Nokia
announced today that it will expand its focus on
the business world with the launch of its new
software solution, Nokia Business Center, which
delivers business applications and mobile email
for smartphones and business-optimized mobile
devices. Nokia's goal is to change the economics
of mobility, making applications like mobile
email more affordable, intuitive and
collaborative so employees have more freedom to
work, while companies realize greater return on
investment. This vision is in line with Nokia's
goal to be the mobile device provider of choice
for businesses of all sizes, while delivering a
simple, integrated mobile voice and application
experience.
The mobile email market is vast and untapped.
Industry experts report there are 650 million
corporate email inboxes in use today, while
current corporate mobile email subscribers number
less than 10 million. In a recent survey among
IDC's Mobile Advisory Council members whose
organizations had mobilized at least one business
function, wireless email was virtually universal
having been deployed by 82 percent of these
organizations.
"We are focused on changing the economics of
mobile email adoption with Nokia Business Center.
As the leading mobile phone manufacturer in the
world, we have the distinct advantage of being
able to make a great mobile business device that
can be used to make phone calls, do email, or use
other applications. Considering 70 percent of
people who use popular email devices also carry a
mobile phone, the opportunity for us to provide
one device and solution that perfectly addresses
both the voice and data experiences is
tremendous," said Mary McDowell, executive
vice president of Nokia's Enterprise Solutions
business group. "In the current landscape,
many industry players are going after a slice of
the potential mobile email market. Nokia is going
after the full 650 million corporate email
inboxes. We want to knock down the barriers to
mobilizing the entire corporate email
market."
McDowell continued, "We have the background,
legacy, and experience to excel in this
marketplace, and we intend to do so. We have only
just begun to offer businesses the type of
cost-effective, easy-to-use, and reliable
business solutions they are seeking."
Nokia is poised to meet the needs of companies
across the globe as it expands its strategy to
focus on business customers. Nokia's integrated
portfolio of business offerings includes Nokia
devices, applications, security, support and
professional services, while working together
with partners and channels to deliver customized
solutions for each customer. The company's vision
around business - enabling workforce mobility -
is supported by industry experts and offers a
compelling opportunity for success.
"Worldwide enterprise wireless email
adoption has only begun to scratch the surface,
just as a fraction of the hundreds of millions of
corporate email seats that have mobile access in
the world is approaching two billion wireless
subscribers," said Stephen Drake, program
director IDC's Mobile Software Services.
"Successful providers delivering corporate
mobile email solutions must address the need for
mass market adoption."
"By collaborating broadly with emerging and
established mobile email solutions players, and
offering our own capability with the launch of
Nokia Business Center, Nokia offers businesses a
broad choice of mobile e-mail solutions, delivery
options, and deployment methods to create a
mobile e-mail environment for their specific
needs," said Scott Cooper, vice president,
Mobility Solutions of Nokia's Enterprise
Solutions business group.
"The combination of Nokia's powerful brand,
worldwide reach, and extensive carrier
relationships make them a market leader in
enterprise mobility," said Danny Shader,
CEO, Good Technology. "Nokia Business Center
will drive even greater demand for Nokia-powered
handhelds, and we're happy to collaborate closely
with them to deliver a broad set of applications
that include and extend beyond enterprise
messaging."
"We are working closely with Good Technology
and our common carrier partners to deliver
comprehensive enterprise solutions on Nokia
business devices," continued Cooper.
"GoodLink and GoodAccess complement Nokia
Business Center and will provide an end-to-end
handheld computing experience, including access
to mission critical enterprise applications such
as email, CRM, ERP and Unified Messaging, for
Nokia's customers and channels who select Good's
SLA-backed software and service." Along with
other email partners, Nokia offers the broadest
choice of critical email solutions businesses are
seeking today.
"The nature of our work requires that many
of our staff often travel and work
remotely," said Mark Newall, a partner in
Accenture's Communications & High Tech
practice in the United Kingdom.
"Participating in the UK pilot for Nokia
Business Center will allow us to explore
different communications options and gain further
insight into the mobile enterprise solutions the
market is demanding."
"Nokia is differentiating its enterprise
Wireless email solution with a Network Operations
Center-independent approach that will gain
attention from operators and enterprises seeking
cost effective alternatives in an increasingly
crowded space," said Kevin Burden, program
manager, IDC Mobile Device Service.
As part of Nokia's mobile application strategy,
Nokia is working with operators around the world
to deliver Nokia Business Center via
operator-branded services and client software.
"We are currently conducting a pilot of
Nokia Business Center for mobile email, calendar
and contacts," said Miroslaw Bielicki, vice
president of Polkomtel SA, a Polish network
operator of Plus GSM. "Plus GSM is
considering the addition of Nokia Business Center
to its 'Mobile Office' services portfolio,
pending a successful test period. These services
enable mobile work beyond the office, and provide
instant access to information located on
enterprise mail servers, such as email, calendar
and contacts."
Nokia Business Center can be purchased from
select carriers and accredited resellers and will
be available in the Americas and EMEA in the
fourth quarter of 2005. Pilots will begin in
other markets during the fourth quarter. For
features and technical information about Nokia
Business Center, please visit
http://www.nokia.com/business, or view the
accompanying detailed product announcement also
made today.
About Nokia
Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications,
driving the growth and sustainability of the
broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people
to each other and the information that matters to
them with easy-to-use and innovative products
like mobile phones, devices and solutions for
imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia
provides equipment, solutions and services for
network operators and corporations. www.nokia.com.
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