INNOVATIVE solutions demand unorthodox means of making an entry. And, Computer Associates Inc (CA) did it in style, calling a press conference on board the luxurious Royal Caribbean Cruise liner Enchantment of the Seas.

But it was Toronto, Canada-based cStar Technologies Inc president and chief executive Solbyung (Stella) Yoon who stole the show, spurning the podium for a walkabout show-and-tell of how non-IT devices can be brought into the IT world.

CA had chosen cStar, a leading developer of communicating control devices, as its initial development and marketing partner to deliver the Unicenter TNG Optimal Vending Solution to enable vending machines and kiosks to participate in the e-business economy.

Intelligently managed networks enable vending machine managers to perform remote diagnostics, monitor inventory levels and price changes, schedule service calls, and track real-time sales through a wireless interface or a power line carrier.

cStar's contribution to the solution includes the wireless transmission equipment embedded in the vending machines and kiosks. CA's contribution is Unicenter TNG, the management and visualization software that enables management of all traditional and non-traditional assets on the network.

CA and cStar also intend to work together to create additional solutions to monitor and manage other non-traditional IT resources such as utility meters, courier drop boxes, pipe lines, freight and forestry controls, traffic lights, ATMs and home appliances.

CA had chartered Enchantment of the Seas for its CA University, holding advanced technical education courses aboard, and to house attendees. The programme was part of CA World 2000 in New Orleans, US, earlier this month.

The demonstrations by cStar and other partners underscored how mobile/wireless and networked devices and services - including cell phones, handheld computers, satellite dishes, two-way messaging pagers, automobiles, vending machines, and even refrigerators and microwaves - can be managed for B2B (business-to-business) and B2C (business-to-commerce) transactions to give customers increased efficiency, reduced costs and new revenue opportunities.

"Virtually every appliance today has intelligence and can be network- connected," said Mr. Ken Farber, CA senior vice-president, worldwide alliances.

"Our clients are using this intelligence to dramatically enhance the value of the products and services they provide and even to create whole new e-business opportunities."

More than ever before, companies are using mobile and wireless devices to increase productivity in the e-business workforce and to expand the reach of the e-business customer and supply bases.

"In a world of wireless communication and total connectivity, management tools become critical," said Mr. James Governor, analyst, Illuminata Inc.

"CA has the infrastructure to deliver the value found in the network, and is establishing systematic broad-based partnerships to do so.