Nokia backs out of business mobile sync

Nokia will no longer offer Intellisync Mobile Suite or its constituent components as independent products. The suite comprises three main parts: Wireless Email, Device Management and Application Sync. In future, Intellisync will only be used as a platform for consumer email services on Nokia's web-based media-sharing service Ovi. Nokia guarantees continuing support for the next two years for existing Intellisync users, as well as solutions to assist migration to other mobile infrastructures.

Intellisync Corporation was formerly known as Pumatech before it acquired Synchrologic in 2003. Synchrologic's iMobile Suite synchronised data within the corporate firewall – emails, PIM data, business documents and device software – onto mobile devices including phones and PDAs. Nokia acquired Intellisync at the start of 2006 to compete with offerings from rivals like RIM.

Rather than maintaining its own device synchronisation applications, Nokia intends to ensure that its devices work with the leading third-party device sync systems. The company recently announced that it would in future use Microsoft ActiveSync on all S60 devices, and today's press release renews this commitment. Nokia also says it will be working with partners including IBM and Cisco to support synchronisation between their systems and its Symbian smartphones. IBM has already hinted that Lotus Traveler will be included in Domino 8.5, which will then support S60 phones.

In parallel with its withdrawal of Intellisync from the business solutions sector, Nokia says it is in the advanced stages of discussions for the potential sale of its security appliances business to a financial investor.

(lghp)