Attix5 enjoys 3GSM World Congress success
Issued by: TechNews
Local software developer Attix5 showcased its mobile
backup software, Backup Professional ME, at the annual
3GSM World Congress recently held in Cannes, France.
According to Ian van Reenen, Attix5 CTO, the software
was well received by handset manufacturers, operating
systems developers and service providers, who agreed
that Backup Professional ME fitted well with their
service delivery roadmaps: "As users become more
demanding, they require more value from their technology
and mobile services. Our software enables users to
backup and store critical data on their mobile devices
just as they would on their PCs, and allows service
providers to deliver a differentiated value-added
offering."
The 3GSM World Congress is the largest wireless (cellphone)
convention of the year and attracts delegates from
every segment of the mobile phone industry. And, adds
Van Reenen, is the most important calendar event for
mobile technology providers such as Attix5. "One
of the key goals for Attix5 was to build relationships
with providers. Through our discussions with them,
we confirmed users want our product and that the operators
are comfortable rolling it out to their user bases."
Providers, he says, see growing average revenue per
user (ARPU) as a critical aspect of their business.
They are, therefore, encouraging the use of smart
phones in order to raise ARPU. "Attix5 sees Backup
Professional ME as an ideal value-added service in
this space."
Although 90% of service provider income is currently
generated from voice traffic, data traffic will be
the main revenue earner in the near future.
There is a steady market penetration and growth in
terms of data-capable phones and an increase in usage
of these services from e-mail to banking.
"It is this market that is ideally suited to
mobile phone backup, notwithstanding the fact the
Attix5 software offering is designed to cater for
legacy phones as well," Van Reenen says. "Attendance
at 3GSM has yielded real value to Attix5. Last year
we were able to ascertain what the needs and demands
of operators and users were. This year we were able
to showcase a product, which was developed from this
knowledge and confirm its viability in the market."
Van Reenen and his team at Attix5 maintained close
consultation with handset manufacturers, operating
system developers and service providers throughout
the 18-month development cycle of the software. "This
conference gave us the ideal opportunity to showcase
the result of this interaction and receive valuable
feedback.
"In addition, it afforded us the opportunity
to network with the top management of many of the
European operators and plans are in place for a number
of follow-ups and pilot projects. The latter includes
a partnership with Stockholm-based mobile platform
con-figuration specialist, SmartTrust," he says.
