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If there was any doubt about how seriously Nokia takes enterprise mobility the introduction of the Nokia Eseries should have dispelled it. Richard Bloor caught up with Bob Brace, VP Mobile Solutions at Nokia, just prior to the announcement of the planned Intellisync purchase.

Nokia's current mantra is "life goes mobile". For Bob Brace, VP Mobile Solutions at Nokia this means "work goes mobile". "It is our intention to be the leading supplier of mobile technology to enterprises," says Bob. "We want Nokia devices to be the mobile device of choice within the enterprise. For the executive, the manager, and every other mobile worker; we want our mobile devices to be the ones people use for business applications."

To achieve this, Nokia's strategy is about more than just the device the enterprise user holds in their hand. Nokia directly, and through a number of key partners, provides both the middleware and back end tools needed to integrate all the components of a mobile solution. "This is exactly why Nokia created the enterprise solutions division," says Bob. "To provide the capabilities to handle all the requirement of enterprise mobility, not just supply the mobile devices."

This portfolio is an impressive role call of key enterprise solutions providers: Cisco can provide VPN gateway solutions, alongside Nokia's own; Symantec, F-Secure or Kaspersky can provide anti-virus applications; Safeboot and Pointsec can provide encryption; email solutions are available from Blackberry, Visto or Goodlink amongst others and Microsoft Exchange can be supported too, in addition to Nokia Business Center; there are partnerships with Oracle and IBM while Cisco, Avaya and OnRelay can provide integration with non-cellular voice solutions.

While Nokia has always had a portfolio of devices designed for the enterprise, the Nokia Eseries represents something of a departure. Rather than simply being a Nokia device that can be used in the enterprise, these new devices are unashamedly enterprise orientated. "With the Nokia Eseries we have created a device framework for all of the requirements an enterprise will have for mobile devices," says Bob. The Nokia E61 is geared towards email or data applications, while the Nokia E60 represents the other extreme, primarily voice with the ability to read email, view attachments and reply using predictive text. The middle ground is occupied by the Nokia E70, a traditional phone device but with improved text entry capabilities from the fold out full keyboard.

Cameras have often been identified as a potential issue for enterprises adopting smartphones. Bob notes that for some users, such as those in insurance, public housing, or field maintenance, it is becoming an essential tool. "With the Nokia Eseries we address a range of different requirements," says Bob. "For the typical user of the Nokia E60 or E61 we simply have not identified a need for a camera, rather than there being any true enterprise resistance to camera phones."

All the current Nokia Eseries devices are based on S60 3rd Edition and for good reason. The additional security and device management features are key elements that Bob feels address enterprise requirements in smartphone technology. However, S60 3rd Edition does place some extra requirements on enterprise applications. To achieve a warning free installation an application needs to be Symbian Signed. Could this actually create an obstacle to bespoke enterprise applications?

"I think it is unlikely," says Bob. "Most organizations either use a third party to create their applications or they have large development organizations of their own. These organizations will be large enough to go though the certification process and not worry about it."

Verification does not stop an enterprise implementing fully functional C++ applications. It just makes the installation process a little more complicated, with users potentially having to provide authorization for an application on installation to access features like the calendar or network access.

One way to avoid the Symbian Signed issue it to use Java - although that just changes the nature of the verification required to Java Verified. So how are enterprises going to deploy these applications; which is most important Java or native Symbian C++? "Native C++ is important, there again Java can provide many of the same features," says Bob. "If you look at what we have done with the Nokia Business Center, the device client is implemented in Java MIDP2. So it works on any of our MIDP2 devices, but it can also work on Windows Mobile and Sony Ericsson's Symbian OS devices." Bob notes that the choice is a trade off between the wider deployment Java offers and the power and performance of a native C++ application.

