| There's a lot of hype at the moment | | | | Wong has reported that the company is |
| about push email technology. New cell | | | | getting ready to release its 'Community |
| phone handsets are beginning to support | | | | Technology Preview' build of Exchange |
| the technology and it seems to be | | | | Server 2003, Service pack 2. And this is |
| getting its head into other areas of the | | | | not the only step the giant is taking. |
| market too. This could be the next big | | | | In June 2005, Intellisync announced a |
| thing in the telecommunications industry | | | | new service that would allow subscribers |
| and the speculation is heating up about | | | | to receive push email on Windows Mobile, |
| who are going to be the major players | | | | Palm OS and Symbian devices.While, of |
| involved.Right now there are at least | | | | the current estimated 4 million push |
| five major operators in this market and | | | | email subscribers, most seem to be using |
| surely this will be reduced in the near | | | | RIM Blackberry devices, this assault |
| future. Most experts say that there are | | | | will be difficult to bare much longer.On |
| simply too many of them fighting over | | | | the technical side, there are two basic |
| the same space.Right now both Visto and | | | | technologies that can provide push email |
| Seven have been keen to show their | | | | solutions:one technology is true |
| commitment to this technology. These are | | | | push;the other has a push effect using |
| following the lead set by Canadian firm | | | | synchronization.While the user will not |
| RIM (Research In Motion) who brought the | | | | notice a significant difference when |
| technology into the spotlight with their | | | | they log in to check their mail, the |
| Blackberry device. While so far they | | | | costs vary to a considerable extent with |
| have been concentrating on supplying | | | | true push technologies offering a far |
| hardware, they have stated that they | | | | cheaper monthly cost to the user. While |
| will be moving into the supply of | | | | Intellisync is currently using a SyncML |
| software instead in the near future.The | | | | or synchronization technology to serve |
| wave of consolidations has already | | | | its customers, RIM and Microsoft are |
| begun. British vendor Comtag was | | | | using their own proprietary systems. The |
| acquired by Smartner who in turn was | | | | system that has found favour both with |
| acquired by Seven; moving in parallel | | | | Vodafone, the world's largest network |
| with this, Visto acquired Psion | | | | operator, and Rogers, the first operator |
| Software. It looks like the heat is | | | | to deploy Blackberry devices is the |
| turning up in the race to capture this | | | | solution that Visto opted for also. This |
| market. Both Visto and Seven show no | | | | is best described as a Proprietary + RTP |
| sign of flagging as they continue to | | | | RTSP system and Visto calls it |
| increase the number of operators they | | | | ConstantSync. It effectively relies on a |
| can lay claim to, as well as increasing | | | | real time streaming protocol to deliver |
| the number of handsets and other | | | | email over mobile networks.Whatever the |
| supported devices they are marketing. | | | | technicalities behind the networks, |
| Seven has also added a useful security | | | | there is a lot to play for in this |
| feature which allows you to send a | | | | emerging market and we'll have to wait |
| special message to your device which | | | | and see whose technology and handheld |
| will delete all the messages it | | | | devices carry the most favour with |
| currently has stored. This could be | | | | customers. All have relative advantages |
| lifesaving if you left your handset in a | | | | and disadvantages both in terms of |
| public place.Good Technology was | | | | technology and market strategy and it |
| somewhat shielded in its area by | | | | all really is still to play for.Linda |
| supporting Palm and Windows devices but | | | | Fowels shows you which email software to |
| now there is the new Windows Mobile | | | | use for a successful email marketing |
| based Treos to contend with.So what is | | | | campaign at - an email marketing |
| Microsoft's reaction to all of this? | | | | software guide with tips on increasing |
| Well, they appear to be gearing up to | | | | your email list, building your |
| enter the market. In his blog, Microsoft | | | | newsletter and tracking your campaigns. |
| senior technology specialist, Harold | | | | |