News release

Arizona State University MBA High Technology Program Equips Students with Compaq iPAQ Pocket PCs

With time management and access to anytime, anywhere information becoming a prerequisite for earning advanced degrees, graduate students in the ASU MBA High Technology Program at Arizona State University have been issued award-winning Compaq iPAQ Pocket PCs.

Students in the two-year, internationally ranked ASU MBA program are being equipped with Compaq iPAQ Pocket PCs to use as personal productivity tools, and as a means to better communicate and collaborate on projects required for an advanced degree. The powerful handheld computers are being distributed to first-year graduate students and are pre-loaded with course syllabi, contact information for faculty and staff, an academic calendar, the graduate admission packet and Microsoft® Pocket application software. ASU selected the Compaq iPAQ for its mobility, functionality and versatility.

"We believe it is important to expose our MBA students to the latest technology and to continually integrate new technologies into our curriculum," said Larry E. Penley, dean of the College of Business, Arizona State University.

"The ASU MBA Program is recognized around the world as a top program that delivers cutting-edge information, and the integration of the Compaq iPAQ in the ASU MBA High Technology Program will only increase its reputation for technology leadership," Penley said.

ASU has been a longtime Compaq customer, and throughout the campus in many different departments Compaq desktops, notebooks, StorageWorks technology and industry standard ProLiant servers are being used.

Most students in the ASU MBA program already use a notebook computer to manage their course work and a majority work full-time at companies such as Intel, Motorola and Honeywell. Also, many students in the program already have advanced degrees. The chief goal of the program is to prepare students by developing the managerial skills required to manage or direct a department or area.

"The iPAQ Pocket PC is a tremendous device for helping students keep their information, their contacts, their wireless communications capabilities and the Internet content with them all the time, as close as their shirt pocket," said Brian K. Boyd, faculty director of the ASU MBA High Technology Program.

ASU MBA High Tech students are required to complete an intensive 10-month applied project with a focus on new product development. This involves problem solving, cross-team communication and project management. Boyd said the Compaq iPAQ is an excellent tool to facilitate this kind of information exchange.

"Across the country, institutions of higher education are experiencing a growing demand for access to custom information whenever and wherever students want it, and that has propelled the phenomenal success of the Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC," said Mike Humke, director of Higher Education for Compaq. "Compaq is working to simplify and mobilize the computing experience for demanding educators and savvy students who need anytime access to information."

In addition to creating Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents, downloading music, and viewing and editing streaming video and audio, students can use the iPAQ Pocket PC to organize and prioritize their schedules and work loads. With an Expansion Pack and a wireless PC card, students, faculty and administration also are able to do everything from communicating wirelessly to surfing the Internet.

Arizona State University is the third largest public university in the United States. The main campus is located in Tempe, AZ. Founded in 1885, ASU enrollment exceeds more than 44,000 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. For more information about the ASU MBA program, see www.cob.asu.edu/mba.

Company Background

Founded in 1982, Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) is a leading global provider of enterprise technology and solutions. Compaq designs, develops, manufactures and markets hardware, software, solutions and services, including industry-leading enterprise storage and computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, communication products, and desktop and portable personal computers that are sold in more than 200 countries. Information on Compaq and its products and services is available at http://www.compaq.com.