UUNET, SmartCom and TeraiTech bring SA`s first Wireless ASP to market

Wireless ASP service named `TeraiTech over the Air` offers fastest, easiest and most cost-effective way to develop and deploy wireless mobile applications

UUNET SA, SmartCom and TeraiTech today announced a partnership that brings South Africa`s first Wireless ASP (W-ASP) solution to market. Named `TeraiTech over the Air`, the end-to-end solution for corporates allows mobile applications to be developed and effectively deployed at lower risk and cost.

As part of the agreement, SmartCom will act as the supplier of the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication, where as TeraiTech will contribute its application development expertise, implementation proficiency using Aether`s software products as well as intellectual property in the mobile market. UUNET SA will act as the hosting partner, providing a secure environment to host the servers optimising connectivity to the Internet and providing access to a fully managed network infrastructure.

According to Steve Orleow, UUNET Wireless Strategy Executive, a growing number of local enterprises are looking for wireless services to provide employees with location-independent access to their enterprise information systems. "Analysts are predicting that the market for wireless applications including technologies such as W-ASP will explode over the next three to five years. The SA mobile market is currently worth R16 billion and will grow to around R23 billion by 2004. Furthermore, local research firm BMI-T predicts the South African ASP market will yield a compound annual growth rate of nearly 120 percent up until 2003 when the market will be worth more than $40 million."

Co-founder of TeraiTech, Vernon Penny adds that the W-ASP service allows corporate customers to rapidly and easily develop and deploy mobile applications that seamlessly integrate with legacy back-end systems and corporate databases. "`TeraiTech over the Air` solutions incorporate a secure connection between the applications offered by UUNET and the information systems of the customer."

"Application of the technology is client specific, but can include mobile access to an intranet, sales force automation tools, legacy systems, and any other company critical information that may be required when employees are mobile," says Penny.

According to Penny the platform is designed from the ground up to address the unique characteristics of wireless communications and exploit the capabilities of the latest ultra-portable mobile devices via standard WAP protocols supported by the latest mobile phones from Nokia and other manufacturers.

The billing structure will be based on customisation and integration as well as ongoing activity costs, making the investment in W-ASP low-risk and cost-effective.

TeraiTech have already worked with pilot customers in security, government and merchandising sectors, successfully deploying customised wireless applications delivered using its W-ASP platform.