I recently visited a small startup company specialising in mobile communications. Like many other firms, Commtag is developing technology to support staff who spend a lot of time out of the office. Its first product, Duality, is an email system that uses GPRS to push messages to smartphones or PDAs.
The Duality model consists of a relay server located on the Internet; client software on the mobile devices; and a gateway or other form of software on the corporate network. Initially, the system is available for Pocket PC clients and Microsoft Exchange email servers, but support for other technologies will soon emerge. The relay server would typically be owned by the mobile network operator, but could be offered by any type of service provider.
Email is sent to the mobile user as soon as it is delivered to the corporate server. The software at the office receives mail notifications from the server in parallel with the mail client, which does not need to be active. The relay server forwards the messages and manages the connection to the mobile client.
A limit is placed on the size of messages sent to the mobile. If the user wants the full message and attachments, they can be downloaded while others are being read or replies created. Mail sent from the mobile is routed to the corporate email server for delivery to ensure headers are correct and email filtering is applied. The mail server is updated automatically and the mobile and fixed clients see the same view of the mail account.
All communication is triple-DES encrypted, with strong authentication. The system does not include a special email client, but uses the client, typically Outlook, supplied with the PDA or smartphone.
Nor does the system require modification to the firewall - all mail and supervisory messages between office and relay server are encapsulated in special email messages, which are handled by the corporate mail server just like normal email. Supervisory messages are filtered out and never reach client accounts. This should make installation simple without compromising the integrity of corporate security.
The system is easy to use, and the ability to open attachments on the move is very useful. And now that support for GPRS roaming is more widespread in Europe, Duality can work transparently as the user moves from country to country.
But more important technology is lower down the stack, which Commtag calls "unplug+play". It offers a robust platform for encrypted communication with a mobile over the Web, handling GPRS and Bluetooth links. The unplug+play platform could be used for mobile delivery of other office-based services such as scheduling, intranet access and other corporate data.
This type of platform has a lot of potential for the delivery of email to mobile staff, and could succeed in what is sure to become a competitive market.
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