iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions Leads Internet and Wireless Convergence with
Future-Proofed Communication Architecture
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- iPlanet(TM) E-Commerce
Solutions, a Sun-Netscape Alliance, today announced the iPlanet Wireless
Server software, a new wireless application that allows wireless carriers and
Internet businesses to rapidly deliver scalable, wireless access to email,
calendar, and personal address book information. With iPlanet Wireless
Server, companies can leverage their infrastructure investments to offer
hosted Internet communication services that drive new revenue streams,
increase customer loyalty and service usage, and generate significantly higher
message traffic.
The iPlanet Wireless Server software offers a future-proofed platform for
converged Internet and wireless communication services. It supports today's
hot wireless technologies, including Wireless Access Protocol (WAP) and HDML
(Handheld Device Markup Language) devices, as well as any standards-based web
browser, and is independent of networking architectures, so it can be used
with GSM, CDMA, G3 and future networking technologies.
The iPlanet Wireless Server software meets the requirements of mobile
users, offering many innovative features that make it simple and productive to
use communication services anytime, anywhere. Unlike store and forward
messaging technologies, the architecture makes it easy to immediately skim
messages, check appointments, check contacts, and control incoming messages.
Leading WAP, HDML, and SMS Support
The iPlanet Wireless Server software is the first software to support the
full range of email, calendars, directory services, and personal address books
for devices that support the Wireless Access Protocol (WAP) for wireless
access to the Internet. iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions has been an early
advocate of the WAP approach through its participation in the WAP Forum.
WAP-compliant devices, including mobile telephones and palmtop devices, are in
development worldwide.
Through an SMS (Short Message Service) plug-in to the iPlanet messaging
server, service providers can also provide SMS alerts and messages sent from a
browser, email, or calendar account.
A key feature of the iPlanet Wireless Server software is its ability to
deliver device-appropriate access to information. It can sense the user
interface of a wireless device and format information on the fly for best
viewing. It formats information to account for different screen sizes on
different devices and also interfaces with the location and shape of keys,
buttons, and dials. It works with virtually any standards-based WAP or HDML
enabled device through XML-based style sheets that make it easy to support new
devices as they are introduced to the market.
"The wireless market is expanding and changing faster than standards can
be defined, so providers are often pragmatic in implementing technologies that
can capture immediate market opportunities. Our wireless server architecture
gives customers the ability to get to market quickly, but protect their
investments with seamless evolution to new protocols as they mature," said
Korak Mitra, vice president of messaging and collaboration products for
iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions.
Added Value, Easy Implementation for Service Providers
Service providers can use the iPlanet Wireless Server software to deliver
Internet communication services and date-oriented content to mobile users.
Adding new service offerings can be speedy and profitable because the iPlanet
family of software servers uses a single architecture for both wireless and
wireline Internet access. For service providers, a single architecture
reduces the time and effort required to deploy new services and gain
incremental revenue.
The iPlanet Wireless Server software is used with iPlanet Messaging,
Calendar and Directory Servers to provide a range of communication services.
Service providers can implement either mail or calendar servers or both, and
leverage a common Lightweight Directory Access Protocol directory and a shared
personal address book.
The iPlanet product family, designed for carrier-class implementation,
supports a variety of industry standards and data types, including voice and
video, and is scalable to support the customer volume of even the largest
service providers.
"Wireless operators in Europe are aggressively exploring new business
paradigms around wireless Internet services using the WAP protocol. iPlanet
E-Commerce Solutions brings to market a versatile platform on which these
services can be deployed. Carriers around the world have the opportunity of
leveraging content through answering the questions, what, when, and where as
new services like mail and calendar add mobile internet capabilities," said
Crispin Vicars, senior director, the Yankee Group.
"Professionals on the move need to have an ubiquitous access to key
personal information management tools," said Alain Gerset, market development
director of Cap Gemini Telecom. "As an integrator of best-in-class software,
we welcome the iPlanet initiative. It will allow us to complement the range
of Mobile Internet solutions, we propose to our telecom customers."
"Together with our innovative Internet strategy; the cooperation with
iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions is key for us," said Charles Fraenkl,
general manager, E-Plus." The integrated portal is technically state of the
art as well as very user friendly. E-Plus Online is the first integrated
portal aimed at the German telecommunication marketplace. Based on this
platform, E-plus will drive and extend their e-commerce activities.
"Telenor Mobil chose iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions as its partner for the
development of the first common solutions for the mobile Internet based on its
reputation and leading-edge technology," said Stig M. Herbern, managing
director of Telenor Mobil.
Mobile-Friendly User Features
The iPlanet Wireless Server software ushers in a new generation of
mobile-friendly features that put the user in control of when and how to
access these key applications. A web browser-based control panel allows users
to set up features and options to suit their individual preference and needs.
Some examples are:
-- Integrated address book and calendar -- access current information from
whatever device is at hand;
-- Event notification -- Set personalized alerts for important email or
calendar events, with the option of sending SMS notes to phone or
pager;
-- Subject skimming -- preview the topic line of incoming messages before
download (leverages IMAP, not store and forward POP mail);
-- Prioritize the important messages -- use subject lines and key words to
help ensure you see the information you need most;
-- Auto-response messages -- set up responses in advance to acknowledge
important email and handle common replies.
Easy Implementation for Enterprises
Enterprises will find that communication services based on the iPlanet
servers increase the productivity and efficiency of mobile workers and
extended teams, as well as extranet users. Real-time, up-to-date information
can be a competitive advantage.
For IT Managers the iPlanet architecture uses unified data stores,
regardless of access method, to reduce complexity and storage overhead, while
increasing efficiency and scalability. Support for an integrated Lightweight
Directory Access Protocol directory simplifies user and service provisioning
and reduces the cost of managing user accounts.
Price and Availability
The iPlanet Wireless Server software version 1.0 is in use at multiple
customer sites today and is scheduled for general availability later this
quarter. Licenses for service providers are based on number of users, type of
service, and applications licensed.
About iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions
iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions, a Sun-Netscape Alliance, was established in
March 1999 by America Online, Inc. (NYSE: AOL) and Sun Microsystems, Inc.
(Nasdaq: SUNW) to provide easy-to-deploy, comprehensive e-commerce solutions
for the Net Economy. iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions provides the industry's
broadest portfolio of Internet infrastructure and e-commerce applications
software and services. Its iPlanet Messaging, Directory, Web and Application
Server software all enjoy #1 market share positions. For more information,
consult the iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions Web site at http://www.iplanet.com or
call 888-786-8111.
Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun Logo and iPlanet are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other
countries. Netscape and the Netscape N logo are registered trademarks of
Netscape Communications Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Other
Netscape logos, product names, and service names are also trademarks of
Netscape Communications Corporation, which may be registered in other
countries.
SOURCE iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions
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Related links:
http://www.iplanet.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/585525.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 585525
CONTACT:
Jennifer Doettling of iPlanet E-Commerce
Solutions, 650-937-2804
NOTE TO EDITORS: A web-based demo of the iPlanet Wireless Server
can be arranged.
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