Xora Extends Mobile Middleware To Midsize Market

Xora

Xora's Wireless Starter Kit connects up to 25 workers,a subset of the hundreds of users supported by the enterprise version of the application,to back-end data via wireless, modem or voice connections. The application supports applications from IBM, Siebel, i2 and Oracle, among others, the company said.

While the application can cost up to $225,000 for a full, enterprise implementation, Steve Peck, director of marketing at Xona, said the Starter Kit will be priced from $60,000 to $70,000 for the 25-user version.

"These companies could definitely benefit from wireless access, but typically [don't have resource to spend $250,000 on [the solution," he said. "What we are trying to do is bring the solution to them."

IRMAC, an Eagan, Minn., solution provider partnered with Xora to deliver wireless capabilities around ERP systems such as Great Plains, Fourth Shift and Macola. IRMAC President Chandra Deval said Xora's solution provides an unusual in for a smaller customer base.

"Other products aren't as oriented to the midtier," he said.

In addition, he said Xora's application was chosen because it affords little customization or programming by the IRMAC IT team. "It's easy to develop and modify to connect with any of the ERP systems," Deval said.

Although mobile middleware providers had a slower than expected year in 2001, IDC researchers expect the market to pick up as a result of better education in the market and improved wireless networks, according to a recent report. The research firm said U.S. mobile middleware revenue will grow from about $165 million last year to $183 million in 2002 and $1.24 billion in 2006.