iTouch SA, a leading provider of wireless data services, and Sybase SA have joined forces to provide a ground-breaking solution that integrates the four delivery technologies: Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), Short Message Service (SMS), Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and the Internet (WEB). This collaboration provides an enhanced platform for delivery of value-add services to corporate customers and consumers using mobile technologies such as the cellphone.
"This new development has given iTouch a real differentiator in content delivery. Its speed, cost-effectiveness and enhanced quality support delivery of a full range of services and products," says Sean Stegmann, Chief Operating Officer of iTouch. "We target mobile telephone users with a range of news, sports, financial, weather and other information and provide mobile connectivity services to business and corporate clients. End-users view, purchase and send and receive messages using a cellphone, personal digital assistant (PDA) or other handheld devices."
iTouch operates in South Africa, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Through partnerships with key companies such as IOL, Independent News and Media plc which is iTouch's largest shareholder, Vodacom, MIH and I-Net Bridge, iTouch delivers a wide range of products. Content comes from international and local sources and new products and services are continually researched and developed. A service, ShareLine, a high-speed share portfolio service for mobile phone users, is underpinned by this integration of media.
"Technology collaboration is key to successful undertakings like this. Sybase SA, the supplier of the underlying database infrastructure was key to the success of the project. iTouch had access to beta programmes and international expertise and Sybase SA assisted in design and performance tuning," says Stegmann.
"The result puts us ahead of our competitors and iTouch plc will deploy this technology world-wide. We are innovators and on the forefront of developing new products and services. iTouch was the first SA company to launch a Share IVR service via Vodacom's network in April 1997 and this development carries on the tradition."
The Fluant-supplied software platform, TIB, uses Sybase Adaptive Server Enterprise as administrator, providing message management, event broking, and transaction processing. The synergy between Sybase and TIB ensures seamless integration and conversion to IVR, SMS, WEB and WAP. Other features are constant availability through database replication and the Sybase in-built wireless enablement.
"Cutting-edge development really puts core competencies to the test. At Sybase, we're dedicated to making sure companies have 'information anywhere'," says Julie Tomlinson, marketing manager at Sybase SA. "Cape Town-based iTouch iLabs had to have Sybase expertise on call at a moment's notice. Our availability and wireless expertise were critical success factors."
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