Lotus Development SA has confirmed the appointment of mobile business intelligence company, RangeGate, as its latest Business Partner. RangeGate, a Datatec company, specialises in the development of WAP and other mobile applications that enable users to access vital data via any form of mobile device.
As a Lotus BP, RangeGate is now in a position to offer users of Lotus Notes and Domino increased connectivity to network-based information via their mobile devices. "Whether it is a PDA or a cell phone, we are able to provide Domino customers access to data held on a Domino server, via the GSM network," explains Hylton McCabe, senior account manager - strategic partnerships at RangeGate.
"This sort of application will allow for the simplification of orders, payments and stock authorisation - to name but a few. These are all aspects that will eventually enhance the customer experience and streamline business functionality."
Mobility is no longer a mere buzzword in South African companies, but a basic demand, comments Steve Dunbar, Country Marketing and Lotus/IBM Partner Sales Manager, SA. "The decision was taken to partner with RangeGate in view of existing and potential Lotus clients that require mobile functionality - which means they must be able to request, as well as provide, data from anywhere, at any time."
This partnership allows Lotus to enter an as yet unexplored market, which is true m-commerce. "This ties in with our Domino EveryPlace Quick Start product," adds Dunbar, "which is a complete wireless software and services bundle that provides users with everything they need to start accessing Domino applications via mobile terminals - including installation services."
McCabe agrees and maintains that their decision to partner with Lotus was a strategic one, as the company provides products outside of the Lotus framework. "Domino EveryPlace Quick Start is a good example of this philosophy, as this product can easily fit into a Microsoft environment without being Lotus-bound. This kind of flexibility allows us to cover a wider business sphere than would have been possible with any of the other developers."
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