Sybase has agreed to acquire mobile software maker Extended Systems for $71.3 million in cash to prop up its plan to let corporate employees tap into their companies' computers from the road.

Boise, Idaho-based Extended makes a patented software server called OneBridge that provides secure mobile access for applications from personal digital assistants and handheld computers.

Corporate employees can use OneBridge to access e-mail, sales force automation, customer relationship management and enterprise resource planning applications.

Extended also offers software development kits that let manufacturers and partners integrate wireless connectivity and synchronization capabilities, such as Bluetooth and OMA, into mobile devices.

Extended rounds out its portfolio with products for tapping into back-end systems. The company makes database software to help developers create business applications that can be deployed in mobile and remote environments.

Sybase has been on a quest in the past few years to strengthen its ability to enable corporate employees to tap into their company's computer systems while they are on the road.

The company will retain Extended's 180 employees in North America and Europe, where the company's business is particularly strong.

"The acquisition of Extended Systems is expected to enhance our portfolio of mobile middleware solutions and strengthen our geographic presence, particularly in Europe," said John Chen, Sybase chairman, president and CEO.

Sybase On-The-Go
The Dublin, Calif., company calls the strategy "unwired enterprise," which includes a mobile database and mobile device management software.

Should the deal close in the fourth quarter as expected, Sybase will integrate Extended into its iAnywhere Solutions subsidiary, which includes the popular AvantGo mobile Internet service.

The iAnywhere subsidiary bought AvantGo back in December 2002 to target wireless middleware for mobilizing Web content. More importantly, it let Sybase expand its footprint in the B2B mobile market with the addition of AvantGo's offline Web capabilities and the popular premium MyAvantGo service.

The mobile middleware subsidiary finally gave AvantGo a facelift in January 2005.

One key (and long overdue) update to AvantGo improved wireless synchronization. In the age of smartphones, when even many basic PDAs and cell phones can access the Internet, the service's reliance on desktop synchronization had quickly become outdated for many mobile device users.

Specifically, AvantGo's upgraded service offered abbreviated sync times and minimized wireless costs by letting users select the channels they wished to sync; surf the Web using AvantGo from a new section of the homepage; and browse and search all 1200+ AvantGo channels while connected in real-time.

At the time of the upgrade, AvantGo Product Manager John Asmussen told PDAStreet the company wanted to refresh the user experience to reflect changes to mobile space in general. While users could still sync and go, they could also access and browse the network and the Internet in general more efficiently.

He asserted, "The next-generation AvantGo delivers an unparalleled mobile content experience. Smartphone and wireless PDA users will find added convenience and functionality, and all users now have the opportunity to explore and personalize the service to a greater degree."

Other Acquisitions
Sybase embarked on its unwired enterprise path in November 2003 with chipmaker Intel onboard as a major supporter. The company has since cemented its plan with a modest acquisition spree.

In May, Sybase moved to fortify its initiative by acquiring Avaki and ISDD.

Avaki makes integration software lets customers cull data from multiple sources, allowing developers to build applications in a service-oriented architecture (SOA) (define). ISDD makes software that indexes and queries unstructured data such as e-mail, notes, chat, photos, marketing materials and presentations.

In April 2004, Sybase bought XcelleNet, which makes software to help workers manage information from wireless devices and remote locations.

XcelleNet has two main brands, Afaria and RemoteWare. Afaria helps users provide configuration, security, and back-up management for laptops, tablets and handheld computers. The suite provides a Microsoft .NET-based console that lets employees manage activities from a browser.

It paid $95.2 million in cash.