Users put off by Wap 'lock-in' fears

Wap adoption in the enterprise is being held back by hype and because suppliers are not offering a complete or flexible solution.

Wap adoption in the enterprise is being held back by hype and because suppliers are not offering a complete or flexible solution.

According to Nad Nadesan, marketing director at Peramon, many existing Wap services are limited because some of the existing portals tie the user into their service and impose subsequent contracts.

"You can't go into corporates and ask them to rip out existing systems to use Wap. You must provide a complete solution," said Nadesan.

"It's like going into B&Q to buy some fancy taps for your bath, but you are told you have to go somewhere else for the pipes."

Peramon claims its software offering for Wap, which has recently been adopted by web email service provider Critical Path, does not tie in users and can be customised to fit in with existing corporate mail systems.

In addition, Peramon believes the channel has a vital role to play in offering value-added services around Wap.

Colin Scott, ebusiness development manager at Peramon reseller Peregrine Data Services, claimed Wap is a great opportunity for the channel to sell corporate services, but he warned the supplier had to be able to communicate with clients about what is deliverable and must be able to fulfill any promise of supplying a full service.

PDS, for example, was helping a utility client with 600 remote workers to change its costly radio-based system with a much cheaper Wap offering, he said.

First published in Computer Reseller News