MobileVillage, Nov. 17, 2006 -- Following is a roundup of recent enterprise mobile software announcements.

Synchronica has updated its Mobile Manager security and device management software that offers over-the-air (OTA) management of Symbian smartphones. Small and medium size enterprises can opt to purchase a fully or part-hosted OTA device management service from service providers, rather than buying the software outright. For details, see synchronica.com or see the company's summary page on MobileVillage.

AirClic has released version 5 of its AirClic MP platform for automating and tracking mobile business processes using ordinary cell phones. Version 5 provides improved reporting capabilities that enable organizations to quickly view the data in a meaningful format without having to export the data into another system. Also new is the AirClic Connect2 module, which provides workers the option to synchronize data from a cell phone directly onto a PC and the back-end server. This capability provides field workers with an alternative solution for sharing data collected on a mobile device when a wireless network is unavailable, says AirClic. For more details, see airclic.com or see the company's summary page on MobileVillage.

Sybase's iAnywhere has released Afaria 5.5, the latest edition of its device management and security software. Version 5.5 includes new capabilities to initially provision devices over wireless networks, expanded device security functionality, remote control for Windows Mobile devices, and expanded Patch Manager capabilities. Afaria Security Manager has also been updated to include FIPS 140-2 compliant encryption modules. Other new features in Afaria 5.5 include: FIPS 140-2 encryption, Security Manager usability improvements, a security manager for Windows Update, wireless device provisioning, Remote Control for Windows Mobile devices, a Patch Manager update, and interoperability with push email solutions, including the company's OneBridge 5.5 mobile enterprise email and applications software. OneBridge 5.5 supports more than 130 mobile devices, simplifies the evaluation process for businesses, and provides administrators and users with enhanced security, management and email capabilities, according to iAnywhere.

Both Afaria and OneBridge are core components of the recently announced Information Anywhere Suite, a portfolio of products which addresses converging enterprise requirements for mobile email, security, device management and application enablement. For quick information about Afaria, OneBridge, and other iAnywhere products, see the company's summary page on MobileVillage.

Check Point Software has released SecureClient Mobile, a Windows Mobile add-on for its Windows based security software. The software maintains continuous VPN connectivity with Check Point VPN-1 and Connectra gateways when roaming across networks, according to Check Point. Other SecureClient Mobile features include location-independent network access, device security, automatic data delivery and centralized management and policy control capability. SecureClient Mobile works with all Windows Mobile Pocket PC 2003/SE and Windows Mobile 5.0 devices, according to Check Point. Pricing is based on the number of licenses with US $40 per client for a 1,000 user perpetual license. It is supported as an add-on for the company's VPN-1 gateway, and as a new feature for the recently released Connectra NGX R62. For more information, see checkpoint.com.

Destiny Wireless, known for its Anoto digital pens and paper to capture forms, announced a location-aware digital pen and paper service with GPS that can locate mobile workers when they have completed a task or job and automatically navigate them to their next job. With GPS capability, workers can receive job information wirelessly on a BlackBerry, Java, Symbian, or Windows CE device, find a customer site using satnav, then mark the job as complete by filling a form and transmitting the captured data back to the office. The standard service costs about $20 per user per month, plus a small fee for each transaction processed. The GPS service is extra. For more information, see destinywireless.co.uk.

Exsys has ported its Corvid expert systems software to run on HP iPaq Pocket PCs. The software also can run on about 40 other handhelds that rely on the Document Type Definition subset of IBM WebSphere's Java Virtual Machine. The service can be used for onsite questionnaires and site surveys useful to sales reps, technicians, or field repair workers. For details, see exsys.com.

NetOp Tech announced the U.S. availability of its NetOp Mobile device management software for remotely controlling and supporting Windows Mobile devices over cellular and other networks. NetOp Mobile can be used for securely transferring files and updating software, as well as for messaging and technical support. Field workers can request help with a single button, NetOp Tech says. The software works with mobile devices running Windows Mobile 5.0 and Windows CE 2003, and is remotely controlled using the company's NetOp Remote Control Guest software, which runs on Windows, Linux, Solaris, and OS/2. NetOp says its software is highly scalable; phone book entries and concurrent connects are limited only by disk space and memory, respectively. For more information, see netoptech.com.

SYWARE released version 10 of its Visual CE mobile database development tool that the company says enables people to create Windows Mobile based applications with little or no programming. Released in conjunction with Visual CE 10 is Manage CE, which allows an administrator to configure and reconfigure remote devices from a central site. Users only need to perform routine synchronization, according to Syware. When a device is lost or stolen, an administrator can remotely purge applications and files. Also new to version 10 is a macro editor, which allows even non-programmers to add high-level logic to their applications by guiding them through the process of creating well-structured, well-documented macros, according to Syware. Macros can now be totally behind the scenes, kept tidy and unobtrusive, yet still easily viewed, called and edited.

Visual CE 10 apps can be created for any Windows Mobile, Windows CE, Pocket PC, or Pocket PC Phone Edition handheld. Visual CE Personal Edition, with full forms design, relational database, and synchronization capabilities, costs $129, while the Professional Edition, which includes all the features of the Personal Edition as well as royalty-free distribution rights, is $399. Visual CE is also sold as one component of the company's Mobile 360 Suites. For details, see syware.com.

VolumeShield released v2.5 of its AntiCopy Enterprise Edition software, which aims to blocks the unauthorized use of portable storage devices and removable media, such as USB memory sticks, External Hard Drives, PDAs, iPods, and CD/DVD Burners. AntiCopy Enterprise Edition also enables central definition and administration of device usage policies and monitoring of device access activity. AntiCopy Enterprise Edition v2.5 is priced at US $19.95 per workstation. To learn more or for a free Personal Edition of AntiCopy, see volumeshield.com.