AT&T Wireless, Microsoft launch business service

REDMOND, Washington: AT&T Wireless Services Inc. is offering a new service that will allow corporate mobile phone and laptop users on the road to tap into information stored on their desktop computers using software from Microsoft Corp.

The two companies said the service, called AT&T Wireless WorkWare, will provide seamless, wireless access to software giant Microsoft's applications so users can retrieve email, schedule book, and documents behind corporate firewalls.

Unlike many of the services that require technicians to physically set up the devices, AT&T Wireless' service can be activated wirelessly. "We are offering a solution that dramatically simplifies the role of the IT department by delivering an easy to deploy, out-of-box solution," Andre Dahan, president of AT&T Wireless Mobile Multimedia Services.

AT&T Wireless and Microsoft first announced their partnership in July. The alliance was seen as a key step in the world's largest software maker's strategy of taking its software beyond the desktop. Wireless operators are betting high-speed wireless data services will spur sales after a slowdown in customer growth. Business users are considered a key market for wireless data.

The companies, which are both based in Redmond, Washington, said Hewlett-Packard Co. will serve as the preferred systems integrator for the service. AT&T Wireless also introduced Siemens SX56, a combination handheld computer-cell phone based on Pocket PC, Microsoft's software that allows users to swap instant messages, make phone calls and access business and personal information.

Such smart phones would be able to provide location-based services, such as the map service unveiled by the two companies last month, that uses Microsoft's .NET web-based software technology to quickly find other users, customers and businesses on a map displayed on the cell phone.

© Reuters