Handmark and Rand McNally Announce Relationship

ANAHEIM, Calif., RetailVision, April 15, 2002 - Handmark, the leading developer and publisher of PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) software, and Rand McNally & Company, the world's premier provider of mapping, routing and travel solutions, today announce an agreement in principle to develop and market map and travel software for handheld devices.

The first product planned is Rand McNally StreetFinder® Deluxe Mobile Edition software. With the new, streamlined export process and street map detail for the United States all on one power-packed CD-ROM, it will be easier than ever to create personalized maps and access travel information on Palm OS® handhelds. The product is expected to be available in retail stores in June, in time for Father's Day gifts and summer vacation planning.

"In our mobile society, having reliable maps and travel information on your Palm OS® handheld is becoming essential. That's why we're pleased to be working with Rand McNally, such a well-known and trusted brand name in road travel," said August Grasis III, CEO of Handmark. "This relationship will allow Handmark to add highly popular mapping and travel information software to our product line."

"Handmark brings excellent know-how about marketing PDA software in retail and online channels, which will expand the availability of Rand McNally's travel software," said Michael K. Hehir, president and CEO of Rand McNally. "The new relationship will strengthen Rand McNally's role as America's indispensable travel guide, especially for PDA users."

StreetFinder Deluxe Mobile Edition software will include detailed street maps for the United States (AK & HI excluded), point of interest information, and routing capabilities. Users will be able to create custom maps and driving directions (Internet connection required) on a PC and export them via the HotSync® process to any Palm OS® handheld. StreetFinder® Deluxe Mobile Edition will have an estimated street price of $29.99* and will be available wherever Palm OS® handhelds are sold.

About Handmark
Handmark, Inc., is rapidly emerging as the leading publisher of consumer applications for Palm OS handheld devices. Handmark offers consumer software for Palm Powered handhelds through major retail chains in North America as well as through its web site: www.handmark.com.

Handmark software is available in the U.S. and Europe and will soon be sold in Australia. In the U.S., Handmark sells through both national and regional retail stores including: Best Buy, CompUSA, Fry's, Staples, Office Max, Office Depot, Micro Center, J&R Music World, RCS and others. Handmark software is compatible with Palm OS handheld computers from Palm, Inc., Handspring, and IBM as well as other licensees of the Palm OS platform including new devices from Sony. The company's headquarters are located at 105 East 5th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information contact Handmark at: (816) 472-7256 and on the Web at http://www.handmark.com.
* All prices are in U.S. dollars and represent estimated retail sales and/or online price.

About Rand McNally
Rand McNally & Company, founded in 1856, is America's indispensable travel guide, providing mapping, routing and trip-planning tools for the consumer, business, education and commercial transportation markets. The company produces print and electronic products featuring national and local maps for the United States and Canada, including the Rand McNally Road Atlas and Thomas Guides. Rand McNally offers trip planning on randmcnally.com and operates retail stores across the United States. For more information, call (800) 333-0136 or visit www.randmcnally.com.





This article courtesy of http://www.theobjectivist.com.
You may freely reprint this article on your website or in
your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author
name and URL remain intact.

Submit Your Article