Mirapoint's latest software modules, i-mode Direct and WAPCal, add features to the all-in-one box unified messaging solution for service providers with advanced and wireless networks.

ISP-Planet Staff [October 31, 2001]

Mirapoint, a manufacturer of messaging solutions (hardware plus software), expanded its converged messaging platform to incorporate i-mode services and a WAP calendar, nearly completing the services it hopes to offer providers of GPRS, UMTS, and 3G networks.

The company released two new modules for its products. The modules, a WAP calendar (called WAPCal) and i-mode access (called i-mode Direct), are installed when Mirapoint product owners update their software, but cannot be used until owners pay an activation fee.

Owners do not need to purchase any new equipment or alter their networks in any other way to take advantage of the new modules (as long as their networks already support converged services).

The i-mode module, called "i-mode Direct" allows customers to access Mirapoint products through i-mode phones. Jeff Geromel, Mirapoint director of product marketing, seemed optimistic that there would soon be i-mode deployments outside of Japan, but at press time, knew only of trials.

The WAP calendar module offers an interface similar to Mirapoint's already-deployed WebCAL, a browser-based calendar. Both products offer a common address book that can be used to send e-mails or to make phone calls. Geromel is especially pleased with Mirapoint's ability to offer one-click phone calling from its WAP and Web address books.

Satish Ramachandran, Mirapoint's chairman and CEO, believes in the future of unified messaging, and Mirapoint's products currently support all forms of IP messaging from the basic to the most advanced: SMTP, LDAP, POP, IMAP, HTML, and WAP. Ramachandran said, "With Mirapoint's rich mobile messaging products, service providers can accelerate the availability of new services to accommodate the requirements from a diverse community of mobile users."

Look for an XML module in the future. Geromel says, "We plan an XML module within the next few quarters. XML functionality is exciting because it would allow service providers to write and deliver their own applications."

Pricing and availability
The new software modules are available now.

Pricing depends on the volume ordered. A service provider with 100,000 subscribers would pay approximately $1 per user for the i-mode Direct module and $0.50 for the WAPCal module.

—End