US information technology group, Sybase, and Johannesburg-based mobile computing solutions company, REF Integrated Solutions (REF IS), have announced a strategic development alliance aimed at addressing the increasingly widespread demand for applications tailored to mobile and embedded computing.
REF IS is the first mobile development company is South Africa to be appointed as a strategic business alliance partner, with a clear focus on Mobile Embedded Computing solutions.
In terms of the deal, REF IS will develop hand-held database solutions for the South African and overseas markets using Sybase products, and the companies will jointly market and sell mobile solutions to developers building applications for the industrial enterprise market.
Sybase has its headquarters in Emeryville, California, and is one of the world`s largest global, independent, software companies. It focuses on end-to-end solutions for mobile and embedded computing, and currently accounts for about 55% of market share in the mobile database market. REF IS Managing Director, Vernon Penny, says REF IS will focus on Sybase`s UltraLite deployment technology for SQL Anywhere Studio, the industry`s first application optimised, ultra-small relational database to reside on handheld devices.
Mobile and embedded computing is a booming segment of the market. The number of remote and mobile workers is projected to reach 108 million by the year 2000, and the International Data Corporation (IDC) predicts that by 2001 there will be at least 13.1 million (handheld) unit shipments as compared to the 4.9 million in 1998.
"With the introduction of even smaller dedicated computing devices and wireless technology, the mobile and embedded computing market is on the verge of exploding.
"Sybase is taking a leadership position with their new small "fingerprint" database technology, strategic alliances with application, hardware and platform vendors, a new division solely focused on mobile and embedded computing, as well as programmes to foster partnership and developer relationships such as this one."
Penny says the integration of SQL Anywhere and UltraLite deployment technology provides a highly integrated, optimised development platform affording real-time and embedded developers the ability to create very small, custom database programs for embedded devices connected to enterprise environments.
"Sybase`s UltraLite deployment technology breaks new ground for developers of embedded devices by providing a rich infrastructure for managing and synchronising data, enabling these devices to be fully integrated as key information sources in an enterprise solution. Integration with corporate information will revolutionise the embedded systems markets," says Penny.
SQL Anywhere Studio is an integrated product set that enables the design and delivery of critical information to workgroup, mobile and embedded database systems.
SQL Anywhere combines Adaptive Server Anywhere - the industry -leading mobile database, with leading edge replication, design and administration tools for rapid development and deployment of workgroup, mobile and embedded solutions.
"The Ultralite deployment technology for SQL Anywhere Studio allows developers to customise the capabilities of the database to match the requirements of an application.
"This customised database can have a memory fingerprint as small as 50 KB. Sybase UltraLite leverages industry standard SQL for data storage, retrieval, and manipulation which eliminates the need for developers to code their own data management structures from scratch."
"The result is increased productivity and faster time to deployment. In addition, UltraLite`s synchronisation technology enables users to seamlessly synchronise directly with any enterprise database including Sybase, Oracle and Microsoft, with no middleware required. "UltraLite makes it possible to deliver corporate information to a new class of lightweight mobile business tools such as small devices running the Palm Computing Platform. UltraLite enables the designer to create applications that are truly mobile," says Penny
Over 300 application developers already implement solutions using Sybase`s industry-leading Adaptive Server Anywhere, in the healthcare, financial services, public sector an telecommunications markets, and Sybase`s mobile database technology is currently the de facto standard for sales force automation applications.
According to Sybase S.A. product manager, Julie Tomlinson, the agreement forms part of Sybase`s Business Alliance Programme, which is targeted at the mobile and embedded computing market and includes strategic alliances with Microsoft and 3Com.
"Our MEC division is committed to helping organisations realise the promise of 'information anywhere`. It concentrates on the demands of customers who will benefit from the convergence of enterprise information systems with remote wireless and mobile technology.
"The alliance program offers partners such as REF IS the benefits of aggressive pricing, priority support and training, unique co-marketing opportunities, and direct access to product and sales tools," says Tomlinson. "In this case, Sybase has the technology and the product, while REF IS is involved in Mobile Embedded Computing development and have the skills and knowledge of uncommon code and Palm devices.
"Sybase is dependent on REF Integrated to offer the complete solution, and will also leverage its sales force market and allow REF IS to sell to Sybase`s existing clients," says Tomlinson.
The agreement has been welcomed by 3Com. 3Com South Africa retail manager, Sean Hayes, says the agreement will result in a better mobile solution for the end user.
"With REF IS doing the development, and with the backing of Sybase software, we can also now attract the enterprise market and offer that market a total solution," says Hayes.
Sybase technology already powers seven of the top ten US managed care organisations and is used by more than 350 healthcare organisations worldwide. In addition Sybase has more than 100 application partners building targeted healthcare solutions based on its technology.
In the financial services and insurance sectors, Sybase technology has improved the future of mobile electronic banking, to enable everyday financial transactions such as reviewing portfolios, making account transfers and paying bills via two way pagers, smart phones and other handheld devices.
SQL Anywhere Studio also provides retailers with a small-footprint, easy-to-use database that can be embedded into applications such as point-of-sale or inventory management. It is optimised for disconnected environments, such as in store checkout and point of sale devices that may not be continuously connected to the head office, or for managing inventory management, price changes and promotions across multiple locations.
It is also offers bi-directional replication, enabling information to flow from branch office to the head office and vice versa. The UltraLite deployment technology will also enable retailers to extend their applications to next-generation hand held and intelligent retail devices, says Penny. REF IS is a subsidiary of JSE-listed IT Group REFCorp.
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