| There's a lot of hype at the moment about push | | | | to release its 'Community Technology Preview' |
| email technology. New cell phone handsets are | | | | build of Exchange Server 2003, Service pack 2. |
| beginning to support the technology and it seems | | | | And this is not the only step the giant is taking. In |
| to be getting its head into other areas of the | | | | June 2005, Intellisync announced a new service |
| market too. This could be the next big thing in the | | | | that would allow subscribers to receive push email |
| telecommunications industry and the speculation is | | | | on Windows Mobile, Palm OS and Symbian |
| heating up about who are going to be the major | | | | devices.While, of the current estimated 4 million |
| players involved.Right now there are at least five | | | | push email subscribers, most seem to be using |
| major operators in this market and surely this will | | | | RIM Blackberry devices, this assault will be difficult |
| be reduced in the near future. Most experts say | | | | to bare much longer.On the technical side, there |
| that there are simply too many of them fighting | | | | are two basic technologies that can provide push |
| over the same space.Right now both Visto and | | | | email solutions:one technology is true push;the |
| Seven have been keen to show their | | | | other has a push effect using |
| commitment to this technology. These are | | | | synchronization.While the user will not notice a |
| following the lead set by Canadian firm RIM | | | | significant difference when they log in to check |
| (Research In Motion) who brought the technology | | | | their mail, the costs vary to a considerable extent |
| into the spotlight with their Blackberry device. | | | | with true push technologies offering a far cheaper |
| While so far they have been concentrating on | | | | monthly cost to the user. While Intellisync is |
| supplying hardware, they have stated that they | | | | currently using a SyncML or synchronization |
| will be moving into the supply of software instead | | | | technology to serve its customers, RIM and |
| in the near future.The wave of consolidations has | | | | Microsoft are using their own proprietary |
| already begun. British vendor Comtag was | | | | systems. The system that has found favour both |
| acquired by Smartner who in turn was acquired | | | | with Vodafone, the world's largest network |
| by Seven; moving in parallel with this, Visto | | | | operator, and Rogers, the first operator to deploy |
| acquired Psion Software. It looks like the heat is | | | | Blackberry devices is the solution that Visto opted |
| turning up in the race to capture this market. Both | | | | for also. This is best described as a Proprietary + |
| Visto and Seven show no sign of flagging as they | | | | RTP/RTSP system and Visto calls it |
| continue to increase the number of operators | | | | ConstantSync. It effectively relies on a real time |
| they can lay claim to, as well as increasing the | | | | streaming protocol to deliver email over mobile |
| number of handsets and other supported devices | | | | networks.Whatever the technicalities behind the |
| they are marketing. Seven has also added a | | | | networks, there is a lot to play for in this |
| useful security feature which allows you to send a | | | | emerging market and we'll have to wait and see |
| special message to your device which will delete | | | | whose technology and handheld devices carry the |
| all the messages it currently has stored. This could | | | | most favour with customers. All have relative |
| be lifesaving if you left your handset in a public | | | | advantages and disadvantages both in terms of |
| place.Good Technology was somewhat shielded in | | | | technology and market strategy and it all really is |
| its area by supporting Palm and Windows devices | | | | still to play for.Linda Fowels shows you which |
| but now there is the new Windows Mobile based | | | | email software to use for a successful email |
| Treos to contend with.So what is Microsoft's | | | | marketing campaign at - an email marketing |
| reaction to all of this? Well, they appear to be | | | | software guide with tips on increasing your email |
| gearing up to enter the market. In his blog, | | | | list, building your newsletter and tracking your |
| Microsoft senior technology specialist, Harold Wong | | | | campaigns. |
| has reported that the company is getting ready | | | | |