Revolv Evolves With New Focus
Microsoft-Qualcomm Venture Re-engineers For A Smooth Ride
wirelessweek.com
By Brad Smith
When Eric Schultz took over as chairman and CEO of Wireless Knowledge LLC last fall, he knew the joint venture between Microsoft Corp. and Qualcomm had been traveling down a bumpy road. Now Schultz is attempting to pave over those potholes as the company launches a new focus under a different name.
Schultz is expected to announce details of the strategy over the next few days, but in advance there are clear indications the company has decided to change its focus. Instead of trying to provide a connection to enterprise data by going through the firewall, it will go behind the firewall itself.
Launched with much ballyhoo in November 1998, Wireless Knowledge has failed to live up to its press. Its first product, Revolv, has had underwhelming success. Ten carriers initially expressed interest in Revolv, but it wasn't until last fall that the first oneð-AT&T Wireless Services-ðbegan offering it. Two other carriers, Canada's Bell Mobility Ltd. and wireless data service Metricom Inc., tested the service last year but delayed their launch plans at least six months.
The Revolv service bureau offers wireless data connections to corporations that use Microsoft Exchange servers. The "new" Wireless Knowledge still will focus on access to corporate databases but will do it by selling wireless server applications installed on a company's premise. The server will run behind the firewall, providing Internet access securely from the outside, Schultz says.
The first product will be an application service software package allowing access to personal information management databases through Microsoft Exchange servers. Schultz says that soon will be followed with applications for Lotus Notes and Internet e-mail, as well as supporting multiple devices. "We found that being the first truck down there was a bumpy road last year, but now we've smoothed out that road."
In conjunction with the new corporate image and focus, there will be an unveiling of the Revolv 2.0 product offering.
An indication of what's ahead for Wireless Knowledge came with its involvement in a new Internet developers' program established earlier this month by Sprint PCS. Jim Ryan, the carrier's data applications and content director, says recent deals with Wireless Knowledge and IBM Pervasive Computing are part of Sprint's emerging corporate data strategy.
The developers' program, which has its own Web site at www.developer.sprintpcs.com, was started to "harness the power of all the applications developers who are looking for a wireless platform for their creations," Ryan says. The carrier believes it will be these developers who come up with the next generation of killer applications.
"You're seeing the face of this program," he says about the initial membership list, which includes many current Sprint PCS Wireless Web application developers but also Hewlett-Packard Co. and Wireless Knowledge. "This is the first [step in] a many-faceted program."
Schultz says Wireless Knowledge's involvement with the Sprint PCS developers' program allows the company to focus on helping potential customers prepare applications for the mobile workforce. His company will be able to help the dot-com developers enter the wireless space. "This puts Wireless Knowledge in the driver's seat," he says.
Schultz hopes the road will be smoothly paved.
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