Oracle, Wingcast In Joint Venture To Offer New Wireless Services for Cars.(Brief Article)

Oracle Corp., a provider of software for e-business and Wingcast, a joint venture of Ford Motor Co. and QUALCOMM Inc., said they have entered into a strategic alliance to jointly develop and bring to market next-generation wireless telematics services.

As part of the alliance, Oracle and Wingcast said they will immediately form an accelerated development center (ADC) in San Diego to develop, test and implement advanced telematics services. Wingcast has selected Oracle as its premier first strategic technology partner and will deliver its telematics service offerings to consumers based on Oracle's industry-leading software.

Oracle and Wingcast said they will accelerate the development of wireless applications and services that benefit consumers both inside and outside vehicles from a variety of devices and access methods, including voice.

Wingcast will launch services in model year 2003 vehicles, including Ford and Nissan vehicle lines, available to consumers mid-2002. "We think that the best wireless telematics technology will come from the Wingcast and Oracle coalition," said Larry Ellison, chairman and CEO of Oracle Corp. "That's where we're placing our bet."

"Wingcast is pleased to have Oracle as our strategic technology partner," said Harel Kodesh, president and CEO of Wingcast. "Oracle technology will allow Wingcast to accelerate consumer acceptance of telematics and will propel Wingcast to become the de facto industry leader."

Telematics integrates computing and wireless telecommunications technology with motor vehicles to enhance the safety, productivity and enjoyment of consumers in a mobile environment. International Data Corp. has estimated that the telematics market will grow to $42 billion by 2010 from $1 billion in 1998.

To drive this growing market, Oracle and Wingcast said they plan to accelerate the development of mobile applications and services that go beyond standard automotive applications. These services will offer users greater safety and security, information and entertainment applications that can be accessed anytime, from inside and outside the vehicle, from a variety of wireless access methods and devices, including voice, wireless phones, PDAs and other handheld computers.

Key categories of wireless telematics services that Wingcast and Oracle say they expect to collaborate on include: communications, infotainment/entertainment, mobile commerce and position commerce, business and personal information and safety/security. Additionally, Oracle and Wingcast plan to work together on integrated true-location services to compliment Wingcast's telematics offering.

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