Viewing Technology Chosen For Compaq’s New Netpliance

Compaq Computer Corp. Tuesday paired IntraNet Solutions Inc.’s Outside In® viewing technology with its iPAQ Home Internet Appliance.

Financial details of the agreement were not made public.

Upon integration, Compaq’s iPAQ customers can view native files on Web sites or e-mail attachments on their iPAQ Web terminal without running the native application.

IntraNet Solutions’ Outside In Active X control for the Windows CE operating system provides instant viewing access to information created in standard business documents. The technology’s support of Windows CE enables mobile and appliance devices automatic access to business documents sent via
e-mail.

Jim Ganthier, director and general manager of Compaq’s Inter-Connected Products team, said his firm’s agreement with IntraNet Solutions sets the iPAQ apart from the competition and offers customers flexibility previously only available on a PC.

“The integration of the Outside In technology into the iPAQ product completes the promise of full e-mail and Web functionality by providing access to information contained in file formats not supported by the streamlined appliance,” said Scott Norder, president of the Information Exchange Division of IntraNet Solutions.

Released last week, the iPaq Home Internet Appliance uses Microsoft Corp.’s MSN online service. First shown at last year’s Fall Comdex show in Las Vegas, it comes with a passive-matrix screen, a wireless keyboard and retails at $599. Microsoft provides rebates ranging from $100-$400, depending on a customers’ contract length.

For IntraNet Solutions, the play is the latest by the company, which specializes in intranet and extranet solutions, since upgrading its best-selling Xpedio Content Management system last week.