Enterprise mobile software roundup: March 1 - 20, 2006

- Gary Thayer, editor

March 20 2006 -- (MobileVillage) -- Here is roundup of noteworthy new or updated mobile business software.

AppForge announced the latest version of its mobile development application platform, Crossfire 6.0, which adds support for BlackBerry and Palm Treo devices. Blackberry support includes translation of Visual Basic .NET and C# into native J2ME applications for BlackBerry devices within Microsoft Visual Studio; BlackBerry Enterprise Server compatibility. Palm support includes support for the entire Palm Treo family, including the new Palm Treo 700w device with Microsoft Windows Mobile. Other new features include improved performance and development support for Symbian, Nokia and Palm, and the ability to debug applications directly on the desktop using Visual Studio tools. See appforge.com.

BlueTree Wireless Data released a firmware upgrade (version 2.0) for its IP and GPS Series wireless modems. The firmware adds new remote management and event reporting features as well as upgraded sensor connectivity. The software can provide the GPS content in both NMEA and TAIP, enable access to I/Os through standard automotive-style connectors, and allow the message content to be customized. BlueTree also offers software for managing its modems. See bluetreewireless.com.

Consilient unveiled Consilient Push, a push-email application for cell phones such as Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Sanyo and Samsung, as well as wireless devices including BlackBerry and Treo. Consilient Push is scalable client-server software that uses the P-IMAP (Push-IMAP) standard. Consilient's Java-based server and clients support low-end mobile phones and can be deployed on UNIX and Windows. P-IMAP allows corporate and POP3 email such as Yahoo!. Support is also planned for AOL, MSN Hotmail and Google Gmail connectivity. Consilient is priced at $3-$5 per month; see consilient.com.

Credant announced version 5.1 of its CREDANT Mobile Guardian Enterprise Edition. Version 5.1 includes the following enhancements:

• Encryption of Removable Media -- enforces the Intelligent Encryption of data moved to any removable storage device (USB 'Thumb' drives, iPODS, etc) to mitigate the risk they pose as unsecured data repositories.
• Encryption of Application Data -- enforces the encryption of data created by business applications to protect against user error or malicious action that would leave data exposed.
  
• CREDANT 2go -- enables employees to "point, click, encrypt" files for secure transfer via email, Instant Messenger, or other means.
  
• Out-of-Box Support for Two-factor Authentication -- supports RSA SecurID for Windows, IBM
  Biometric Authentication, and Smartcards.
  
• Over-the-air Deployment, Activation, 'Data Kill', and Policy Updates -- includes interoperability with 3rd party device management and synchronization providers, over-the-air activation and policy updates and immediate "Data Kill".
• Expanded platform coverage -- comprehensive platform support includes now Windows Mobile 5 and the automatic detection and provisioning of Symbian devices.
  
• Enhanced Audit and Reporting -- administrators can easily generate detailed reports on the use of mobile devices within the organization, determine if notebook or handheld computers are secured and in compliance, and export the data to third party reporting tools.

For more information see credant.com. For quick information on the company and its other software, see the company's summary page on MobileVillage.

DataViz has announced a free update to Documents To Go Premium Edition 8 with new PDF-related features. This update includes support for security-enabled PDF files, specifically RC4 encrypted, and password-protected PDF files. Encrypted PDF files can now be decrypted and viewed on the handheld or smartphone. Users of eFax.com and MyFax.com users can access faxes received from the eFax.com service and view faxes as PDF e-mail attachments.

Documents To Go Premium Edition 8 customers can download a free update to version 8.003 by visiting dataviz.com. Documents To Go Premium Edition retails for US $50 and is available directly from DataViz, as well as many retail and online stores including Office Depot, Franklin Covey, Amazon.com and Handango. Upgrade pricing of $30 is available for those that don't already own version 8.0, including those who received Documents To Go as bundled software with Palm, Sony or AlphaSmart handhelds. This upgrade is available directly from DataViz.

For quick information on DataViz and its other software, see the company's summary page on MobileVillage.

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