Paragon Software Ltd. is approaching wireless consumers with the simple message that its FoneBook Plus product can help organize their lives by putting contact names and phone numbers on their wireless phones.
That simple idea is one the company hopes will bridge the gap between voice applications and data applications in the wireless industry. Giving customers a practical voice application that requires them to connect their phone with their computer is the first step to acquainting users with the variety of other data applications available, said Colin Calder, managing director of the year-old company.
According to Calder, market research indicates that few people actually use the memory function on their wireless phones either because they don’t know how to use it, or the keypad interface makes it too difficult and time consuming to enter more than a few numbers. Customers also get frustrated, he said, when they have to change area codes or other information or transfer contact information that already is compiled in another database.
Paragon’s product, with a suggested retail price of $35, is a software tool that maintains a database of contact names, phone numbers, fax numbers, e-mail addresses and other information. Names and phone numbers can be uploaded to the computer from the phone or downloaded to the phone from the computer, said the company.
“We make dumb phones smart,” said Calder, who noted that FoneBook Plus also can incorporate contact information from existing databases. “One hundred percent of phone users have a need for this.”
FoneBook Plus is designed to be simple, employing a user-friendly “drag-and-drop” technique to transfer information between phone and computer. From the interface, customers can pick and choose which contact names they want on a list and then download them to the phone.
The company also is touting the safety features of the product for drivers who can press one button to transmit a call rather than dialing an entire phone number while driving.
According to Calder, carriers have received the concept enthusiastically, primarily because a product that makes it easier to place calls also increases minutes of use. The product also helps build loyalty, said Calder, because once the customer begins to rely on the product, it is harder to give up.
Another factor carriers like, said Calder, is that it changes customer behavior patterns and gets them accustomed to connecting their phone to their computer.
Paragon, headquartered in the United Kingdom, shipped the first version of FoneBook Plus in June and has plans to begin shipping a second version early next year. Another version of FoneBook, which will be introduced in Europe, has a localization feature that translates the interface into different languages.
The company has partnership agreements, which include co-branding, with Aerial Communications Inc., Powertel Inc., Brightpoint Inc., Siemens Wireless Terminals and Ericsson Mobile Communications.
