MobileVillage, Dec. 28, 2006 -- Following is a roundup of recent enterprise mobile software announcements.

SMobile Systems has released the latest version of VirusGuard, its mobile anti-virus software for RIM BlackBerry handhelds, including the new BlackBerry Pearl. SMobile says its VirusGuard for BlackBerry is currently the only anti-virus software for BlackBerry available.

VirusGuard aims to stop malware and other threats at the handset, rather than requiring IT administrators to enforce strict device capability limitations, such as prohibiting the downloading of third-party applications onto the device. The software continuously scans for malicious content, both on-demand and on- access - and alerts users to any potential vulnerability. Updated virus definitions can be downloaded over-the-air to offer complete protection against the latest threats. All activity is logged in the application's log files, recording the date and time of any scan performed, along with any virus activity detected and resolved during a scan.

SMobile's VirusGuard for BlackBerry is available for personal, enterprise, and government use. Costs start at US $30 for a one-year subscription, and volume pricing is available. For more information, see smobilesystems.com, or the company's summary page on MobileVillage.

Sybase iAnywhere today announced version 3.0 of RFID Anywhere, its software for developing and managing sensor network applications including radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions. New features in version 3.0 include support for Active RFID technology including RF Code, Identec and Axcess; support for real-time location systems (RTLS) including Ekahau and AeroScout; enhanced mobile device architecture including support for handheld, forklift and PCMCIA card readers; additional enterprise messaging connectors including JMS and IBM WebSphere MQ; and improved printing capabilities including a new label designer and foreign language fonts.

Version 3.0 also adds a new Location Information System that integrates and combines a variety of sensor technologies to locate and track assets. The system can calibrate locations and associate fixed data sources with coordinates to provide location data. It can also store, query and represent location of assets graphically or via reports. The system has a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) to enable information to be accessed by any application via web services, and has alerting capability so information can be 'pushed' when user-defined alert conditions are met.

For more information, see ianywhere.com. For more information on iAnywhere, or the company's summary page on MobileVillage.

Synchronica released version 1.3 of its MobileManager device management software. According to the company, version 1.3 extends existing support for Windows Mobile and Pocket PC devices to include support for Series 60, 80 and 90 Symbian Smartphones. The latest version also adds more management functions to support new device features such as the latest Windows Mobile 5.0 AKU updates, with advanced security, device querying and reporting capability.

Designed as a self-care facility for businesses to enable them to configure, manage and secure employees' smartphones over the air (OTA), Mobile Manager can also be used by mobile operators and application service providers (ASPs) to manage subscribers' phones. Version 1.3 expands the number of mobile phone settings that can be remotely configured and queried and increases the level of detail for reporting purposes. The software has a graphical user interface with a step-by-step wizard enabling administrators of all levels to manage a fleet of devices without intensive training.

Mobile Manager 1.3 allows administrators to query devices and display parameters in a web browser for remote diagnosis. Administrators can now remotely set 802.11 WLAN settings, remove specified email accounts or web favorites from a device or group of devices, retrieve contact lists and extend the list of emergency numbers that can be called if the device is locked - to include a corporate help desk number for example. Administrators can also remotely check whether a device has received a software update file and schedule OTA software updates to minimize disruption. A new key security feature is the ability to set policy for Mobile Manager's existing lock and wipe feature which can be triggered from the device by SIM changes to protect corporate data held on mobile devices if they are stolen.

Mobile Manager 1.3 is free to existing Mobile Manager customers. New customers should see synchronica.com for pricing. For more information on Synchronica, or the company's summary page on MobileVillage.

Mi-Co has released version 6 of its Mi-Forms enterprise mobile data capture software for enterprises deploying form based data capture applications. Version 6 adds new server capabilities and the support of new platforms, including Pocket PC devices running Windows Mobile 5. The Mi-Forms Designer component integrates Microsoft Visual Studio 2005, and a new data palette concept allows designers to create forms by starting with existing data sources like an IBM Workplace Forms document, ODBC schema or XML schema, by bringing a representation of the data source directly into the Mi-Forms System.

Mi-Forms allows users to export data in a variety of formats, including XML, CSV, ODBC, Microsoft Jet, PDF, BMP and other image formats as well as InkML, the industry standard ink format. Improvements in Version 6 include the ability to write script driven datapaths on the Mi-Forms Server to access any proprietary database or any VB.NET supported file format. Data-driven workflows are now supported by Mi-Forms Client and Mi-Forms Server.

For details on Mi-Forms, see mi-corporation.com.

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