This raises another issue often sighted with enterprise deployment, the ability of the user to install an application themselves. "New device management tools mean that enterprises can now control the applications on its devices," explains Bob. "Management tools provide the enterprise with the ability manage applications on the device much like the tools available to the PC world. Several third party solutions can lockdown and install applications remotely. This capability exists for current devices, not just S60 3rd Edition. However, S60 3rd Edition does give the organization a lot more control."

So with this change in device focus is Nokia also shifting its channels? "The channel for these new devices will be Nokia to channel to customer," explains Bob. "I expect a good portion of this to be through operators' B to B organizations. However, we also expect activity through systems integrators and IT reseller, although these will most likely be linked to an operator to provide the airtime contracts. I also think we will see new channels developing, such as MVNOs who focus on the enterprise environment."

While supporting enterprise data applications is part of Nokia's strategy, as is quite clear from its roster of partners, it is equally true that the key applications in the short term are not pure data, rather they are voice and email.

Microsoft is often projected as the big player in this arena, at least regarding fixed mail services, with its Exchange product. With the release of Active Sync for Exchange Server Microsoft appear to be moving into the mobile space too. So how much of a threat does Bob see Microsoft as? Bob points out that Microsoft have around a 35% market share in the corporate email market. IDC estimates that the total market is approximately 650 million corporate inboxes, which leave a lot of room for other solutions. "According to Gartner currently about 1% of inboxes are mobilized, by 2008 that might increases to 30%," says Bob. "With our devices and Nokia Business Center we think we can increase that to much more than 30% penetration during the same timeframe." Bob, while not dismissing Windows Mobile devices does not see them as a significant threat. "The primary enterprise requirement is still voice," says Bob. "Our range of devices, whether that be Series 40 or S60 devices offer the enterprise the ability to deploy the right device to each employee. We recognize that different devices will be used in enterprises, in different ways; one size does not fit all."

Bob also points out the Nokia's device portfolio extends beyond phones. He mentions the Nokia digital pen. This device is connected via Bluetooth to phone and can then communicated back to an enterprise system using GPRS or 3G. "With this technology a user can capture handwriting on something like a rental car return form that is passed back to a server which converts the handwriting into text and can store the form in a business system," says Bob. This is a typical advanced application of mobile technology where a smartphone is not an essential part of the system.

Advances in voice technology are also opening up new opportunities for enterprises and driving continued demand for this "basic" mobile service. "Enterprise voice is morphing," says Bob. "We are seeing greater integration within enterprise of fixed and mobile voice," says Bob. "Technologies like WLAN are also making it possible to offer business cost effective ways to untether the phone from an employee's desk." Voice is also merging with text communications. Nokia Business Center already offers a degree of voice integration with email and other messaging. "With Nokia Business Center enterprises don't need a third party network operation centre," says Bob. "Combined with the relatively low cost server and client software it really does start to change the dynamics of enterprise communications."

While voice and email is currently the big ticket item it does not mean things are not progressing in data applications. Bob give the example of Electrolux. It has deployed the Nokia 9300 smartphones and Nokia 9500 Communicators so that its engineers can pick up and report on service call outs in the field. "Anywhere you have a large field force, whether that is sales, service or customer engineers, connecting those peoples diverse geographical environment back to head office systems in real time is becoming increasingly important," says Bob. "Enterprise users have these devices for messaging and voice, it is a natural progression to connect to other backend applications. Organizations that are connected on-line have a competitive advantage and are able to deploy new solutions much more effectively. Mobility this is not something that might happen, it is inevitable."

2006 will be an interesting year. As Nokia Eseries devices start to roll out, and more are undoubtedly announced, it could be the watershed in Nokia's ambitions to integrate enterprise mobility around Nokia devices and solutions. While many believe Microsoft have the enterprise sector sown up, it is clear that, particularly in Europe, there is something of an antithesis toward it as a supplier. With 3G becoming more of a reality and Symbian OS gaining additional security and manageability credential next year could see the start of a true shift in the technology enterprises use to do business.

For more information on Nokia solutions for the enterprise visit www.nokia.com/business.