To better compete with Research In Motion’s BlackBerry
offering, Good Technology has inked a deal to sell its wireless e-mail
service directly to Sprint business customers.
Previously, the service, which also provides two-way wireless
synchronization of contact lists, calendars, notes and tasks programs, was
only available through third-party providers.
The new agreement between the Santa Clara, Calif., messaging specialist and
Overland Park, Kan., telecom also means subscribers will have one bill for
Sprint voice service and GoodLink data services.
Good Technology also unveiled a number of other enhancements today: support
for Microsoft Windows Mobile smartphones; back-end integration with IBM
Lotus Notes and Domino; new foreign language compatibility; and increased
security measures.
“Sprint’s powerful distribution and reliable CDMA
bring GoodLink productivity and efficiency benefits to even more
customers more conveniently and cost-effectively,” Danny Shader, Good
Technology’s CEO, said in a statement.
It’s the second recent partnership with a wireless carrier aimed at adding
to its 6,500 corporate customers. Last month, it signed a
similar agreement with Cingular, the nation’s largest wireless carrier.
Good’s wireless e-mail and data software will be included when the carrier’s
1,700-person, business-to-business sales force makes its pitch to corporate
customers.
RIM and Good have battled in recent years. In May 2002, Good dragged RIM
into court in an attempt to invalidate some of the latter’s patents. In
July of that year, RIM sued Good for patent infringement.
After ugly charges of stealing trade secrets, unfair competition and breach
of good faith, the two companies settled in March 2004, with Good agreeing
to pay an undisclosed amount plus quarterly royalties to RIM.
Good’s strategy has been to forge partnerships with market leaders. In
February, it joined with HP to offer GoodLink on future
iPAQ releases. The deal followed a November 2004 agreement to add GoodLink
to Nokia Communicator line.
