OneBridge Now Offers Multifeatured Mobile Solutions For Enterprises

OneBridge includes a large number of middleware connectors that extend enterprise package applications such as Siebel Systems, SAP AG, Tibco's messaging solutions, Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes and any ODBC database. In addition, OneBridge includes a Business Logic SDK and a Data Driver SDK to allow connectivity to legacy systems. The platform also includes a mobile SDK for applications that use Component Object Model (COM) objects.

On the server side, the OneBridge platform manages clients using a synchronization server called Sync Server. To maintain interoperability with multiple devices, the same data hooks in the Sync Server and administration program are used in every client. This architecture makes it easy to map connections between client and server databases. For instance, developers can map ADOCE SQL Server CE databases to server-side OLEDB databases without having to create interfaces between the two.

OneBridge Sync Server can maintain session states so it provides some transactional capabilities to mobile applications. Once a connection is made between a mobile application and a Sync Server, the server behaves like a Web service client and creates a session for that client with an asynchronous connection. Ultimately, application configurations and administration settings on the server side determine how long clients can stay connected.

The Sync Server and the client software utilize a bidirectional Groupware listener method that will update both the device and enterprise system whenever either one detects changes from Exchange, Notes or a mobile client. On the server side, the listener is application-specific and must be configured before accessing data from the e-mail application.

In this release, the Sync Server provides an API for pushing data to mobile applications. Previous versions of OneBridge only extended the data- push concept to IP connections. Now, server-side applications can use the API to alert mobile users of new tasks. By pushing actions or data, OneBridge applications have the ability to track up-to-date information on mobile users and include them in workflow scenarios. For instance, a dispatcher at a mechanical contracting company can delegate jobs to the mechanics in the field by notifying them through a server-side, workflow-type application.

What's more, because OneBridge clients work with rich-client applications and can handle multiple tasks while synchronization is taking place, mobile applications become more than just front ends to enterprise data. Moreover, users do not have to have live connections back to the Sync Server to work with data. The mechanical contractor, for example, can create an application that receives signatures for job approvals and passes the images back to a company database so invoices can be produced instantly after jobs are completed, without requiring the mechanic to drive back to the office.

The core synchronization libraries including security components range from 500,000 to 800,000, depending on the OS. Typically, rich-client applications require about 1 Mbyte of storage.

At its core, each OneBridge client software uses a Live Connect engine that is device-agnostic. Live Connect's synchronization logic works above the hardware layer and can be ported to multiple OSes. Live Connect now supports Palm, Windows CE Pocket PC, Symbian, RIM and Orange Smartphone operating systems. The OneBridge platform also supports wireless networks including 802.11b wireless LANs and Bluetooth.

Unfortunately, application providers can only work with a limited version of the platform and technical training is only available to partners. Extended Systems relies mostly on its own professional services arm to provide design, development and testing solutions directly to customers.

The company provides a dedicated account manager, sales leads and unlimited Web and phone technical support to its Platinum Premier partners. For its lower-tier partners, Extended Systems offers product discounts and sales Webinars. Partner placement depends on meeting particular sales and technical requirements.

The company offers dedicated support to top-tier partners but does not yet offer 24x7 technical support. As tested, OneBridge costs between $100 and $200 per seat, depending on volume. The average solution provider margin is also based on volume and ranges from 5 percent to 40 percent.

CHANNEL PROGRAM SNAPSHOTS
>ONEBRIDGE MOBILE SOLUTIONS PLATFORM

COMPANY: Extended Systems
Boise, Idaho
(800) 235-7576
www.extendedsystems.com
DISTRIBUTORS: Sells direct to end users.
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Note: Vendors can earn up to five stars for technical merit and five for their channel program. If the average of these two scores is four stars or greater, the product earns CRN Test Center Recommended status.