ARMONK, N.Y.-Technology giant IBM Corp. released an important new product the company said allows wireless device users to seamlessly roam across a variety of disparate wireless networks-including wireless local area network, cellular, private mobile radio and satellite networks-all without ever turning off the device.
IBM said its new Everyplace Wireless Gateway automatically detects the most appropriate wireless network at any given time and can switch networks without the need to restart the device or the application. The product also recognizes the most appropriate time and network to transfer large amounts of data to and from the device, avoiding long downloads on slower-speed networks.
“Wireless technologies are the next logical step in e-business and there is no need for businesses to be limited to a single type of wireless network to access critical business data,” said Adel Al-Saleh, general manager of IBM’s Wireless e-business Solutions division. “With IBM’s new roaming solution data can be accessed regardless of the wireless network that is available at a given location.”
The company said the Toronto Police Service will use its new gateway to power its Enterprise Case and Occurrence Processing System, which will allow wireless devices in patrol cars to seamlessly roam between radio networks and strategically placed Wi-Fi networks.
IBM’s product comes at an opportune time, as wireless carriers across the world are looking to expand into the Wi-Fi industry. Indeed, T-Mobile USA is selling Wi-Fi access through VoiceStream Wireless Corp.’s purchase of MobileStar’s 802.11 assets.
Separate from the company’s new roaming product, IBM also announced an important partnership with mobile-commerce company Paybox.net AG. Under the teaming, IBM will integrate Paybox applications with its WebSphere platform and IBM retail solutions, and its Global Services division will combine IBM’s wireless e-business consulting, services and integration capabilities with Paybox mobile payment products. IBM will also integrate Paybox’s mobile-commerce products into its Service Provider Delivery Environment, an open-standards-based framework for wireless carrier customers.
IBM said it will sell the integrated m-commerce products to businesses including banks and retail outlets as well as wireless carriers.
