Onset Technology aims to go beyond RIM

By Keith Shaw
Network World Mobile Computing Newsletter, 06/05/02

Continuing our look at alternative wireless e-mail companies:

* Onset Technology

At first glance, it appears that Onset Technology (www.onsettechnology.com) offers a single product that lets Research In Motion BlackBerry users receive their attachments in text form (in addition to being able to forward the attachments to a fax machine).

Upon closer examination, the server that Onset sells to companies allows this, and more. In fact, the server component starts as a building block for companies that want to extend their data (not just e-mail) to mobile workers via wireless devices.

Onset makes four products under its METAmessage for Wireless branding - AttachmentPlus, GetFile, RemoteLock and GetFax. All of these applications are included on the METAmessage server that Onset sells for $3,000 (with a license for 20 users).

The server sits behind the company's firewall and can connect to a Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes platform to provide functionality for the attachments and other features. Most of the applications in the suite work with RIM handhelds, but the company says it is developing software that will work with Palm-based handhelds and other devices in the future. However, any end user with a handheld device that can forward e-mails can still gain the benefits from the server, but it's more of a manual process than the automatic features with the RIM client-side software.

Onset sells the server software to companies, but also has a service that will forward the e-mails for a fee to individual end users who don't want to install the server. The company says a large majority of companies opt for the server version.

AttachmentPlus lets handheld users read and print e-mail attachments and Web page links. In addition, it can access global address lists, and can view spreadsheets or PowerPoint slides close to its original view.

Here's how it works: An end user receives an e-mail with an attachment, and forwards it back to the METAmessage server. The server converts the attachment to text, and then sends it back to the mobile device as a text e-mail. For the different file formats like Excel and PowerPoint, the client software (currently available only on RIM devices) can convert the file so it looks more like a spreadsheet or presentation instead of just text-only.

For situations where an end user wants a hard copy, the software can forward the attachment to a fax machine for printout. Future versions are expected to allow users to send to networked printers, the company said.

GetFile is an application that lets handheld users access personal files, either stored on a network drive or on a desktop or notebook PC that is connected to a network (in other words, you can access the files if the computer is powered on).

RemoteLock is an application that improves on the security functionality of the RIM device, by letting users "lock" the device if it is lost or stolen. It works like this: end users select a password or phrase to be the "lock" phrase. If the device is lost or stolen, the end user notifies another person and asks them to send an e-mail that includes the "lock" phrase or word in the body of the message. When the e-mail is sent, the device is locked down and a thief cannot access any of the data. A similar "unlock" phrase can be used in case the device is discovered.

Finally, the GetFax application can convert faxes into editable text that can be sent via e-mail messages to handheld devices.

What's interesting about Onset's approach is that all of the data access is still being handled through the e-mail transport layer, so no additional security is needed (since e-mail, especially through RIM devices, is encrypted). Onset says it will use the e-mail transport layer to extend its server capabilities to do tasks like database access, as well as application access like customer relationship management applications. In addition, the company says it is working on software that can convert voice mails into e-mail messages that can be played on an audio device or transferred to a phone number.

By taking these different processes and converting them to e-mail transport, Onset has a different approach on the question of getting data into the hands of mobile users. If the company can provide these robust features and functionality beyond the world of RIM devices (some currently are, some are planned), then Onset is worth a second look.