I'm very surprised there isn't more discussion on the significance of this release. Use of CNTR's software with WAP-enabled mobile phones is of very large significance. WAP already has its footprint in over 40% of the world's wireless market. CNTR's partnership in this will be 'recognized' by the market sooner or later. JMO
siliconinvestor.com
[excerpt]
Centura Partners with Nocom to add Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) to eSNAPP
Partnership with Nocom provides wireless, mobile connectivity to enterprise data via mobile phones -- adding to the growing list of eSNAPP-supported Information Appliances
REDWOOD SHORES, Calif. and UPPSALA, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 19, 1999-- Centura(TM) Software Corporation (NASDAQ: CNTR), leader in e-business and Information Appliance databases and development solutions, announced today with Nocom AB (Stockholm:NOCMB SS), the leading supplier of WEB and WAP-enabled software and services in Scandinavia, that Centura will support and extend the WAP protocol to eSNAPP, Centura's appliance connectivity server.
This announcement builds on the companies' seven-year partnership through which they have committed to jointly developing WAP connectivity for eSNAPP. Furthermore, Centura and Nocom will work together on international sales and marketing programs for WAP Direct(TM) and eSNAPP. Nocom's WAP Direct is the first application subscription program for corporations on the international market. Now empowered by Centura's technology, Nocom can further extend wireless mobile connectivity to enterprise data via mobile phones.
Most recently, Nocom has become a business development partner with Nokia Wireless Software Solutions to deliver Nokia's leading WAP Server technology to Scandinavia, the country ranking as world-leader in deployment of mobile phones. Centura's eSNAPP is the first enterprise-wide solution that provides mobile access to enterprise data for time critical decision support applications such as sales force automation and healthcare data management. Together, Centura's eSNAPP and Nocom's WAP Direct solution will make it possible for companies, system integrators, and program developers to offer enterprise Internet- or intranet-based information and services to customers, business partners and employees via their mobile phones.
"This collaboration gives both companies a strong position in the mobile market for handheld devices and WAP-enabled phones," said Anders Jonson, CEO of Nocom AB. "This is a breakthrough for our WAP Direct concept on the international market -- our cooperation with Centura is proof that long and profitable relationships are the best foundation to build businesses on."
According to Jack Gold, senior program manager at META Group, "In the next 2-3 years, nearly all new phones sold will be WAP-enabled. That does not mean everyone will be automatically browsing the web. It does mean a potentially huge marketplace for business and consumer uses. WAP will take hold in Europe first, primarily in Nordic and northern European countries over the next 1-2 years. Then it will spread to the rest of Europe, and the US. The deployment in the US will be 1-2 years behind Europe, due to the diversity of cell phone systems needing upgrade, no common GSM standard as is the case in Europe."
"Nocom's understanding of mobile solutions and WAP is a perfect fit to expand the eSNAPP platform to become the leading solution for mobile integration," said Joe Falcone, chief technology officer of Centura. "Several years ago, mobile phone sales volume surpassed that of PCs, validating that WAP is where the growth will be for year 2000 and beyond. We are extremely pleased to join forces with a leading European firm in recognition of the importance of the development of WAP services as adopted by mobile phone leaders such as Ericssonand Nokia." |
