November 27, 2000
(Computerworld)
For customers of data mining software maker MicroStrategy Inc., the instant availability of their stored data for sales, inventory, shipping and profits is critical.
But until now, MicroStrategy users could get at their databases only when they were in front of their computers.
That problem will soon vanish, the Vienna, Va.-based company said. MicroStrategy recently announced plans to integrate wireless data transmission capabilities from Aether Systems Inc. into the next version of MicroStrategy's flagship data mining software, allowing users to access corporate data wherever they go.
The companies said they will jointly develop a new product, MicroStrategy 7M, which will combine Aether's proprietary Aether Intelligent Messaging (AIM) technology with the functionality of the existing MicroStrategy 7 business intelligence platform. The goal is to deliver personalized information services to a full range of wireless devices, from handhelds to cell phones.
MicroStrategy spokesman Michael Quint said the companies will form a 20-member joint engineering team to develop the MicroStrategy 7M software, which should be available by next June. Aether was selected as MicroStrategy's partner because it has an established customer support system and a dependable wireless infrastructure, Quint said.
Messaging Middleware
Wayne Jackson, a managing director at Owings Mills, Md.-based Aether, said AIM is a middleware messaging layer that allows the efficient transmission of data across any wireless network. "What we allow software developers to do is to build a single standard and deliver those applications to any device over any network," Jackson said.
The Aether product supports most portable devices, including those from Research In Motion Ltd. (RIM) in Waterloo, Ontario, and Symbian Ltd. in London, and operating systems such as Windows CE, Palm OS and Pocket PC, he said. AIM also supports standard application programming interfaces (API) and works at the application layer by utilizing Aether's software development kits, which include libraries for mobile, server, wireless and wireline application development.
Wireless security is provided by a mechanism based on the Elliptic Curve Cryptosystem developed by Hayward, Calif.-based Certicom Corp., using public-key cryptography. This system is used in Aether servers and clients, providing end-to-end security.
MicroStrategy customers using 7M will be able to make one phone call to initiate wireless service with Aether for the new software. Aether will configure compatible devices and ship them to users. Initial equipment fees and monthly service fees will be charged.
Financial services provider Charles Schwab & Co. in San Francisco has used Aether for the past year to provide its clients with wireless capabilities to track their investments, make trades or get real-time confirmation of transactions, wherever they are.
Nasos Topakas, a vice president of technology at Schwab, said its customers use Aether-equipped Palm III or IV personal digital assistants or pagers from RIM to get their information using the PocketBroker software that Aether developed for Schwab.
Francesca Mabarak, a senior analyst at Boston-based research firm The Yankee Group, said the agreement with Aether represents a significant technical boost for MicroStrategy, which is trying to tap into the emerging wireless market and recover from a series of financial difficulties earlier this year.
"MicroStrategy has a good software platform," Mabarak said. "And Aether is one of the best wireless enablers out there today."
Mabarak noted that Aether supports all of the major wireless protocols, including Wireless Application Protocol. "They can support all different kinds of applications and have a lot of good partnerships that allow them to add new services easily and quickly," she said.