AppSwing ready to launch into market
Mobile data vendor will target resellers focusing on Citrix
AppSwing, a developer of systems allowing mobile devices to use PC applications, is looking for resellers after signing distributor Centia.
The vendor claims AppServer grabs an application's message queue and converts it to user interfaces for mobile phones, network-enabled PDAs and laptops. It is mainly targeting resellers specialising in Citrix products.
"The big difference between Metaframe and other Citrix products is that they will take the entire interface to the device," said Arthur Morris, managing director of AppSwing. No client is needed by the host device, and no data is retained on the device.
"We are predominantly in the Citrix space at the moment," Morris said.
AppSwing is targeting vertical markets such as healthcare and the public sector. It has recently started mobile application discussions with Microsoft, and is already dealing with Computer Associates and Progress.
The current management team bought the technology from an Israeli start-up four years ago.
Neil Thompson, AppSwing's technical director, said: "We are in go-to-market mode now. The first three years were spent doing research and development, with the help of some of the original staff who consulted with us. Last year was spent on proof of concept."
Rob Bamforth, an analyst at Bloor Research, described the Appserver technology as "message scraping".
He added: "There is a big potential for mobile datacoms in the channel. At present, there is a good low-end channel in the high street for mobile voice devices, but these companies are not necessarily able to offer data."
Bamforth said there is a gap between high-street mobile phone resellers and system integrators undertaking large mobility projects for corporate customers.
"I would look for something for data telecommunications in the old Applecentre model," he said. "The opportunity is there either for mass market channels such as The Link, or specialist IT resellers."