Sprint, a large mobile carrier in the US, announces that the cool new Samsung Instinct -- plus eleven other popular mobile devices -- will support Notes/Domino mail:
Easy access to Microsoft Exchange Server and IBM Lotus Notes accounts will be available through Sprint Mobile Email Work, as an extension of Sprint Mobile Email's existing access to personal email accounts from popular Web-based providers such as AOL, Gmail, Windows Live and Yahoo! Mail. Sprint Mobile Email Work will allow users of the Instinct and other non-PDA phones, such as flip phones with more consumer-oriented features, to access both their corporate and personal email in one easy-to-use application, included at no additional charge in several Sprint pricing plans. ...Looks like they have not yet updated their website with details on this, but it is good news on the road ahead. The Samsung Instinct is, by many industry observer's accounts, going to give the iPhone a run for its money. The fact that the Instinct will be supported on multiple carrier networks is certainly an important choice factor, addressing some of the points made earlier this week in ComputerWeekly.com's "IT managers doubt iPhone is ready for business".
Sprint worked with SEVEN to create Sprint Mobile Email Work, which allows customers to access Microsoft Exchange Server 2000, 2003 or 2007 accounts, or IBM Lotus Domino accounts. The service features an easy, one-time setup process: Sprint Mobile Email Work is preloaded on the Instinct, so customers simply select Email on the main Menu to get to Sprint Mobile Email, then click the Work tab and enter their server information, user name and password. Emails are then pushed to the user's phone as they arrive in their desktop mailbox. Users can read, delete, respond to and compose new emails. All changes made via the Sprint phone are automatically synchronized with the user's desktop mailbox.
Link: Sprint press release: "Sprint Mobile Email Work Gives Sprint Customers Access to Business Email" >
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Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 6/20/2008 3:18:29 AM
@Paul, I prefaced this by ack'ing that Sprint is a US-only carrier. Not in denial at all that there is a global need for smartphone support...but there's no guarantee that the iPhone is ready for all in all markets just by shipping the Exchange ActiveSync component. RIM has worked for many years to bring the Blackberry to all world markets, and it surely wasn't as simple as shipping a single new device.
This is a space that is constantly changing. This is why the strategy Lotus originally used in this space -- partner-led -- made sense, since ISVs/partners can iterate a lot faster than IBM can with Domino major releases. Lotus Notes Traveler is the start of the change, and there will be more Traveler or other support...directly from IBM or with IBM working closely with the vendors...in the future. Sprint adds another tick box, for now in one market.
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Lance Spellman | 6/20/2008 6:10:24 AM
Good news! I'm very glad to see a positive message in this space right now.
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Jess Stratton http://www.momelettes.com | 6/20/2008 7:46:55 AM
I've been a loyal Nextel-now-Sprint fangirl for years. They've actually had Lotus Domino support for a long time, I remember I used to have it on my OLD, old Nextel clunker. When I upgraded years ago they claimed it too, but the problem? When you call the phone number on the Sprint business website, none of the people at the call center who answer the phone know anything about it. :-)
I use Commontime's MNotes now, I have been for years and positively love it, but I loved the fact that Sprint/Nextel have always advertised support for Lotus Domino mail right alongside Exchange/Outlook.
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Chris Whisonant http://www.bleedyellow.com/blogs/lotusnut | 6/20/2008 8:42:19 AM
Great to see that Lotus is actually being discussed in these press releases. But as Jess mentioned, it's been there for years. Nothing new except the press (which is something Lotus isn't used to...) ;)
I've posted some thoughts on this at my blog too: { Link }
"By the way, in the US, Seven Networks works with Alltel, AT&T, and Sprint. So the big news on Ed's blog is that Sprint actually mentioned Domino. There's nothing really specific that it appears Sprint is doing in this regard other than licensing and marketing their mobile email product running Seven Networks' software."
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Christopher Byrne http://www.controlscaddy.com/ | 6/20/2008 12:26:42 PM
Please tell me this is not a POP3 solution?
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Volker Weber http://vowe.net | 6/20/2008 1:27:43 PM
Could be the Sprint version of this phone { Link } Have not seen it anywhere yet.
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Volker Weber http://vowe.net | 6/20/2008 1:31:24 PM
Christoper, you can read about Seven on their website: { Link } It's a software only competitor to the BlackBerry, similar to offerings from Good.
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Paul Rigby http://www.ingensys.net/blog | 6/22/2008 4:56:26 AM
@Ed,
I of course acknowledge that you pointed out that this is a US offering - I certainly know you have the air miles to prove your global knowledge!
The point I am making is this - Both this solution and the Blackberry solution require a service, a special additional tariff on each device for the solution and some sort of proprietary back end linked to the mail system, be this in house or hosted, typically requiring the interface through a NOC. I believe in the case of this Sprint offering its an additional $9.99 charge per month certainly for Exchange access.
RIM developed a solution for Domino and Exchange when no native mobile support was available - and effectively 'created' push mail and have enjoyed incredible global success. Its taken them a long time to get here with multiple carriers in geographies who, lets face it have signed up as a 'me too' to compete, I am sure giving money to RIM each month for each connection is not exactly high on there list of 'good deal'.
