Big Blue Bows Wireless Software

IBM Wednesday unveiled a software technology designed to help manage
e-businesses effectively, yet remotely.

The software, known as SWAP (which stands for Superior Wireless
Applications), enables business operators to place a sales order, access Web
site traffic data or change prices of sales items with a Palm device.

“We believe this is a breakthrough in the industry,” Tim
Dougherty, director of ebusiness markets, IBM Web server unit, told InternetNews.com. “This product
enables real business applications to be conducted remotely in real time.
For instance, if I am sitting in a restaurant and hear that a competitor has
dropped his price by 20 percent, I can do the same without leaving the
dining room.”

By using a Palm product, users get into the Internet, access their Web
application server and then implement the Web application of their choice,
Dougherty explained.

“This translates into real-time results,” he said. “Users can also access
details such as traffic data, sales reports or page hits,” he said. “This
application goes way beyond using wireless devices to check e-mail or make
reservations.”

The software was tested with Palm VII device but also works with the Palm
III and V products. “We selected the Palm because it is a much richer device
than a telephone or pager,” said Dougherty. “It also has a bigger screen
and it is user-friendly.”

The software, which will be on the market within 30 to 60 days, will be
available for download via the company’s alphaworks site onto the new IBM eServer p640, a rack-mounted Web
Server announced earlier specifically designed for wireless access.

The software runs on IBM’s AIX operating system and can be
customized to accomplish such tasks as writing and running applications to
manage human resources, facilities, purchasing and other core business
functions; making changes to travel schedules; and receiving notification
and making adjustments remotely when product
inventory falls below pre-set levels.