Odyssey Software -- a leading provider of mobile enterprise data access tools and infrastructure -- today introduced ViaXML(TM), an open standard XML-based mechanism enabling the "Programmable Web" for mobile platforms, such as the Pocket PC where developers can implement a new class of node-to-node distributed applications with true interoperability among a wide range of mobile, desktop, and server-class platforms for effective developer-controlled bi-directional data exchange.
A ViaXML-enabled application will allow servers to initiate remote action on Mobile devices -- known as Server-side push or pull of enterprise information with action -- enabling developers to easily provide Notification Services, as part of their application. ViaXML also enables traditional mobile client/server applications, where mobile devices initiate interaction with servers. Seamless direct Peer-to-Peer interoperability (mobile device to mobile device, desktop to desktop, and even server to server) is immediately available to developers of today's mobile applications being deployed on Pocket PCs and other devices powered by Windows CE, in addition to the Win32 platform. Support for other platforms and message formats will be available directly from Odyssey Software in early 2001.
"ViaXML has transformed the way we expect to deliver content to mobile devices", said Steve Scimone, Senior Vice President of R&D, Reuters Chief Technology Office. "We are able to push user-defined opt-in News, Information, and Alerts wirelessly to Pocket PCs as part of the Reuters Digital Dashboard, and anticipate this will be the new standard for mobile applications such as direct peer-to-peer trade negotiation."
"Today, Odyssey Software has delivered a great product that supports XML standards, enables peer-to-peer, and server-side push to Pocket PCs, highlighting the unique power of Microsoft's mobile platforms for enterprise customers," said Rogers Weed, general manager for the Mobile Devices Division at Microsoft Corp. "Developers can immediately use their eMbedded Visual Tools and Active Server Pages skills to build an entirely new class of mobile applications for markets ranging from traditional enterprise line of business to m-commerce."
Several extensible application frameworks will ship with ViaXML, enabling rapid implementation of additional application functionality:
-- DistributionFX(TM), mobile software services for remote
software distribution including application installation,
removal, and version updates.
-- ManageFX(TM), mobile software services for remote
administration and device
management of mobile devices,
providing system information such as
device parameters, a list
of installed software applications,
process information,
battery status, and memory status.
-- DirectoryFX(TM), mobile software services for
discovery and
identification of available users
within an online community
or defined group.
Additional application frameworks are anticipated for delivery in the near term,
and include SyncFX(TM), mobile software services for dynamic device-with-server
database synchronization.
"The significance of ViaXML can not be underestimated," said Keith Kanneg, Senior Director of Symbol's Software Marketing Business Unit. "True platform interoperability liberates developers from the dependence on individual proprietary pieces of technology--ViaXML will benefit our customers over a broad range of vertical markets, including manufacturing, logistics, retail, healthcare, hospitality and government and enable dramatically simplified integration with diverse enterprise data stores or applications such as SAP/R3, or legacy systems."
"Using ViaXML, IT professionals no longer need a host of software servers to enable effective mobile computing," said Mark Gentile, president and CEO of Odyssey Software. "With ViaXML we have embraced open Internet standards and leverage investments that companies have made in Internet architectures and infrastructure, while revolutionizing the ways in which mobile and wireless technologies can be effectively used."
ViaXML is available immediately from Odyssey Software. Thirty-day evaluation licenses for ViaXML and the suite of application framework are available from http://www.odysseysoftware.com/.
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