Vodafone launches mobile server

Vodafone and Microsoft will offer businesses managed access to office applications using Microsoft's Mobile Information Server 2001 (MIS).

Microsoft sees MIS, launched this week, as a key part of its .Net web services strategy. But Rob Enderle, research fellow at Giga Information Group, warns that demand may be stifled by its tendency to alienate customers.

MIS has been in beta since September and is aimed at organisations, consumers, software developers and network operators. It sits between internal and external firewalls, allowing real-time access to data from any location and on any device.

Vodafone's OfficeLive, available next month, will use the server to deliver Outlook services, accessing email and calendar information.

Businesses will pay a monthly management fee and £5 per user, with discounts for volume licences.

Users will eventually be able to access enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management and other back-office applications.

Cable company NTL is OfficeLive's first large customer, deploying the service among 2500 mobile employees.

But users will not be swayed unless Microsoft alters the perception that it is taking financial advantage of its customers, warns Enderle.

"Concerns regarding increasing commitments to Microsoft and the perception that it's a taxing entity have companies looking elsewhere for solutions, despite the compelling nature of these offerings," he said.