To meet the current and future needs of mobile business applications users, IBM and IFS are collaborating on a solution that takes a new approach, “online when available”, rather than always online or always offline. Although first generation mobile applications, running on low-powered PDAs, offered costs savings for field service applications, technology was proprietary and solutions were developed for specific devices. Second-generation online connected WAP and web solutions ran multiple devices and offered broader functionality, but they were only practical in controlled environments such as warehouses and offices. With the new IFS/IBM approach, an on-the-move user can pick up data from any one of the great variety of devices appearing on the market at an accelerated pace in any location.

“IFS’ component approach combined with IBM Java technology for mobile devices is a perfect match to fulfill market demands. We have worked with IBM products for the previous generations of mobile solutions. When it was time to select an infrastructure for the future we did a new extensive evaluation of products from all major vendors. IBM’s WebSphere Everyplace technologies proved superior,” says Michael Hallén, president of IFS R&D.

Within the joint effort IFS is developing IFS Mobile Engine ™, a robust server component for data synchronization and mobile transaction processing. IBM contributes the messaging infrastructure along with client side technologies and competence from IBM Solution Partner Centre at Hursley, UK. The client solution is based on Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME) running on top of an IBM J9 Java virtual machine, using DB2 Everyplace for secure storage and MQ Everyplace for reliable transaction processing. In addition to serving IFS Mobile & Wireless Solutions, IFS Mobile Engine ™ offers a full Web Service interface exposing offline and synchronization capabilities to other applications. First deliveries are expected in Q1 2003.

“IFS holds a leading position in both defense and service and asset-intensive industries, where core processes are performed out of office and on the move. With IFS expertise and presence in these markets we can be sure that the solutions built will really provide the benefits and fast payback customers require,” comments Lawrence Sellin, Mobile Internet Alliances Executive at IBM.