- Compiled by Gary Thayer, MobileVillage Editor

MobileVillage, March 22, 2007 -- Following is a roundup of recent announcements about mobile software for enterprise use.

Bluefire Security has upgraded its Bluefire Mobile Security VPN to version 2.7. New features include support for new Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphones, support for additional forms of authentication, support for X.509 certificates, integration with RSA SecurID software tokens, automatic configuration of perfect forward secrecy for use with all Cisco gateways, and support for Proxy Settings for the VPN network. Version 2.7 can be installed on storage cards or the device's memory, and the administrator can import and export connection profiles with the group password in an encrypted format. For more information, see www.bluefire.com, or the company's summary page on MobileVillage.

Sybase's iAnywhere today announced that it has added mobile instant messaging (IM) and presence capabilities to its Information Anywhere suite, a platform that integrates enterprise mobile email, collaboration, security, device management and enterprise applications. The new IM technology supports multiple messaging systems including IBM Lotus Sametime, Jabber XCP, Jabber Wildfire, Microsoft Live Communications Server and Reuters Messaging. It also supports public IM networks via XMPP, which includes support for Google Talk and Jabber. The new technology also provides logging and routing capabilities that ensure compliance with corporate auditing policies. The software suite supports Windows Mobile, Palm, RIM BlackBerry and Symbian mobile devices, according to iAnywhere. For additional information or a 30-day trial version, see www.ianywhere.com/mobileIM. For more information on iAnywhere, see the company's summary page on MobileVillage.

Colligo released v.2.0 of its Colligo for SharePoint collaboration software. The updated suite, which supports Microsoft Office 2007 and Windows Vista, consists of Colligo Reader for SharePoint and Colligo Contributor for SharePoint. Colligo Reader provides offline read access to SharePoint sites and is free for individual users. Contributor is designed for businesses, and adds Microsoft Outlook integration, 2-way synchronization, and new security and deployment options. Contributor 2.0 lets workers create and edit documents, forms, list items, emails, and their associated properties when working offline, and then sync their changes to the server when back online. Users can drag-and-drop emails, attachments, events, and contacts directly into SharePoint libraries, and email message fields are automatically mapped into metadata columns for easy categorization and organization, according to Colligo. Colligo Reader is free, and Colligo Contributor costs US $125. For more information or a 30-day trial, see colligo.com.

Parlano has released a mobile application for users of its MindAlign group chat software that integrates instant messaging (IM) and chat. Available for the BlackBerry, Palm and Windows Mobile devices, MindAlign Mobile allows users to use their compatible handhelds to participate in ongoing group discussions with their MindAlign (and MindAlign for Microsoft Live Communications Server) environments. Features include the capability to customize MindAlign contact and channel lists, limit the number of channels displayed on their mobile device, and also to conduct one-to-one chats with external contacts on AOL, Yahoo and MSN networks from their MindAlign environments. For security, data sent over the mobile network is encrypted. For details, see parlano.com.

Pictometry has announced it has integrated its digital, aerial oblique imagery and measuring software with Symposium's Horizon EME CAD and in-vehicle EM Mobile systems for public safety agencies. According to the companies, the combined software allows dispatchers and responding personnel to see the lay of the land before they even arrive on scene. Dispatchers using Horizon EME CAD and responding personnel using the in-vehicle EM Mobile mobile data system can switch back and forth between the traditional map view and the Pictometry view by just clicking one button. Once in Pictometry mode, users can choose what direction they want to view the address from, and what zoom level is appropriate for the detail they want to use. For more information on Horizon EME, see symposium911.com.

SalesNexus has added a powerful new mobile tool to compliment its core product line. The new mobile tool, available only to current SalesNexus Premium Edition subscribers, is a web-based contact management software program that allows wireless synchronization of contacts and calendar to Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Palm PDAs and virtually any cell phone with an address book. Once the sales rep enters new or updated information, it immediately becomes available to the rest of the sales and support staff. For more information see SalesNexus.com.

Sophos announced its Sophos Mobile Security software for Windows Mobile devices. The software aims to protect against mobile viruses and spyware threats via MMS, SMS, email, instant messaging, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It offers on- access, on-demand or scheduled scanning and detects and quarantines any mobile viruses or spyware with minimal impact on device performance. Network administrators are alerted with real-time notification of malware incidents, ensuring threat activity is monitored and neutralized, and central policies can be created and deployed to ensure consistent company-wide security, according to Sophos. The software supports Windows Mobile 5.0 for Pocket PC Edition and Windows Mobile 5.0 for Pocket PC Phone Edition. The company also says this version will also protect upcoming devices using Windows Mobile 6.0. For more information see sophos.com.

Voltage Security announced that its Voltage Security Network (VSN) virtual private networking (VPN) software is now available as a hosted software-as-a-service (SAAS) for enterprises and individuals. The hosted service costs US $8 per month. A 30-day trial is available at voltage.com.

CommuniGate and OpenHand announced a push e-mail offering for mobile operators. OpenHand has integrated its technology with the CommuniGate Pro suite for email, calendar and folder access. CommuniGate Pro offers subscribers a choice of clients – IP phones, soft clients, traditional telephony, mobile devices, browsers and IM agents – all through a single account. For details, see communigate.com.