News release

Compaq and Shipcom Enable Fast, Easy Deployment of Enterprise Wireless Solutions

Compaq Signs Strategic Alliance Agreement With Shipcom Wireless Inc.

Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) and Shipcom Wireless, Inc., a global provider of Enterprise Mobility Solutions, today announced a strategic alliance under which Compaq will license, market and distribute Shipcom's CATAMARAN™ Multiple Application Connectivity Wireless Software as part of its new strategic Wireless Enterprise Framework.

The Multiple Application Connectivity Software provides a unique competitive advantage in its ability to quickly, easily, and cost-effectively deploy wireless extensions to enterprise applications like Siebel, SAP, and Oracle simultaneously. Companies that have invested heavily in enterprise systems are seeking new ways to improve business performance by leveraging mobile computing and communications. The Wireless Enterprise Framework can help companies get an extremely quick return on investment (ROI) by taking the abstraction, obscurity and complexity out of deploying such solutions. Shipcom, with the industry's first Mobile Business Rules Builder (patent pending), is capable of delivering wireless projects within days and without programming.

Compaq will use Shipcom's Multiple Application Connectivity Software as the core infrastructure for its Wireless Enterprise Framework. Compaq will target Global 2000 organizations that are committed to deploying the most reliable, scalable, standards based, and cost effective hardware/software wireless solutions. Solutions such as these, which normally take between 16 to 20 weeks to implement, can be integrated within three to four weeks using the Wireless Enterprise Framework.

"With its simplicity and speed of deployment, the Multiple Application Connectivity Software has garnered rave reviews with wireless and Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) experts," said Abeezar Tyebji, the CEO of Shipcom, which is headquartered in Houston. "An alliance with a highly dependable and reputed solutions partner such as Compaq would leverage the core strengths of both organizations to become the leader in the Enterprise Wireless Application Gateway (WAG) market space. The ease of integration of our Multiple Application Connectivity Software complements Compaq's strong Global Services organization, which will serve as an excellent delivery mechanism to deploy and support wireless projects globally."

Jerry Meerkatz, Compaq's vice president and general manager of Enterprise Mobility Solutions, said, "It's all about time and money. The Compaq Wireless Enterprise Framework enables customers to save lots of both. Because it's a pre-integrated pilot package, customers can deploy very quickly—and at a fraction of the normal cost. And because it's highly scalable, the pilot can be expanded into full production."

About Shipcom Wireless Inc.

Shipcom Wireless Inc. is a Houston-based corporation, which specializes in mobile enabling of Siebel, SAP, Oracle, MFGPro, and MS Exchange with WAP, Windows CE and Palm OS based devices WITHOUT PROGRAMMING. The company is well positioned in the fast growing market of Wireless Enterprise Application Integration (EAI). Shipcom has several large Fortune 500 referenceable customers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, UK, Ireland, Norway, Hungary, Poland, China, Hong Kong, Korea, and Australia. The company has been profitable in its operation since February 1997, is on a fast growth track, and expects to go public in 2003. For more information, please visit http://www.shipcomwireless.com.

About Compaq

Founded in 1982, Compaq Computer Corporation is a leading global provider of information technology products, services and solutions for enterprise customers. Compaq designs, develops, manufactures and markets information technology equipment, software, services and solutions, including industry-leading enterprise storage and computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, communication products, personal desktop and notebook computers, and personal entertainment and Internet access devices that are sold in more than 200 countries directly and through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners. Information on Compaq and its products and services is available at http://www.compaq.com.