets for the TRGpro Handheld Computer
Based on inquiries from potential customers and interest in becoming beta sites, TRG expects that six vertical markets will be the first to take advantage of the TRGpro computer's capacity and versatility: health care, real estate, government, education, transportation and dispatch services.
Another huge market for the TRGpro handheld will be across all industries where corporate decision makers want to take advantage of the product's portability and ease-of-use to implement sales force automation or provide mobile professionals large amounts of information that can be referenced.
Target Customers
TRG has been in partnership with Palm Computing since 1997 and has delivered new technology to enhance the Palm OS, developed and marketed software utility packages, devised ways for users to take advantage of CompactFlash technology so that Palm power users could get the capacity they wanted, and provided technical support to Palm-compatible application developers searching for solutions. These strong company traits offer enterprise-centric Value Added Resellers (VARs) and IT/MIS management the knowledge base they require to deploy the TRGpro handheld computer across the enterprise.
New System Will Debut at PalmSource '99
The new TRGpro handheld computer system will have its public debut Oct. 19 – 22 at PalmSource(TM) '99, Palm's developer conference in Calif. at the Santa Clara Convention Center. During the conference, TRG will provide a Software Development Kit (SDK) for software and application developers interested in implementing TRG's own CFpro(TM) Application Programming Interface (API) and a Hardware Developer's Kit (HDK) that will spell out the unique capabilities of the new handheld system.
About TRG
TRG Products, Inc., a privately owned company headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, the heart of the Silicon Prairie, has partnered with Palm Computing since 1997, and announced this month their agreement with Palm to be a licensee of the Palm OS. It is the only company to date to design, develop and deliver additional memory capacity and technology available on Palm platform products (including the IBM WorkPad) based on industry-standard CompactFlash Technology. Since 1997, TRG's Internet sales@trgnet.com or visit the new web site that will go live on Oct. 19: www.trgpro.com.
Palm Computing and Palm OS are registered trademarks and Palm, PalmSource, PalmPilot, Palm III and Palm IIIx are trademarks of Palm Computing, Inc. or 3Com Corporation. TRGpro, SuperPilot, xtra xtra Pro and FlashPro are trademarks of TRG Products. The CFA is a licensee of the CompactFlash trademark.
CONTACT:
Breakthru Communications
Judy Diaz, 650/306-4005
jdiaz@breakthrucom.com