Infowave: new solution suite for network OPS.

Infowave Software (TSX: IW), a provider of wireless software for mobile professionals, corporations and network operators announced recently the launch of the Infowave Mobile Application Gateway. The new wireless services platform provides network operators with the opportunity to capitalize immediately on offering wireless access to corporate information including e-mail and calendar. The Mobile Application Gateway takes advantage of Infowave's recognized expertise in wirelessly enabling existing enterprise applications and extends the capability to into a network operator environment.

"The Mobile Application Gateway suite gives network operators the opportunity to offer their corporate customers a fully branded mobile solution that is easy to try and easy to buy," said Bill Tam, Infowave's Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "The solution is designed for turnkey service activation and provides for a user-friendly, simple to install solution for business end users. This represents a ready-made service offering for a network operator's existing distribution channels and reseller partners."

In June 2002, Infowave announced a licensing agreement for Symmetry Pro with one of Asia's leading network operators, Hong Kong CSL. Available to Hong Kong CSL's subscribers, the Infowave-hosted Mobile Application Gateway solution offers real-time, secure wireless access to corporate e-mail, calendaring and contacts on a wide variety of Pocket PC and Palm handheld devices through Hong Kong CSL 1010 Office.

"Today, corporations expect sophisticated and cost-effective mobile communication solutions to help them stay ahead of the competition. 1010 Office is tailored for customers who require real-time and secure wireless access to corporate information, including email and calendar," said Tony Seeto, Director of Business Development at CSL. "1010 Office already provides corporate customers with a wide range of service offerings. By deploying Symmetry Pro, a desktop-based service, we can further enrich our service portfolios, and enable individual business customers to access corporate information instantly and economically."

Network operators today are faced with the pressure of driving revenue growth in a capital constrained environment. One of the more promising growth areas for network operators is to serve the wireless data requirements of corporate customers. By leveraging the core assets of their customer base, brand, network infrastructure and distribution network, operators are well positioned to deliver end-to-end wireless solutions.

Business-oriented solutions offer the benefits of increasing adoption of wireless data services, driving new, incremental revenue streams and differentiating from competitive offerings. It also represents an opportunity to deliver incremental value to business customers beyond basic transport services.

With the new breed of integrated wireless devices on the market, mobile professionals are expected to drive the market demand for wireless data services. This presents new opportunities for network operators to increase revenues and generate a return on their 2.5G/3G investments.

"A new wave of integrated handheld devices will soon become the cornerstone of the Network Operator's wireless data strategy," said Ron Jasper, VP of Network Operator Solutions at Infowave. "Infowave's Mobile Application Gateway suite provides network operators with the software necessary to power these devices with relevant applications and information access that a business purchaser or enterprise will need. Without these solutions, the integrated devices have limited value "out of the box".

By creating solutions that are easy for Network Operators to launch and compelling for business subscribers to adopt, Infowave can help operators deliver new sources of value, stimulate end user adoption of integrated devices and increase revenue. The Mobile Application Gateway is geared for turnkey service activation. Available in either an Infowave-hosted model or network operator deployment model, the Infowave solution can be installed quickly to support a network operator's marketing initiatives.

Infowave offers a comprehensive "Go-to-Market" solution with its Symmetry Pro and Infowave Mobile Messaging wireless e-mail and calendar offerings. These products are designed as easy to sell, "try-then-buy" products that will appeal to virtually every segment of the business market. By giving customers the opportunity to try the product first, network operators can overcome the resistance to adopting wireless data.

The Infowave Mobile Application Gateway is a wireless service platform for network operators. Available in a hosted or network operator deployed model, the Mobile Application Gateway allows network operators to provide wireless access to corporate information on a variety of handheld devices. Starting with wireless e-mail and calendar, the Mobile Application Gateway incorporates Infowave's expertise in wirelessly enabling a full range of enterprise applications. This enables Network Operators to offer complete end-to-end wireless solutions for their corporate and enterprise customers.