InformationWeek: The Business Value of Technology

October 16, 2000

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Software Speeds Wireless Messaging

WAPmail Direct provides embedded WAP support to eliminate protocol conversions

By Aisha M. Williams

More on messaging:

Wireless Messaging Lets United Be Proactive (9/25/00) Network Computing: No-Fail E-Mail (9/4/00) TechWeb: No End In Sight For IM War (8/17/00)

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irapoint Inc. last week launched software designed to provide companies with faster access to wireless messaging services, regardless of the wireless protocol they're using.

Called WAPmail Direct, the software has been embedded onto Mirapoint's Internet Message Server appliance, a plug-and-play E-mail server. The software gives users a single in-box to access all their E-mail accounts and other messages from a cellular telephone, personal digital assistant, or other handheld device.

Typically, wireless devices using the Wireless Application Protocol require messages be converted from protocols used for wired communications, such as the Post Office Protocol or the Internet Mail Access Protocol. To do that, companies have to invest in additional hardware and software, says Satish Ramachandran, chairman and CEO of Mirapoint. WAPMail Direct provides embedded support for WAP so messages are sent "from server to device and from wired to wireless in one standard format without the usual conversions," Ramachandran says.

Dana Gardner, an analyst at the Aberdeen Group, a market-research firm, says WAPmail Direct is a relatively risk-free way for companies to try wireless technology without having to invest heavily in consultant and systems integration fees. Gardner says that while the system isn't completely plug-and-play, "it is easy to get up and running, and it plugs into many [messaging] services quickly."

Incyte Pharmaceuticals in Palo Alto, Calif., is considering adding wireless access to its messaging systems, but there isn't big demand at the moment. Still, software that doesn't require a lot of IT attention or investment is appealing, says Dave Conde, enterprise applications manager for Incyte.

Other WAPmail Direct features include content filtering and sup-port for the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol.

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