Enterprise mobile software roundup: Jan. 16-26, 2006

- Gary Thayer, editor

Jan. 26, 2006 -- (MobileVillage) -- Here is roundup to-date of noteworthy new or updated software for mobile business users.

FileMaker has released FileMaker Mobile 8, a companion to FileMaker Pro 8 designed specifically for Palm OS and Pocket PC handhelds.

New in FileMaker Mobile 8 is the ability to synchronize with databases hosted by FileMaker Server, in addition to synchronizing handheld databases with local FileMaker Pro databases. Handheld databases can now be synchronized with databases created in FileMaker Pro 7, FileMaker Developer 7 (including runtime versions), FileMaker Pro 8, FileMaker Pro 8 Advanced (including runtime
versions), FileMaker Server 8, and FileMaker Server 8 Advanced.

Also new is six pre-designed and ready to synchronize mobile starter databases: Contact Management, Asset Management, Research Notes, Student Records, Movie Library, and Recipe Tracking.

FileMaker Mobile 8 costs US $69 or $19 for an upgrade. Current licensed users of FileMaker Mobile 7 or FileMaker Mobile 2.1 can download version 8 at filemaker.com. Volume licensing and special education pricing is also available.

HanDBase has added Series 60 smart phones support to its handheld database application. Like the Palm OS Professional Edition and Windows Mobile Professional Edition, the Series 60 version of HanDBase lets users create their own database or list application using the desktop companion software, manage their important information, and share their data with others on other PCs or handheld/mobile platforms. Users can also download other users' applications posted on the HanDBase website for free or for a cost.

The device-side component of HanDBase requires 300 Kb of available memory on device. The software is available in individual and enterprise editions at handbase.com or handango.com.

SYWARE has released Report CE 5.0, the latest update of its report writing, printing and graphing application for Pocket PC devices. Report CE 5.0 includes support for Windows Mobile 2005, and works with a variety of popular database formats, including SYWARE Visual CE, Microsoft Pocket Access, and SQL Server CE.

Other new features include support for graphing, including line graphs, bar graphs and pie charts; grouping/sub-totals; international number and currency support; and a runtime "wizard" for automatic creation of distribution files. The new graphic support allows mobile workers to print reports -- such as invoices, sales reports, bar graphs, or customer quotes -- directly from a Pocket PC, without the need to go back to the office.

Report CE operates in conjunction with Visual CE, SYWARE's database and forms builder software for Pocket PC and Windows CE devices. Data can also come from applications developed with eMbedded Visual Basic, eMbedded Visual C++, or .NET. Reports are based on Visual CE, Pocket Access, or (using SYWARE's sqlceEnable) SQL Server CE tables. For wireless access to server based data, Report CE also works with any desktop ODBC enabled table using SYWARE's mEnable.

Report CE 5.0 is available in Personal and Professional editions and can be purchased at syware.com or handango.com (personal ed. only.) Report CE Personal (US $79) is licensed for single device applications. Report CE Professional ($399) includes a royalty-free license to distribute standardized Reports.

For information on other SYWARE software, see the company's summary page on MobileVillage.

NetMotion Wireless, a provider of mobile secure remote access software, has been awarded a new patent (no. 6,981,047) by the US Patent and Trademark Office. The patent discloses, among other things, advances relating to secure data communications with a computing device that roams among Internet Protocol (IP) based data communication networks, and the use of Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). The patent is available to read at uspto.gov..

For information on NetMotion Wireless and its software, see the company's summary page on MobileVillage.

Intellisync has released Intellisync Mobile Suite for IBM Lotus Notes and Domino 7. The software allows users to send and receive Lotus Domino email, files, and data from any mobile device over the air, extending Intellisync's mobile software products that support Lotus Notes and Domino. Intellisync did not provide availability or pricing details. For more information, see intellisync.com.

In related news, Nokia announced that its mobile application platform, Nokia Business Center, will support IBM Lotus Notes and Domino servers. Nokia Business Center with Lotus Notes and Domino support is expected to be available for customers during Q1 2006.

Remoba has just launched RemoMail, an email software application targeted for wireless carriers that allows users to access email on everyday mobile phones. RemoMail users can connect to up to five of their personal and company e-mail accounts and can read, reply, forward, write, and delete emails. RemoMail supports POP and IMAP mail servers as well as web access to Exchange and Lotus Notes servers or free Web-mail accounts such as Yahoo, Google, and Hotmail. No email is stored on the phone and there is no routing of email through third-party servers.

RemoMail is available for mobile phone carriers in United States, South America, and India in English and Spanish with future plans to launch worldwide service supporting multiple languages. The retail price is US $1.59 to $1.79 per month. For more information see remoba.com.

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