ATLANTA, June 18, 2001 — Today at Microsoft Tech ·Ed 2001, Paul Flessner, senior vice president of the .NET Enterprise Server Division at Microsoft Corp., announced the public availability of Microsoft® Mobile Information 2001 Server, a mobile applications server that extends Exchange Server information, corporate intranet applications and services to mobile users. Flessner was joined on the podium by Chico Jayanthan, director of Products and Services, Global Platform and Internet Services at Vodafone US, representing Vodafone UK, a participant in Microsoft’s Joint Development Program for products based on Microsoft Mobile Information Server (MIS). Earlier today, Vodafone UK announced the commercial availability of corporate wireless services powered by Mobile Information Server.
To underscore the business value of mobile data in the enterprise, Flessner also demonstrated how large enterprises can use Mobile Information Server (in conjunction with Windows® 2000 Server’s Internet Information Services [IIS], Exchange Server, BizTalk™ Server and the Visual Studio® development system) to improve worker productivity and deliver mobile services and rich data flows that specifically support their company’s business processes.
The new service from Vodafone UK,
“Vodafone Office Live delivering Outlook® services powered by Microsoft Mobile Software,”
represents the first commercially available service based on Mobile Information Server. A carrier-specific version of Mobile Information Server resides in Vodafone UK’s network and connects with Mobile Information Server in an enterprise, providing improved message security, formatting and reporting on quality of service.
“Mobile communications in Europe is a lifestyle, not a trend. People want to have access to their e-mail, but in a secure way. With Vodafone Office Live, we’re first on the market to offer a service, extending Outlook to our corporate mobile users in the United Kingdom. Thanks to Mobile Information Server we can offer our corporate customers exactly what they want and more,”
said Amit Pau, managing director at Vodafone Multimedia UK.
“This is a significant business advantage for us, and we look forward to rolling out these kinds of services more broadly.”
In addition to Vodafone UK, a number of worldwide mobile operators, including Telef
ó
nica M
ó
viles in Spain, and AT & T Wireless and Verizon Wireless in the United States, will pilot MIS-based services with enterprise customers in the second half of this year.
“Mobility isn’t just about voice — it’s about having access to your data regardless of where you are. Microsoft recognizes that mobile data needs great software to become a reality,”
said Juha Christensen, vice president of sales and marketing for the Mobility Group at Microsoft.
“Mobile Information Server represents a key thrust forward in our efforts to provide the best software for making mobile data a reality and for extending the Microsoft .NET Platform to a variety of mobile devices.”
Partner Momentum Demonstrates Power and Versatility of MIS Platform
Since the beta release of Mobile Information Server last September, Microsoft has worked closely with operators, enterprise customers and industry partners to gather input and feedback regarding the platform’s key features and functionality. Based on positive experience with Mobile Information Server during testing, a number of industry partners are developing wireless products and services for both internal and commercial customers.
As part of Microsoft, the Ericsson Microsoft Mobile Venture, announced last year, is a key solution provider for mobile solutions in the operator market space. The skill set in the mobile venture, paired with the combined strengths of Ericsson and Microsoft, enables the development of business solutions and the creation of mobile data services currently undergoing trials with several customers.
Compuware Corp., a world leader in the implementation of enterprise and e-commerce solutions, also is building new applications on MIS.
“Mobile Information Server has the scalability we need to build smart applications and services for the market. The faster we can provide easy-to-use mobile services to our customers, the happier they are,”
said Paul Toenjes, director of the Professional Services Division at Compuware.
“For us, a good user experience is the only clear path to ROI. It’s that simple.”
In addition to Compuware, a number of other leading global systems integrators, including Avanade Inc., Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, EDS, Extreme Logic Inc. (in the United States), Hewlett-Packard Co., IBM Global Services, KPMG International, have developed MIS-based service offerings that they will be rolling out in the United States, Asia and Europe later this year. ntl: Group Ltd., one of the world’s largest broadband companies and a major communications provider across Europe, is planning to use Mobile Information Server to enable a series of wireless applications designed to enhance customer service and provide employee access to core business applications.
”
As Exchange Server clients are moving to mobilize corporate intranets, Mobile Information Server’s connection with the .NET platforms is key for us. We can’t afford a
solution that doesn’t give us a clear path and commitment to the future,
“said Stuart Clark, NT Development Manager at ntl:.”
With Mobile Information Server, Microsoft has taken on the complicated task of securely mobilizing applications and services. Microsoft has shown us the commitment and product base needed to keep accelerating and providing better and faster service for our customers.
“
Mobile Information Server and the Outlook Mobile Access solution operate with Microsoft’s Exchange Server to help provide users with real-anytime, anyplace access to their inbox, calendar, contacts and tasks. In addition, MIS enables knowledge workers to wirelessly access and interact with their enterprise applications as well as their corporate intranet resources. Mobile Information Server is based on a single unified architecture that enables operators, enterprise customers and key industry partners to easily build new mobile applications and solutions that can be accessed using a variety of mobile devices.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software –
any time, any place and on any device.
Microsoft, Windows, BizTalk, Visual Studio and Outlook are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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