Mformation Signs Go-to-Market Agreement with HP to Promote Mobile Device Management Solutions Worldwide.

"Mformation... today announced that it has expanded its relationship with HP. Mformation is now HP’s preferred MDM solution provider.

The expanded cooperation between Mformation and HP covers the complete end-to-end needs of mobile operators and enterprises for the management of mobile devices and services."

HP To Unveil New WebOS-Based Smart Phones In 2011.

"Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) in early 2011 will introduce new smart phones based on the WebOS software it now owns via the $1.2 billion Palm acquisition earlier this year."

HP Offers Cloud-Based Management for Smartphones, Notebooks.

"Hewlett-Packard has unveiled a cloud-based mobile device management system for IT managers struggling to keep track of the growing number of smartphones, notebooks and other wireless devices in the workplace. HP is also looking to partner with telecommunications companies to provide this management tool as a managed service.

The rather awkwardly named HP Cloud Services Enablement for Device Management as a Service, which HP officially rolled out Sept. 20, supports various device management tasks, including device configuration, distributing applications, diagnosing problems, enforcing security policies and protecting the data by backing up the information...

While HP is providing the cloud delivery and functionality to integrate with operating and business support systems, the actual mobile device management solution is from Mformation Technologies, which provides MDM software to service providers."

Palm slashes App Catalog download fees in half.

"Palm announced that the vast majority of webOS applications available via the device maker's App Catalog storefront are available at half off now through July 9... Palm App Catalog features fewer than 3,000 webOS apps, far behind rivals like Apple's App Store, which boasts more than 225,000 applications for the iPhone and iPod touch."

HP and RIM Get Cozy in the Enterprise.

"What's going on with HP and BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIM)? The exact details aren't slated for release until next month, but the two companies are expected to announce a significant partnership, InternetNews.com has learned.

An e-mail from HP previewing the announcement stated: 'In early May, HP and RIM will announce a new partnership that will help mobile enterprise customers increase service levels, improve productivity and reduce operations costs.'

The e-mail went on to say: 'With the number of mobile employees rapidly growing, enterprises are looking to ensure productivity and reduce risks. The new joint offerings will span the HP portfolio to enhance and support enterprise mobility.'

While no other details were forthcoming, IDC analyst Stephen Drake said it makes sense that HP (NYSE: HPQ) and RIM (NASDAQ: RIMM) would formalize ties related to mobile management."

WDSGlobal and HP Team to Provide Over-the-air Provisioning Technologies.

"WDSGlobal announced today the signing of a global agreement enabling HP to resell WDSGlobal’s DCE (Device Configuration Engine) software to HP’s Mobility Solutions customers.

Targeted to mobile operators, the offering will integrate HP’s MMC (Mobile Management Center) and WDSGlobal’s DCE (Device Configuration Engine), delivering a comprehensive Mobile Device Management solution to better enable value-added data services across the feature phone category."

Bitfone OTA Apps Re-Appear as HP.

"Bitfone’s former FusionDM application is now called Mobile Management Center, but the Bitfone mProve client retains its name... A new component is the Enterprise Mobility Suite, which lets companies use some traditional carrier and handset tools without having to subscribe to anything.

The enterprise product can be used for tracking mobile assets, configuring and troubleshooting devices, security and policy management, Yang said. HP may include these functions with certain enterprise models of its iPaq brand of handhelds – but the company will still support the traditional OTA market as well, he added.

Another new feature is the ability to integrate the OTA software with third-party applications... and the wireless connections can work on Wi-Fi, WiMAX or ordinary cellular links...

Currently, the software is available for Windows Mobile and Symbian devices."

HP on UWB, TV and cellular.

"Security is also an issue preventing businesses from rolling out mobile apps on cellphones. As many as 10,000 handsets a month are left in cabs in Chicago alone, McKinney claimed. That drove HP to acquire Bitfone for its over-the-air software update technology which HP has upgraded so it can also remotely erase any data on a lost handset."

HP announces support for Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008.

"HP today announced plans for a portfolio of services and solutions to help ensure that enterprise customers experience a seamless transition when deploying mobile device management software.

HP plans to add Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 to HP Services' comprehensive mobility offering, which already includes the HP Enterprise Mobility Suite. Additionally, HP plans to support interoperability with future HP iPAQ handheld devices that will be compatible with Microsoft's Mobile Device Manager."

Mobile Mania? HP says it has IT's back.

"MDM is a suite of mobility services that comes with HP support staff to help enterprise IT departments deploy, support and manage their mobile enterprises. Areas of coverage include security, installation, startup, technical support, mobile infrastructure and maintenance, as well as the integration of mobile applications, devices and the network.

