Soft-Switch and ARDIS to Integrate Wireless and Enterprise Messaging Technologies
LOS ANGELES — March 16, 1992 — Soft-Switch Inc. announced Monday that it will collaborate with Ardis to extend the enterprise mail networking capability of Soft-Switch products with the wireless communication technology of Ardis.
The integration of advanced radio technology and store and forward transaction processing via electronic mail will enable customers to leverage investments in enterprise messaging and wireless communications to improve customer service and increase enterprise productivity. The two firms are now actively working together and with customers to determine the best combination of products and services to meet customer needs.
Soft-Switch Vice President of Business Development, Stephen Layne, noted, "In our competitive, just-in-time business environment, the integration of wireless data communications and electronic messaging technologies is a natural outgrowth of the increasing use of portable computing. Our customers will be able to extend the scope of their enterprise mail networks by developing access to mail-enabled applications from mobile field locations."
Soft-Switch will use its proven mail, API, SNAPI, to link application programs via electronic mail and the Ardis wireless communications system. SNAPI, the Soft-Switch Network Applications Programming Interface, is an established open API that allows applications on any platform to move information over a store-and-forward enterprise electronic mail network — thus making them "mail-enabled." Through its extensive connectivity options, Soft-Switch can connect these applications to every major electronic mail system in use today.
"Wireless connectivity will dramatically enhance people's ability to manage information flow, anytime, anywhere. We are excited to join forces with a market leader like Soft-Switch to provide wireless mail-enabled solutions," said Paul Munk, director of business developments for Ardis.
Businesses and government agencies with large field operations will realize the greatest productivity improvements through extension of critical applications beyond the office. Pharmaceutical salespeople, for example, will be able to send orders at their point of origin directly from portable PCs through the enterprise electronic messaging network to a central application for processing. Long distance truckers in the petroleum industry will automatically send in messages containing delivery tickets, and receive dispatch orders. Environmental researchers in remote sites will be able to send in test results, and receive reports and analysis — all without leaving the location being studied.
The key aspect of this electronic mail transaction processing is that all information passed between people and applications is stored in an electronic "mail box" until ready to be used. This allows creation and transmission of data without the user being "on-line" with the application program. Mail enabled wireless communications can support work order management, shipping document transmission, dispatch operations, vehicle status and location tracking, and many other key applications.
ARDIS, a partnership of IBM and Motorola, operates the first nationwide radio data information service enabling in-building and on-street data communications between hand-held terminals and host computers. The combined ARDIS and Bell-ARDIS networks service more than 8,000 cities and towns in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and over 350 cities and towns in nine provinces in Canada. Together they cover more than 75% of the population and 85% of the business activity in the two countries.
Soft-Switch Inc. provides standards-based connectivity, electronic mail network management, and mail-enabled applications that add value to customers' expanding electronic mail networks. A privately held corporation, it is the acknowledged leader in supplying high-performance, open-architecture enterprise mail networks to large corporations. The company also licenses its technology to major office systems and public electronic mail system vendors. In addition to its Wayne, Pa. headquarters Soft-Switch has regional headquarters in Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington D.C. Outside the U.S., the company provides direct sales and support in France, Germany, Norway and the U.K. with coverage in other countries through a network of international distributors.
The trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this release are the property of other companies who are not affiliated or associated with Soft-Switch. Soft-Switch is a registered trademark of Soft-Switch Inc.
CONTACT:
Soft-Switch Inc., Wayne, Pa.
Walt Wilson, 215/640-9600
by
G.S. Schwartz Inc., New York
Sue Hoffman, 212/696-4744