Siemens and Followap join forces to provide mobile instant messaging
Announced at 3GSM in Cannes: Siemens Information and Communication Mobile will integrate iFollow into its existing and future mobile application services.
Cannes, France.
- February 20, 2001 - At the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, France (February 21-23, 2001), Europe's largest event for mobile communications, Siemens Information and Communication Mobile (IC Mobile) and Followap™ announced a partnership for the integration of Followap's product "iFollow" into Siemens IC Mobile's existing and future mobile applications. iFollow offers an instant messaging platform branded for mobile network operators, is fully interoperable with major internet-based instant messaging platforms and performs via WAP, WEB, and SMS protocols.
Siemens IC Mobile has identified attractive market opportunities in Mobile Instant Messaging ("MIM") as an evolution of SMS (Short Message Service) in the upcoming mobile services and applications market. With MIM solutions enabled by products such as iFollow, mobile phone users have the opportunity to contact each other according to a personal "buddy list" and chat depending on the availability and presence of the counterpart(s). MIM solutions will complement Siemens IC Mobile's comprehensive portfolio of mobile applications and services.
iFollow is one of the world's leading platforms for Mobile Instant Messaging for the telecommunications industry. Using SMS, WAP, Web, i-mode and STK (SIM Tool Kit), iFollow enables a wide range of instant messaging and messaging services, which generate revenue, provide competitive differentiation, and increase customer acquisition and retention. The services include: Mobile Instant Messaging, internet-based instant messaging, and full interoperability to popular Internet communities of the carriers' choice.
"As with SMS today, Mobile Instant Messaging will become a major revenue source for mobile operators looking for attractive value added services" said Dov Storch, Vice President Sales at Followap.
"The Partnership will combine strengths of Followap and Siemens IC Mobile in an ideal way. We see Followap as a perfect match for Siemens IC Mobile, offering one of the most comprehensive Instant Messaging Solutions on the market," said Thorsten Heins, President of Solutions within the Information and Communication Mobile Group. "With a partner like Followap, we can extend our own portfolio of mobile solutions such as location dependent services and personalized applications for mobile business."
About Siemens Information and Communication
Mobile Group The Siemens Information and Communication Mobile Group (IC Mobile) offers the complete range of mobile solutions including mobile devices, infrastructure and applications. Devices include mobile phones, wireless modules, mobile organizers, cordless and corded phones as well as products for wireless home networks. The infrastructure portfolio includes the complete range of mobile network technologies from base stations and switching systems to intelligent networks, e.g. for prepaid services. Applications cover UMTS services for Unified Messaging, Location Based Services, and Mobile Payment.
For the fiscal year 2000 (which ended September 30, 2000), IC Mobile recorded sales of EUR 9 billion and EBIT of EUR 758 million. The group employs 27,450 employees worldwide. For further information about Siemens IC Mobile, please visit our homepage: http://www.ic.siemens.com/mobile
About Followap
Followap is the leading provider of Mobile Instant Messaging Presence and Location (IMPL) platforms for mobile operators. Its flagship product, iFollow, has become the world's first commercially installed IMPL platform in December 2000, when it was launched within Ireland's Eircell Network as its branded e-merge Messenger service. Additional installations and pilot trials of iFollow are currently underway in 15 countries, with additional commercial launches at the world's largest mobile operators expected in the coming months.
With significant telecom and datacom experience, Followap is constantly extending its core technology in new directions and continues introducing additional scalable and reliable telecom-grade products that provide state-of-the-art messaging services to subscribers while incorporating essential carrier interfaces, such as network management, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), billing and more.
Headquartered in the USA, the company has an R&D center in Israel, as well as sales and support offices throughout the world. Followap offers full customization and integration services to address the specific requirements of its customers and provides extensive technical support and consulting services.