Compiled by Kevin Smith
AOL Launches New Paging Device
America Online Inc., the Internet media giant, launched today a new two-way paging device that allows access to AOL e-mail and instant messaging services. AOL Mobile Communicator is the end result of over 10 months of work after AOL struck a deal with Research in Motion Ltd. in February. The device is produced by RIM, which makes the popular BlackBerry pages, but will be branded by AOL. Members of the online service can purchase the pager for $329.95. AOL has taken the Research in Motion two-way pager and developed client software that operates on the device, which is a two-way data radio that operates on BellSouth Corp.'s wireless data network nationwide.
Digital Signatures and Encryption Coming to XML E-commerce
Thanks to a multi-company agreement, digital signatures and encryption may soon be included in XML-based e-commerce. VeriSign, a leading supplier of digital signatures, Microsoft and webMethods, a business-to-business software developer, are all teaming up to jointly prototype a way to add the extra security. The trio has jointly developed XKMS or XML Key Management Specification. Existing security systems rely on public key infrastructure (PKI) from proprietary vendors. These systems issue certificates accompanied by encrypted public and private keys that allow the certificate to be used as digital signature when it reaches its destination.
NetLedger Expands Services for Online Companies
NetLedger, the online small business accounting service, has expanded its options for its customers and now allows for more integration. The move comes with the expansion of its core accounting package and merging it with services offered for online businesses. The new package ties the accounting system into the front-end operations of the business. When a sale is made a record immediately shows up in the accounts receivable file and the goods deducted from the inventory system. The linkage makes NetLedger the central nervous system of a start-up online business, and the company plans to add customer relationship management and sales force automation to its core accounting package next year.
Microsoft Releases Free Version of Commerce Server
A 120-day free downloadable version of Microsoft Corp.'s new Commerce Server 2000 software was announced today by the computer giant. The software will be available next month through retailers, but the company wanted to get the trial version released before the software was given to retailers. The trial version can be downloaded at www.microsoft.com/commerceserver. The software is the fourth generation of the Redmond, Wash. company's commerce server technology and the latest version of its current Site Server 3.0 Commerce Edition. The server software provides the foundation on which businesses can build tailored solutions for online retail, supply-side business-to-business, e-marketplace applications and e-business analytical scenarios.
Wide Array of Speakers Slated for December Conference
More than 150 e-business and mobile commerce pioneers, veteran practitioners and educators from a diverse roster of winning E-businesses and acclaimed universities are scheduled to speak at the eBusiness Conference and Expo, taking place Dec. 12-14, 2000, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. Expert speakers will share their industry knowledge and unparalleled insight targeted at today's key E-business challenges, while examining innovative technologies and solutions crucial to E-business survival and competitive advantage. Featured speakers for the conference will come from AskJeeves, Doubleclick, Flatiron Partners, Mastercard, MIT, NYU, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Victoria's Secret Catalogue.
Canadian Firm to Launch Wireless Network Next Year
Rogers Wireless Communications Inc., Canada's largest mobile phone operator, has promised to complete its high-speed data network next year as a prelude to a massive expansion of wireless services linked to the Internet. The big Toronto-based Company said today it will launch round-the-clock wireless data services, combined with its existing voice service, with a variety of mobile telecom products next July across Canada. About 83 percent of the country's population will be connected by the end of 2001 and 93 percent by 2002. In addition, Rogers is working on higher speed services as it builds its advanced network planned for late 2003 that will provide high-speed linkups between the Internet and mobile telecom systems.