Microsoft and Infowave team for wireless data solutions for mobile network operators.

Infowave Software (TSE: IW), a provider of wireless software for mobile professionals, corporations and network operators announced recently that it will collaborate with Microsoft Corporation to develop and market solutions for mobile network operators based on the Windows Powered Microsoft mobile device platforms. Infowave and Microsoft will work together to offer mobile operators complete solutions focused on Microsoft Windows Powered devices and designed to increase subscriber adoption and consumption of wireless data.

In the first stage of development, Infowave will add support for the Windows Powered Smartphone to its Symmetry Pro desktop personal e-mail solution, its Infowave Mobile Messaging server product and its Mobile Application Gateway solution suite for mobile network operators.

"Mobile operators now have another powerful reason to offer Microsoft mobile devices like Smartphone and Pocket PC to their business users," said Howard Gefen, Director of Mobile Operator Solutions Development, at Microsoft. "The combination of Microsoft Windows Powered devices and this complete solution from Infowave creates a compelling service for mobile professionals and allows them to stay connected with their business critical information such as email."

Microsoft and Infowave will cooperate on joint marketing and sales initiatives into the mobile operator community. In addition, Infowave will make its Symmetry Pro product available to Microsoft device original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

"Together we've created a solution that meets a critical need for mobile network operators. It allows them to bring a truly valuable data service to their subscribers quickly and easily," said Thomas Koll, Chairman of the Board at Infowave Software. "We are focused on creating solutions that deliver on the most important business objectives wireless operators have today--delivering solutions that subscribers want, creating a differentiable user experience and driving data revenues."

"Now, more than ever, it's essential for professionals on the move to have mobile access to their corporate e-mail. Often, it is their critical link to the company, when away from the office," said Dr. Tony Seeto, Director of Business Development at CSL, a leading mobile operator in Hong Kong. "CSL was the first operator in Asia to offer Infowave's Symmetry Pro to our customers, as part of CSL's 1O1O Office solution suite based on the Pocket PC Phone Edition. This solution provides professionals on the move with a low cost and easy to use mobile email access. When Symmetry Pro is made available to Smartphone, which we have been working closely with Microsoft and Infowave, we will be able to offer our customers even more choices on mobile corporate solutions."

"Infowave has created an extremely simple try-then-buy software experience that has end-users up and running in minutes, without any IT involvement," said David Hayden of MobileWeek. "These trial products can easily be distributed by network operators and the process of converting a customer from trial to paying is completely automated. This really reduces risk and cost of sales for the operator. Infowave has created a powerful go-to-market model that recognizes the importance of the individual adopter. By striking this important partnership with Microsoft, Infowave is likely to improve acceptance of this new model with network operators."