Bridging platforms in the mobile enterprise : Firm looks to close Apple-Microsoft gap

A new application created by a San Francisco-based company pledges to give enterprise workers with Apple Inc.’s 3G iPhones mobile access to Microsoft Corp.’s Office Communication Server.
CallWave recently announced the launch of its new version of WebMessenger Mobile, an enterprise unified communications solutions for the iPhone, which has gained some traction in the enterprise market.
Microsoft’s communication platform manages all real-time communications, which includes instant messaging, presence, audio-video conferencing and Web conferences.
CallWave announced the new version of its application at Interop New York 2008, an information technology conference.
“Companies are making huge investments in Microsoft OCS,” said Greg Saiz, ClearWave director of product and marketing. “We are allowing companies to extend that platform to the iPhone. Right now, we are the only company to offer this. We are the only game in town.”
With the application, CallWave said business workers will have the same collaboration and productivity benefits out in the field that they experience in the office.
“We think this is a powerful business application for the iPhone,” Saiz said.
WebMessenger Mobile can be downloaded by users from Apple’s App Store. When the iPhone was launched earlier this summer, it was aimed at consumers, but more businesses are starting to take a look at the touch-screen device.
A survey by ChangeWave that was released earlier this month shows that the iPhone is starting to gain momentum in the smartphone enterprise sector. Of 2,000 information-technology professional surveyed, 17% said they planned to purchase iPhones for their corporations in the fourth quarter. The percentage is up four points from a survey done earlier in the year. Almost 20% said the release of the iPhone has made their company more likely to purchase Apple products in the future. Research In Motion Ltd. is the handset leader for the enterprise sector.
Saiz said he is noticing that iPhones are penetrating the business market and as more workers use the device, it will gain acceptance by the business community.
“There is viral momentum right now,” he said. “It is gaining credibility in the business class.”
CallWave’s WebMessenger federates instant messaging, Internet Protocol telephony and presence technology across platforms, allowing mobile professionals to work on any service in a secure manner. In addition to the iPhone, CallWave extends Microsoft’s OCS out to BlackBerry and Nokia Corp. smartphones.