Wireless Connectivity for Corporate Information on the Rise

Strategic Insights -

In a groundbreaking move, WirelessKnowledge LLC, a joint venture of QUALCOMM Inc. and Microsoft Corp., has announced a comprehensive solution for wireless data devices, poised to revolutionize mobile professionals' access to corporate information. This solution addresses the long-standing complexities and time-consuming processes associated with wireless connectivity, paving the way for widespread adoption. Editors Andrew M. Seybold and Barney L. Dewey believe that WirelessKnowledge can integrate networks, devices, and data securely, even behind corporate firewalls, through a single connection.

Key Takeaways:

  • WirelessKnowledge LLC, a joint venture of QUALCOMM Inc. and Microsoft Corp., aims to provide a complete solution for wireless data devices, addressing the complexities and time-consuming processes associated with wireless connectivity.
  • This solution enables mobile professionals to access corporate information securely, even behind corporate firewalls, through a single connection.
  • WirelessKnowledge will support a variety of wireless devices, including Microsoft OS-based computers, digital phones with HDML, one-way and two-way pagers, Web-access terminals, and smart phones.
  • The connections between carriers and WirelessKnowledge's operations center are dedicated and secure circuits, ensuring secure access to corporate LANs or WANs.
  • 3Com's new Palm VII is unlikely to be successful as a consumer product, due to its high price point of $700 to $800, but has potential as a business product, offering a new wireless information platform for developing useful query-response solutions.

Statistics:

  • The Palm VII is priced at $700 to $800, which is about twice the price of a Palm III.
  • WirelessKnowledge will support a variety of wireless devices, including Microsoft OS-based computers, digital phones with HDML, one-way and two-way pagers, Web-access terminals, and smart phones.
  • The connections between carriers and WirelessKnowledge's operations center are dedicated and secure circuits.
  • The company expects to spur large-scale use of wireless data devices by mobile professionals.

Sources:

  • Andrew Seybold's Outlook, the authoritative newsletter serving the mobile-computing and wireless-data-communications industries.
  • QUALCOMM Inc. and Microsoft Corp., joint partners in the WirelessKnowledge LLC joint venture.
  • BellSouth, Bell Atlantic Mobile, AT&T, US West, and Go America, companies that will support WirelessKnowledge services.
  • 3Com, manufacturer of the Palm VII handheld device.
  • Andrew Seybold's Outlook's related activities, including The Outlook, Wireless Data University, and allied activities.