Re Agreement
RTS NetWorks Group PLC
26 June 2001
26 June 2001
RTS NetWorks Group PLC
('RTS Networks' or 'the Group')
The Board of RTS NetWorks, provider of next-generation e-
and m-business solutions, announces the creation of a
common Mobile Application Framework and a cross-selling
agreement with Colony101, AB.
RTS Networks and Colony101, the privately held Swedish
based consortium of service companies specialising in the
telecoms sector, are both leading developers of fixed and
mobile business applications. The Board of RTS Networks
believes that this strategic alliance will further
consolidate the Group's position as an industry leader in
the high-growth mobile/multi- channel market.
RTS Networks and Colony101 will combine technology
assets, resources and skills to create a common Mobile
Application Framework, that each will market and sell in
their respective territories. This will accelerate the
development of tested products and solutions for the
business and public sector markets.
The Board of RTS Networks believes that this agreement
will improve revenues and profitability as of the second
half of 2001. Applications built on the Mobile
Application Platform are expected to begin to generate
revenues in 2001, and should generate significant
revenues during 2002.
'Multi-channel' refers to the technical environment that
is increasingly central to business and social activity
where information and services are delivered to
companies, consumers and other users over PCs, PDAs,
mobile phones and other devices, in a flexible,
coordinated way. Multi-channel development requires
competence in existing and emerging wireless
technologies, as well as more 'traditional' Internet,
database and network skills.
RTS Networks has an established presence in Finland, the
UK, France and the US as a designer of fixed and wireless
applications. Colony101 is an industry leader in Sweden,
with offices in Stockholm, Sundsvall, Lulea, Boden, Umea
and also in Frankfurt, Germany.
The alliance will strengthen the competence and
experience of the two companies in a wide number of
areas, including browser technologies (e.g. Wap), push
technologies, SMS, mobile payment, and GPS (satellite
positioning). Mobile business applications over 2.5 and
3G (third generation) networks will require a mastery of
these different technologies.
Successful working applications already built by the two
companies include:
- RTS Networks's Wireless Investor, providing stock
market information and investor services over Java based
handheld devices, including the Nokia 9210 recently
presented jointly with Nokia at the JavaOne trade show
in San Francisco
- Mobile retail applications, using GPS, and mobile
payment applications, built by Colony101 and
- Mobile entertainment portals, including the
Distractions mobile platform.
- In the immediate term, RTS Networks and Colony 101
have identified a number of opportunities, based on the
cross-selling of existing products in each other's
markets. These will include RTS Networks's Investor
Framework and XML Site Kit, and Colony 101's ShareTime.
All products identified have been designed to enable
multi-channel usage.
Colony101 COO, Lennart Lummi, observed: 'This is an
opportunity to boost our potential in an emerging market,
to deliver scalable, business-ready solutions ahead of
the competition'.
RTS Networks Marketing Director, David Ward Perkins,
said: 'We will be able to develop and test our solutions
with innovative businesses in the Nordic Region and the
UK. That will give us a solid platform from which to
launch products to the rest of Europe and to North
America.'
Colony101 CEO, Mikael Isaksson, said, 'The products and
operations of the two companies are highly complementary,
and the commercial benefits of cooperation evident even
in the short term.'
RTS Networks Chairman, Bernard Fisher, commented: 'We
believe that this cross-selling agreement will bring
measurable benefit by the end of the year, in terms of
revenues and profitability. In addition, this commercial
agreement will provide a solid basis on which to launch
the Mobile Application Framework.'
For further information please contact:
RTS NetWorks Group + 44 (0) 207 749 5000
Bernard Fisher, Chairman
Shivaun Meehan, Communications Manager
www.rtse.com
www.colony101.com
Square Mile BSMG Worldwide + 44 (0) 207 601 1000
Nick Oborne/Sally Lewis