Upcoming Events

Cloud Connect
Santa Clara
Feb 13-16, 2012

Cloud Connect brings together the entire cloud eco-system to better understand the transformation we're experiencing and promises to be the defining event of the cloud computing industry. Learn about the latest cloud technologies and platforms from thought leaders in Cloud Connect’s comprehensive conference.

Register Now!

R E V I E W

E-Mail Without Wires

May 29, 2003
By Dave Molta

>> continued from previous page

Extended Systems

	Issue TOC
	Print full article
	Print this page
	Download as PDF
	E-Mail this URL
	Discuss this article
	Flame the author

	In this article
	Introduction
	Selection Criteria
	Synchrologic
	Extended Systems
	Good Technology
	Research in Motion (RIM)
	Sprint-Seven
	T-Mobile
	Executive Summary \| Scenario \| Evaluating Wireless E-Mail ROI
	Responses To RFIs

Extended Systems presented its XTNDConnect Server as a wireless e-mail solution, emphasizing the system's ability to mobilize virtually any enterprise application in addition to Exchange and Domino, while also providing device-management capabilities for several platforms. The presentation was clear and concise and demonstrated a solid understanding of the enterprise implementation and management issues associated with wireless e-mail. While we found Synchrologic's response to be a little stronger, Extended's XTNDConnect Server offers a very similar solution that should be closely evaluated if you are looking for a behind-the-firewall mobile middleware system.

The XTNDConnect client is installed on mobile devices and provides secure synchronization for network applications. Wireless users are provided with both online and offline capabilities, but it's worth noting that you can sync with servers in a variety of ways.

Extended Systems' response to our request for ROI models was not particularly strong. The company provided a simple field-engineer anecdote where wireless

e-mail could provide substantial staff time savings. The company also offered case studies for 3M and Reuters that, though not applicable to our scenario, spoke to the system's power and scalability.

The XTNDConnect Server environment supports a wide range of mobile devices, including Palm OS, Pocket PC, RIM, Symbian and SyncML clients. The system provides a range of device management capabilities, including software deployment, backup and document transfer. The server can also be used for software/hardware inventory and asset tracking.

XTNDConnect Server's security setup appears quite strong. Extended Systems asserted that it is the only system of its kind to use FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards)-compliant encryption modules for end-to-end data integrity. A variety of back-end authentication systems are supported, and the system can delete data from lost or stolen devices automatically. XTNDConnect Server also supports synchronization of PIM information, including contacts, calendars, tasks and notes, on all major device platforms. Advanced filtering capabilities let you selectively download content over slow links.

We sometimes have trouble getting vendors to supply detailed pricing information, but that wasn't the case with Extended Systems--it sent us its global price list for the entire product line. Implementing this system will require a substantial resource commitment: The enterprise server costs $20,000, and clients are priced on a sliding scale and with different feature combinations, at prices from $95 to $245. Discounted bundles of the server and client packs are available, as is a less expensive Standard Groupware Edition, which lacks device management and customized mobile application capabilities.

Extended Systems, (208) 322-7575, (800) 235-7576. www.extendedsystems.com