Mobileum Brings Freedom to Wireless Commerce

Whether it's a PDA or a Cell Phone, Company's Software will Communicate

The growth in the use of wireless devices for both e-commerce and internal business functions poses an interesting problem for companies. Do businesses have to write separate applications for each device? A Palm Pilot, for instance, can show graphics. Some cell phones show four lines of text, some as many as 11. Plus, there are differences in wireless networks in Europe and Asia. If a company wants to make the same information available to each platform, it is a burdensome task to write custom code to talk to each device. That's what Mobileum wants to change.

"The inherent complexity of the wireless world just begs for a repeatedly saleable solution that masks that complexity," says Mitch Bishop, vice president of marketing for Mobileum. Incorporated in March, they've leased 17,851 square feet in the Hacienda Lakes complex.

"I don't want to have to worry about what types of devices are being used to access my e-business - I want one set of application code that will work seamlessly everywhere," he continues. "And that's what we do."

Mobileum's software uses standard technologies to make device templates or style sheets that take a single set of application code and convert it for display on whichever wireless device is being used to access the information. The software acts as an intermediary between the basic application and the wireless device.

"We sit in between the carrier and the e-business, so we're the infrastructure that allows the web site to be looked at or interacted with via wireless device," Bishop explains.

In addition to many potential Internet uses, the software could be a boon to companies with a large number of field employees, be they salespeople, technicians, or consultants.

"The opportunity at this point in time is that lots of devices are starting to appear and there are going to be millions and millions more of these than wired desktops. The infrastructure is advancing rapidly - what's been missing is an application development and deployment network and that's what we're providing."

Bishop also notes that by eliminating the need to write a custom interface for each new wireless device, they will save their clients countless headaches. "We're basically future-proofing their business, so to speak."

The company, which now employs 30, plans to expand that number to 60 by September and 100 by year's end.

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