Over-the-air Handset Updates

Insignia Solutions has signed an agreement with IBM to port its System Secure Provisioning server software product onto the IBM Websphere platform and tightly integrate it with IBM's device management software. The two companies plan to co-sell and co-market the solution to mobile operators and phone manufacturers worldwide.

Insignia and IBM will also coordinate on the definition and commercial implementation of standards for device management through a variety of standards bodies. Standards for interoperability among mobile devices are critical to speed firmware update technologies to market and enable seamless adoption by consumers.

"Devices are becoming more powerful, more complex, more untethered," said Bruce Morse, Director, Business Development, IBM Pervasive Computing Division. "Being able to manage and update populations of consumer phones remotely with solutions such as Insignia's, enables mobile operators and terminal manufacturers to deploy wireless technologies cost effectively and efficiently."

Insignia Secure System Provisioning (SSP) is a server software infrastructure product that provides an end-to-end firmware update system for mobile operators and phone manufacturers. SSP reduces bottom line software recall costs by enabling Over-The-Air Repair and inventory management and also increases top line revenues by providing Dynamic Capabilities to enable a wide range of new mobile services to existing devices.

"We see IBM as a key strategic ally in driving this new area of the mobile industry," said Mark McMillan, CEO of Insignia. "IBM's industry-leading mobile device management middleware, extensive enterprise management expertise and open standards efforts provide an outstanding platform for Insignia to build advanced value added applications. By having our engineering, sales and marketing teams working together a common agenda will accelerate these solutions into the market."

Posted to the site on 14th January 2004