Ericsson and Skandia set up new company

Ericsson and Skandia set up new company Ericsson and Skandia have reached an agreement to launch a new company in the areas of security, safety and health, Alleato AB. The new company will be owned equally by the two companies, with Huddinge University Hospital holding a minority share. Alleato uses a new technology for offering services globally within the areas of security, safety and health. The technology aims at enabling people to carry on living at home throughout all life's different phases. Alleato will also offer new health and medical care solutions. The services within the security and safety area include remote-controlled locking devices and doors, fire alarms, burglar alarms and moisture sensors. Within the area of health, Alleato offers simpler forms of telecare, the use of medical indicators, security services and home-care support for the elderly. Huddinge University Hospital, which will hold a minority share, can supply the new company with both knowledge and access to an environment where new solutions for the health care of the future can be developed. Alleato, which was initiated and supported by Ericsson Business Innovation and further developed in cooperation with Skandia, uses a technology which is based on standardized and open platforms. This means that customers who purchase Alleato's services do not need to commit themselves to one single supplier. The technology is based on flexible modules enabling a smooth evolutionary development and change in the future. Alleato's infrastructure is based on the open standard Open Services Gateway initiative (OSGi). In order to provide a wider range of services, the infrastructure will be made accessible to independent service providers who will certify their services both technically and functionally. This certification will guarantee the quality of the services offered. A concept referred to as the Partner Program is being implemented within Alleato in order to support entrepreneurs to develop new innovative services. "Ericsson is one of the founders and initiators of the open standard OSGi on which Alleato's services are based,"says Kurt Hellström, President and CEO of Ericsson. "Ericsson will serve as system supplier and system integrator within Alleato. An important and growing market in the form of utility services will be created with the services that Alleato can offer." "We see this as a natural step toward the development of support and services, for example within SkandiaLifeline," says Lars-Eric Petersson, President and CEO of Skandia. "Using the latest technology and innovative savings solutions, Skandia creates opportunities for new attractive forms of financing for the different stages of life." Jan Wangärd, President of SkandiaNetline, is appointed Chairman of the new company, and President will be Bo Nielsen, who has been responsible for the project within Ericsson Business Innovation. Ericsson is the leading communications supplier, combining innovation in mobility and Internet in creating the new era of mobile Internet. Ericsson provides total solutions covering everything from systems and applications to mobile phones and other communications tools. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for customers all over the world. Read more at http://www.ericsson.com/pressroom FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Mikael Widell, Director Media Relations Ericsson Corporate Communications Phone: +46 8-719 58 89 E-mail:mikael.widell@lme.ericsson.se Birgitta Hammarström, Press Manager, Skandia, Phone: +46 8-788 2755; 070-378 2755 E-post: birgitta.hammarstrom@skandia.se Thorbjörn Ekström, vVD Huddinge Universitetssjukhus Tel: 08-585 860 60, 070-450 77 69 E-post: thorbjorn.ekstrom@staben.hs.sll.se About SkandiaNetline SkandiaNetline is a new business area which will create an effective platform for various types of benefit packages. Available benefits include disability insurance, health care insurance, competence insurance, pensions and pension administration. Ericsson Business Innovation Ericsson Business Innovation AB was formed in July 2000, and is currently establishing innovation hubs in several countries to support innovative business ideas and the development of them. The mission of Ericsson Business Innovation is to initiate and develop business ideas with potential to becomepart of Ericsson's future core business. Ericsson Business Innovation has already invested in a dozen companies including Wireless Car (a joint venture with Volvo and Telia), Connect Things Inc. (bar code technology for the Internet), and Terraplay Systems AB (systems for high-speed multi-player Internet gaming). ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/01/15/20010115BIT00510/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/01/15/20010115BIT00510/bit0002.pdf