I first proposed about a year ago (here, of all places) the concept of what I call a virtual cell phone. The idea is simple: allow a single handset to have multiple numbers, ideally associated with specific capabilities and storage on a given handset with some form of firewall between them so that (a) security and integrity can be maintained, and (b) the enterprise can manage the "enterprise" side, including zapping it if necessary, while the end-user controls the "personal side". We're not quite there yet, but Agito Network's recent announcement of their "dual persona" feature is a step in the right direction.
Farpoint Group puts Agito overall in the category of enterprise-centric convergence products, equipment that an enterprise can buy to implement mobile-to-mobile convergence without requiring the assistance or approval of a carrier. I like this approach because it allows the enterprise to manage costs, use the most appropriate network at any given moment in time, and in general move their telecom infrastructure into the modern era. While not providing the hard isolation I mentioned above, dual persona allows a single handset to have two numbers associated with it for both inbound and outbound calling. Separate accounting entries can thus be maintained, and users can keep their familiar cellular number for personal calling while using their enterprise number for business. Pretty cool.
Agito announced a number of other enhancements and additions to their products, and is really turning on the marketing effort - which, by the way, is led by Cisco and industry veteran Pej Roshan, whom I just met with at Interop. Pej makes a convincing argument for the new functionality, but, as you might guess, I didn't need much convincing.
I think the carriers would do well to begin at least thinking about having this kind of functionality in their service offerings. This is a good opportunity for them to demonstrate their value-add extends beyond such consumer silliness as ring tones and wallpaper - and it would regardless be of great value to many business users out there.
Mathias is a principal at Farpoint Group, a wireless advisory firm in Ashland, Mass.
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