Palm Monday announced the availability of its Tungsten Mobile Information Management (MIM) Solution. The product is a secure wireless email and groupware access solution.
The Tungsten MIM Solution was introduced as the Palm Wireless Messaging Solution. This re-branded product, which does have additional functionality, is the first product to be announced under Palm’s new business and professional subbrand, Tungsten. The solution provides secure access to corporate email, calendars, contacts, notes and tasks from systems like MS Exchange and Lotus Domino. The solution also supports access to IMAP4 compliant email systems.
The Tungsten MIM Solution builds on functions of Palm’s i705 — specifically its ‘always on’ radio function. Because of this, the device can receive “push” email and meeting requests. Palm also stated that the solution includes support for access via WLAN technologies, specifically 802.11b. This is currently supported on the Palm m500 series via a Xircom Wireless LAN Module. The solution was built on top of Palm’s Reliable Transport for Mobile Applications (RTMA), presently being used by BEA and IBM as part of strategic agreements previously announced this summer.
Users can download and view email attachments through the use of an included server-side attachment-processing platform. In addition, users can synchronize MS Office documents through the cradle using DataViz’s Documents-to-Go product bundled with the handheld.
The Tungsten MIM Solution uses a combination of authentication, encryption, and data integrity assurances. The cryptographic services used in the solution encrypt messages end-to-end using Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and are pending FIPS certification, the company said. In addition, Security Plus, a bundled security client application, enables IT administrators to enforce security policies on the handheld including passwords and data encryption.
A new tool from Palm called the Enterprise Services Portal provides IT administrators with control of wireless accounts for Palm i705 handhelds. Along with activation, IT administrators can also swap and quarantine handhelds from a single graphical interface. The Tungsten MIM Solution offers a single source for comprehensive enterprise service and support.
The complete Tungsten MIM Solution is comprised of the following components:
- Palm i705 handhelds and/or m500 series handhelds with Xircom Wireless LAN Module;
- Mobile Information Management Server;
- Enterprise Services Portal;
- Maintenance and Support.
Estimated U.S. Street Price of the MIM Server is $2,499 and will be generally available on Oct. 28 for Windows NT and 2000 platforms. Palm said that a Solaris version will be available shortly thereafter. The server includes 25 client licenses, and additional client license packs are available. Volume discounts will be available. Annual support and maintenance contracts are priced at 20 percent of the total license fee. Enterprise Palm.Net service will be available on a plan for $39.99/month. Volume service discounts also will be available.
