Hi all GEMS shareholders
Names blue_chip and I am an Infowave shareholder, I guess we are kind of related right now hey?...lol
I for one think you can be competition to RIMM. If Glenayre can come out with a pager similar to a Blackberry (with the keyboard) to enrich the email based messages your pagers could return. I have no knowledge if they are actually working on one but if they were I could see GEMS give RIMM a real run for their money. GEMS has established prouduct and sales channels, RIMM is still trying to make theirs/ grow theirs. With 50 million pagers out there I would think GEMS might create quite a stir if they had a blackberry type pager. The RIMM pager doesnt do voice so I could even see a possible pager as better than RIMM's. I see the move to wireless email access of your company as a smart one. It will help take you into the future. Iam anxiously watching for new products from your company as developments on your side will benefit us as well. Here is some more Infowave/GEMS background.
"Who is Glenayre?
For over 30 years, Glenayre Technologies Inc has been developing leading edge personal communication systems. Supplying products for both one-way and two-way paging networks, Glenayre also offers the industry's premiere migration solution from one-way systems to two-way functionality. With over 2,200 employees and with products installed in over 100 countries, Glenayre's net sales exceeded $399 million in 1998. Additional information about the company is available at glenayre.com.
Who is Infowave?
Infowave is a world-class software developer. The company was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Infowave's Imaging Division builds award-winning printing solutions. Infowave's PowerPrint® and StyleScript® software kits provide Apple® Macintosh® users with improved print quality and access to more than 1,600 printers. Infowave's Wireless Division builds mobile business solutions that use the power of wireless communications to extend the reach of enterprise computing. Infowave for Exchange and Infowave for the Net are the most advanced and secure wireless solutions for connecting mobile workers to key corporate information and applications.
What is the essence of this Strategic Development Agreement?
Glenayre currently provides hardware and software infrastructure for wireless messaging networks as well as advanced messaging devices to its customers who own and operate the largest paging networks in the world. Infowave Software leads the industry in connecting mobile workers to Microsoft Exchange which includes their email, contacts, tasks, schedules, meeting requests, etc. Under the terms of this agreement, Infowave is developing desktop software, code named Kodiak, that will connect people using these wireless devices and networks to their key information on the desktop. In a nutshell, Glenayre is providing its major wireless messaging vendors and their customers significant new capabilities using their existing networks and mobile devices. Kodiak will take the most popular, unobtrusive devices and connect them to the most important information that active workers need.
What will this desktop software (code named Kodiak) do?
Imagine that I have an existing paging device from PageMart, SkyTel, PageNet or another Glenayre customer. In addition to all of the services that I currently receive, I can purchase desktop software that will communicate between the MS Exchange server in my office and my pager when I'm out of the office. That means I am now connected to all of my key desktop information all the time. I can send and receive email using the existing paging servies, receive schedule updates and summaries, request contact information, receive task summaries, etc. My mobile device now extends my desktop to me wherever I go. I am linked, in real-time, to the critical information on my desktop computer whether I'm just away from my desk or entirely away from my office.
How is this different from other products and services in this space?
First and foremost, this solution works with a wide range of devices including, but not limited to: 1 way pagers, 1.5 way pagers, 2 way pagers and smart-phones. That means people can get these valuable new capabilities using the service contract and device they already have. They can also use it with interesting new mobile devices that are just being introduced to the market.
Second, this is software the end-user will buy at the point of sale, at a one-time cost of less than $20 (unlike alternatives which usually involve additional recurring monthly costs). That means I can take the service contract and device I already have, pay under $20 for the software and get dramatic new functionality instantly – literally with the click of a mouse.
Third, the software provides capabilities that are not available in any other pager-based product or service. You'll not only be able to send and receive messages, but you'll also get schedule summaries (i.e. what you have on for today), reminders of pending appointments, task summaries, tasks that are active, due or overdue, schedule updates (e.g. your schedule is changed by a delegate back at the office), and the ability to query the central database for a contact. All of this is happening in real-time over-the-air. Other solutions require you to be at your desk to synchronize your Personal Information Manager (PIM) which includes calendar, contact and task information. With these products your PIM information is not updated wirelessly. With Kodiak, changes to your Personal Information are sent to you immediately, requiring no desktop synchronization in order to have your valuable personal information in hand.
Why did Glenayre enter into this partnership?
Glenayre is the backbone of paging enterprises in more than 120 countries. Over 78 Million subscribers rely on Glenayre – more than all competitors combined. Infowave brings in-depth knowledge of client/server software and MS Exchange to the table. By partnering with Infowave, Glenayre is giving their customers a potent and innovative software solution to sell. This kind of value-add is key to customer retention and acquisition in their markets. These are the dominant players in the paging and mobile messaging marketplace; they're selling contracts, pagers and now desktop software. Glenayre is providing a way for its customers to get more from their investment in Glenayre infrastructure by offering the end-users valuable new capabilities. Advanced messaging capabilities like this are a key component as the industry evolves toward higher value services.
Why did Infowave enter into this partnership?
Glenayre brings a massive potential market to Infowave, complete with a well established distribution channel that currently services these customers. We're talking about 50 Million paging subscribers in North America alone. Infowave has always distinguished itself as a breadth player, a company that supports a wide range of important computing platforms. This was the next logical step in a product family that already covers the high end of the computing continuum extremely well.
How will the business relationship work?
Infowave and Glenayre have developed a joint specification for Kodiak. Infowave handling all the software development and will retain all intellectual property rights. Glenayre will package and deliver the product to its customer/partners. Infowave will receive payment for the software development and a flat license fee for each copy of desktop software sold. Infowave and Glenarye will cooperate on co-marketing activities to drive end-user demand and consumption of the product.
How will a customer get the software?
All of Glenayre's carrier customers will have the opportunity to sell this software to their customers. This includes companies like PageMart, SkyTel, PageNet and others. You'll likely see branded versions delivered by these companies, sold anywhere that you can sign up for their services or buy one of their paging devices.
What about other possibilities?
First, the software solution is device independent, so you could see it used with smartphones immediately. Second, there are obvious opportunities for a lot more in this partnership; consider additional desktop features or the potential in marrying this solution to Infowave's existing Enterprise Server solutions. This agreement, however, only covers the desktop product code named Kodiak.
If any are interested in following Infowave closer we have a chat site on Yahoo Clubs
clubs.yahoo.com
There are all sorts of links under the links heading on the sidebar to other Infowave chat sites. We have some great chat sites going with excellen knowledgable people. GEMS forray into wireless info will be one of the contributing factors that will make them succeed in the wireless future.....information, anywhere, anytime...etc
Good luck to you all
Chip
clubs.yahoo.com
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