Wireless software start-up ThinAirApps has a deal with Arriya Solutions Inc. to power the company’s flagship mobile applications platform.
For the New York-based ThinAirApps, which builds wireless information access software for corporate clients, the deal with Arriya Solutions allows it to set foot in the lucrative Japanese market.
Arriya plans to use ThinAir’s server as a core component of its Arriya UBQ 1.2 mobile applications platform, which provides an open software for real-time access to enterprise groupware such as Microsoft Exchange Server and Lotus Domino Server from any wireless device. The Arriya software can also power customized applications for Japan’s mobile consumer market.
The Arriya product, built on ThinAir’s technology, allows real-time access to e-mail, calendars, address books applications for any Palm-powered, Sharp Zaurus-based or Pocket PC wireless handheld device. It also works on Web-enabled mobile phones and Internet-based car navigation systems.
Arriya also plans to develop localized features like coordinate-based mapping, and print-to-fax and voicemail attachments functionality. Additionally, the company said it would build applications for Java-enabled mobile handsets, which are now making an impact on the Japanese device market.
Nothing that wireless applications in Japan have been built primarily for entertainment and consumer purposes, ThinAir VP of business development Andrew Breen said the partnership would extend the market to target Japan’s mobile workforce.
Earlier this month, ThinAirApps Inc. inked a similar deal to power wireless e-mails for OmniSky Corp., a wireless firm that sells e-mail and internet services for mobile devices.
The Palo Alto, CA-based OmniSky said it would partner with ThinAirApps to launch a new service this summer to allow customers to integrate separate e-mail accounts into a single interface. The new service would provide secure wireless access to corporate e-mail systems including Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Domino, Novell GroupWise, POP3 and IMAP4 compatible mail systems.
It said the service would work on PDAs and mobile devices like the Handspring Visor Platinum and Visor Prism, the Palm V and Palm Vx, HP Jornada 540 Series Pocket PC and Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC.
ThinAirApps is privately-held and is backed by Safeguard Scientifics.