RIM have also been very clever in the introduction of BIS to hit consumers and crank numbers, brand and market penetration. At the end of the day what is that - polling email (OK yes Yahoo has push IMAP), a crappy browser experience on a small screen and no calendar or contact sync OTA.
However, since SP2 of Exchange 2003, Activesync OTA has been available for free as a native feature of the product which simply requires standard GPRS or 3G data comms for direct Exchange sync access, nothing else required and no additional point of failures (and please note I am not making any flakey Exchange jibes here ;-)
MS also license out the technology to other non windows mobile platform providers like Apple and solutions like Roadsync.
Certainly here in the UK, data tariffs to support this are either bundled with your cell contract or available as a 'as much as you can eat' for $10 add on, nothing else required - the iphone embeds this technology which it has licensed under the covers. Its tried, tested and it works, its FREE - like it or not.
So No additional monthly service charges, special hardware, software, server costs etc AND it looks simple to numbers / business people - and of course its 'free' in the Exchange product as far as they can see. In this climate businesses want to make savings, consolidate and remove 'complexity' - the native Activesync model works here and now.
Apple also introduce Mobile Me which carries a comparable charge to a BIS tariff for most consumer users, but this delivers a full OTA sync service for mail, contacts and calendars as well as Web 2 app interface and a 20gb disk in the cloud. It allows a user to sync business and personal calendars from the iphone to both systems seamlessly (try that on a Blackberry!)
As I have said, the iPhone device, the brand, the hype and the Business and Consumer offerings - reaching a global audience should not be underestimated. For example, just look at Colleges and universities in the US, the most popular laptop on campus - Apple Mac with OS X, these kids are tomorrows CIO and CTO's and business people and Apple have them.
I do also acknowledge that this is a rapidly changing market and I also acknowledge Commontime for example in the Domino space as a partner, which is a superb solution.
Times have changed and mobile is THE vital element for messaging in business today. IBM Lotus have proved they can actually react quickly to change, lets just look at the speed of delivery for the Eclipse J2EE strategy and Notes 8!
Yes, of course Traveler is a first step for some kind of native support, but surely with the power and the might of IBM a native 'activesync like framework' could be developed or even bought in and integrate tightly to the core server product - to license out and get a very important tick in the box for Domino.
Ed,
I am hoping that the European Vacation is going well so far and that the weather in Ascot is going to be kind to you! Whilst I have followed with much interest, all the various blogs, comments, tweets and other snippets with regard to iphone and Lotus Domino, I have not commented, however, I have appreciated the frustration that you as THE Notes domino champion must have been / be experiencing with regard to the situation.
I do wonder if this latest entry is not going to somewhat provide some 'interesting' commentary from your readers - especially those non US based, who as we know, can all be somewhat 'vocal' :-)
Sprint is a US cellular provider who provide a network in . . The US, therefore, the Samsung Instinct is a US only phone - I believe, the CDMA version of the GSM SGH-F490, so OK this GSM version would work on multiple carriers who sign up to the device. However, the offering from SEVEN here is available, on Sprint.
Although I of course realise this is your home country, primary market and indeed is an alternative to RIM and Blackberry for US companies to consider - what about the other 70 countries the iPhone 3G will be available in - who leverage the global standard of GSM for mobile communications?
Apple has gone from zero to 6 million handsets in less than 12 months - in essentially only 4 countries (however these were staggered so not even a full 12 months in non us territories). They have now returned a year later with a 'standard' handset provider deal for the networks and will have an official global reach with a product at a comparable price point but which offers many key factors other handsets do not, yes, its not perfect, and no I am not getting into the fact it doesn't support MMS or cut and paste . . Yet. However, lets face it they are going to move a truck load of these things.
Apple want a quick business user win and therefore, licensing Microsoft Activesync gives them 'Blackberry function' - but also integration with Snow Leopard provides them with a true Outlook alternative on a far superior desktop OS, a 'halo' effect from the iphone to get business to look at a mac - good business on the part of Apple, - and to be honest, what other native technologies could they actually license from AN Other messaging platform to integrate?
Put this Exchange enabled technology in the mix with high speed 3g and wifi, a real desktop quality browser experience to VPN access intranet portals and web 2.0 apps and you have something special in your hand not requiring a third party proprietary server or provider service / special data tariff.
The main point though with the iphone as a game changing device, is the influence of business executives in this whole scenario. I have witnessed this first hand on many occasions where what should be a technical business decision becomes emotive. I believe the No1 example of this is the Blackberry. How many people can relate to the VP of Sales who attended a meeting and after the ritual exchange of business cards has sat at the meeting table looking at the array of technology on the table and is the guy who hasn't got a Blackberry - returning to the office and business and wanting one - and creating a tide of change with the executive to get this - regardless of the technology, the carrier who has the device (Blackberry was limited at first remember) - or the cost, they want the device. This effect should not be underestimated and I believe if you combine this with the Apple image, the marketing, the cool factor of the brand and the hype, business people will want this device. Let also remember that the networks Apple are working with are hardly lame ducks - this will have a huge influence and I believe for the wrong reasons an impact on people moving to Exchange. The iphone is a global device, leveraging global standards and technologies, that ticks a lot of boxes on a global scale.