Glenayre Technologies Inc. launched Symmetry, a PC-based intelligent agent software package provided through Infowave Software Inc. that connects Glenayre pagers to information stored on Microsoft Outlook software.
The two companies together began developing the wireless desktop extension software, then code-named Kodiak, in June. According to Glenayre and Infowave, the software will allow users to access Outlook-based information on existing one- and two-way pagers, as well as smart phones.
Glenayre is the exclusive distributor of the Symmetry software to the paging industry and also is providing it to personal communications services carriers.
Wireless carriers can market Symmetry to their subscribers, branding it as their own. A carrier-branded splash screen appears each time Symmetry is launched on the PC. Glenayre has set a suggested price point of between $20 and $30 for the package, but some carriers either may give it away or bundle it with other accessories to promote airtime use.
Once purchased, users load the software into their PCs using the package’s Wizard set-up function, which allows them to configure the software for their particular device.
The software allows any e-mail addressable wireless device to interact with Microsoft Outlook, so devices can share information like e-mail, task lists, calendar, appointments and contacts.
The package contains a screen-saver function, which recognizes when the user is away from the computer and automatically activates Symmetry if the computer has not been used for a particular period of time. There also is a remote function through which users may turn Symmetry on and off from the wireless device.
Symmetry requires no desktop synchronization with the desktop computer, according to Infowave. Any changes to the user’s Outlook information is automatically forwarded to the device.
Glenayre will compensate Infowave for the software development required in developing the solution, as well as pay a flat licensing fee for each copy of the software sold. The companies will share the marketing costs.
Additionally, Infowave demonstrated a new server technology at the Microsoft Exchange conference that reveals the company’s Wireless Application Protocol strategy. The solution, code-named Merlin, integrates WAP technology with a server back-end, allowing WAP-enabled phones to access corporate-based Exchange information.
The company expects to begin shipping the product next year. Although primarily targeted at corporate customers, the Merlin solution also may be used by carriers to provide the same ability to their corporate customers in a hosted fashion.