Another offering, HP Service Desk, provides a single point of contact for repair and support of devices, software and connectivity, which HP said includes around-the-clock, multi-vendor technical expertise worldwide.

Kay sees MDM as building on technology HP acquired with the purchase of device management company Bitfone late last year. HP already started tapping Bitfone's remote management technology back in February when it announced its new line of iPaq smartphones would include it...

Virtualization might emerge as a key enabler of a kind of hybrid ownership of mobile devices, portioning consumer and business applications."

HP and Motorola reaffirm deal on Bitfone client.

[the following information is from June 11 --
also see a related post from March that announced
Motorola replaces Bitfone with Red Bend client for FOTA]

"Motorola has not ditched the Bitfone mobile device management client from HP in favor of Red Bend’s and still uses it on some of its phones, just as it will continue to use the Bitfone server on the back end...

'Motorola has a strong relationship with both companies... While I cannot share the details of our business relationships, we plan to continue to use both companies' technology in our handset portfolio and continue to use HP/Bitfone as our FOTA server partner.'...

What some industry pundits suggest is that Motorola is retaining the Bitfone client for handsets running an RTOS, but will use Red Bend on its smart phones on Linux. If correct, that still leaves the question of which it will ship on the Windows Mobile smart phones it produces for the business market, not to mention the Symbian phone it unveiled at 3GSM earlier this year.

HP bought Bitfone to use the technology on its iPAQ range of handheld devices, which run the Windows Mobile OS, though it also positions it as a broader, heterogeneous offering to support whatever smart phone OSes corporate customers require."

HP swims upstream on mobile device management.

"Hewlett-Packard is going in the opposite direction from most of the players in the mobile device management (MDM) space, planning to launch a platform to sell directly into the enterprise market rather than indirectly via carriers... IBM appears to have killed off its WEDM product in this category and is rumored to have been sniffing round Bitfone when HP came along, a story Wang declined to comment on. InnoPath and mFormation could certainly become attraction acquisition targets over the next year or two."

Cell-C to use mFormation.

"South African mobile operator Cell-C is to use Mformation's Service Manager device management suite to remotely manage its device portfolio, and will benefit from real-time control over devices. The solution is integrated with HP’s Automatic Device Detection (ADD) software and will allow Cell-C to remotely detect and configure phones and devices throughout all phases of their life, allowing the operator to use next-generation wireless technology profitably."

Telefónica selects mFormation.

Telefónica Móviles España (TME) "is using Mformation’s solution to remotely configure, diagnose and manage feature phones and smart devices to satisfy customer’s needs. In addition, the company is offering a hosted mobile device management and security solution to its enterprise customers. The TME solution is being delivered by Mformation and its systems integration partner HP. "

HP targets business market with iPaq smartphone.

"Hewlett-Packard announced a smartphone for business users on Monday, appealing to IT administrators by offering remote software management from Bitfone... HP will launch the iPaq 500 series smartphones in April or May, depending on Microsoft Corp.'s timing in releasing its new Windows Mobile 6.0 OS. HP plans to charge $299 to $349 for an unlocked version of the phone, and will announce deals with individual carriers after the initial launch."

Forrester Research: With Bitfone, HP moves to solve MDM pain.

"The acquisition shows that enterprise mobility is a major focus for HP moving forward and traditional endpoint management vendors, like Altiris, CA, and LANDesk, should take mobile endpoint management seriously."

HP's lagging smart-phone business eyes boost from startup acquisition.

"'The iPaqs are very competitive today, and we're going to do more in the future.'... The more in the future starts with Bitfone. Its technology lets companies add or change software on handsets over the air via wireless networks... While the iPhone targets consumers, the iPaq and Bitfone target businesses."

Hewlett-Packard to buy Bitfone.

"Hewlett-Packard Co. said Wednesday it agreed to buy Bitfone Corp., a privately held developer of software that help businesses manage mobile devices."

HP unveils revolutionary wireless chip.

"HP just developed a Grain-sized chip that could be attached to almost any object and contain almost limitless amounts of information... The experimental chip, developed by the 'Memory Spot' research team at HP Labs, is a memory device based on CMOS (a widely used, low-power integrated circuit design) and about the size of a grain of rice or smaller (2 mm to 4 mm square), with a built-in antenna. The chips could be embedded in a sheet of paper or stuck to any surface, and could eventually be available in a booklet as self-adhesive dots."

HP helps telecom industry deliver new wave of mobile services.

"Telefonica Moviles Espana (TME) has deployed the HP Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution to provide better remote support -- and an easier and more enjoyable experience -- for consumer and enterprise customers. TME, which serves 19.5 million customers in Spain, is a part of Telefonica Moviles Group, the world's fourth largest mobile provider. The HP MDM solution consists of HP hardware and integration services and mFormation's comprehensive mobile device management software."