Palm, SAP Ally On Wireless E-Business

Handheld computer maker Palm
(Nasdaq: PALM) and international business software maker SAP (NYSE: SAP) say they’ve reached a deal that essentially puts the popular mySAP.com and its e-business applications in the hands of wireless Palm OS users.

In a joint statement made Wednesday at SAP’s conference in Orlando, Florida, the two companies promise to jointly sell and market the combined solution to their respective partners and resellers.

“We share a common vision with SAP,” says Palm CEO Carl Yankowski. “To provide people with mobile and wireless access to corporate information to enable them to be more productive and effective.”

To entice people to its new solution Palm and SAP are passing out Palm VIIx wireless handhelds preloaded with online surveys and mySAP Mobile Business to nearly 8,000 conventioneers. The prototypes included event scheduling and live messaging applications.

Ultimately using mySAP.com on Palm handhelds, the companies foresee a scenario where mobile workers will be able to wirelessly access portals, customer relationship information, supply chain information, business intelligence and other e-business applications.

“We see a great deal of market potential for solutions that combine handheld technology with corporate applications,” says Kevin Burden, an analyst at IDC.

The companies say the new alliance also paves the way for future development deals and beta testing of applications.