BackWeb Technologies Monday launched Universal Push.
Powered by next-generation push technology, Universal Push provides e-businesses with a single communications infrastructure for any application to deliver content to any user on any common data device via BackWeb Polite Push, email, wireless, fax and voice mail.
Several industry leaders — including Lucent Technologies EMEA and Hewlett Packard Company — announced support for the initiative.
The launch of Universal Push coincides with the debut of the BackWeb Push Application Server, which features technology to support multiple delivery methods via Internet and wireless and incorporating standard CORBA and XML interfaces.
The new server also includes an “escalation” feature that allows information to dynamically “find” the user by roaming from one device to the next until it reaches the intended recipient. BackWeb today also announced strategic push technology alliances with IBM and FILMSPEED.
“Universal Push represents a revolutionary shift in how important information will reach users, and relieves e-business applications from having to care where users are located or what device they are using,” said Eli Barkat, chairman and CEO of BackWeb Technologies.
“This presents enormous opportunities for e-business innovators who understand that delivering the right information to the right people becomes a competitive advantage only when it’s delivered at the right time. With so many industry leaders voicing their strong support for this effort, we anticipate Universal Push will continue to gain accelerated acceptance worldwide.”
“A terrific opportunity awaits any company that can create a truly universal push delivery infrastructure for the Internet,” said Geoffrey Moore, best-selling author, chairman and founding director of The Chasm Group, and a venture partner at Mohr Davidow Ventures. “The Universal Push opportunity encompasses every major vertical market and communications application, and BackWeb is beautifully poised to seize it.”
BackWeb’s Push Application Server is designed to enable companies to use one software server to push notifications or data to any user, whether by BackWeb Polite Push, email, wireless, or other methods. Providing a modular, flexible architecture, the BackWeb Push Application Server allows companies to specify the use of any delivery method via a single software interface and single reporting system.
The Push Application Server will route deliveries to any appropriate delivery method and escalate or change delivery methods based on easy-to-define business logic. For example, if a user is not at his desk to receive a time-sensitive notification at his PC, the content would be automatically re-routed by the Push Application Server to his handheld device or mobile phone.
Applications include:
- e-CRM and e-commerce applications that require on-time communications of promotions, service alerts and market changes — no matter where users are located and what devices they are using;
- Portal hosts that require on-time notifications for critical content, as well as those who want proactive delivery of large content to portal subscribers for online or offline use;
- B-to-B exchange applications that require on-time communications of RFP/RFQs, catalogs, pricing lists, bids, and IT notification throughout the supply chain;
- Executive communications applications that require on-time delivery of notifications as well as rich-media announcements to employees, partners and customers; and
- Web entertainment providers who need proactive delivery of rich-media content including music, video, and games to their subscriber base.
As part of its strategy to enable its customers to proactively deliver content across any networ
k, BackWeb will provide a broad range of productized delivery methods and a modular architecture that allows customers to add their own delivery.
To speed development of wireless delivery methods, BackWeb recently acquired the technology assets of Mobix Communications Ltd., a provider of technology platforms for wireless data solutions.
Combining Mobix technology with the BackWeb Push Application Server enables BackWeb software to deliver content across many common wireless networks, including GSM, Mobitex, and CDMA.
