Former Logical Executive Heads Messaging Startup

That mantra is playing itself out with launch of SmartMSG, an instant messaging product from Codespear, which is a startup headed by President and CEO Paul Hodges. Prior to joining Codespear, Hodges was CEO of Bloomfield Computer Systems, a VAR that was acquired by Logical in 1999. Hodges stayed with Logical until mid-2001.

Originally developed for Ford Motor, SmartMSG is a business-continuity tool that allows organizations to broadcast urgent messages to a variety of e-mail clients, mobile phones, pagers or PDAs. The system, said Hodges, is designed to give organizations a tool that guarantees delivery of messages in the event of an emergency to any executive, employee or business partner. It includes receipt notifications, multimedia messages, encryption, chat functions, conferencing tools and support for LDAP and Active Directory.

Hodges said he expects to eventually build a more formal channel program for SmartMSG next year.

"My background is working in the channel, and this is a toolset that can be made available as a component to ISVs or as a stand-alone product," said Hodges. "Right now, I have a network of people that we are working with. But in the end, we will probably formalize a channel program."

Based in Birmingham, Mich., Codespear began shipping SmartMSG this month. License fees start at $50 per user.