Air2Web offers new instant messaging product

ATLANTA -- While the travel industry has been somewhat slow in embracing wireless technology during the current global economic slump, some experts are saying that instant messaging (IM) could be the application that gets the ball rolling. Air2Web, a leading wireless platform provider, has launched a new product called 2IM, which the company says is the market's first mobile instant messaging (IM) solution to integrate popular public and corporate IM services.

2IM is described as a secure, one-to-one instant messaging system that provides employees with interoperable wireless access to all public IM services, such as AIM, MSN, and Yahoo, as well as enterprise IM Services, according to Air2Web.

The system is available on Palm devices, RIM wireless handhelds, and Cingular Wireless' myBiz pagers and will soon be available on other wireless handsets including J2ME devices. 2IM is a secure, enterprise-oriented, one-to-one Instant Messaging solution that provides employees with simultaneous wireless access to popular public and corporate IM services.

For enterprises already using secure IM applications, Air2Web says it can protect enterprise information systems and data by using two-factor authentication through certificates and message encryption. Two-factor authentication verifies user and device identity while message encryption preserves message integrity during transmission between users.

Multi-platform

"With the surging popularity of desktop IM systems, Air2Web's multi-platform wireless IM solution lets organizations leverage the power of instant messaging while severing the PC cord," said Dale Gonzalez, Air2Web's Chief Technology Officer. "2IM not only offers users significant security components but extends the functionality of popular public and corporate instant messaging services. These added capabilities are invaluable in today's corporate world where secure, effective wireless communication is critical to the success of any business."

Air2Web also announced this week that Cingular Wireless has licensed its 2Notify solution to manage its text messaging applications now available to its 22 million subscribers for TV polling, surveys, contests, entertainment, and opt-in promotional offers.

With the men’s basketball, stock car racing, and All American Girl Polling Services, the 2Notify platform enables Cingular subscribers to participate in the action of the events. With the basketball and stock car racing events, Cingular customers can respond, via SMS (short message service) to sports questions that are being simultaneously flashed across the television and sent to their phone during select games and races.

SMS mobile devices

Air2Web cites statistics that indicate the penetration of SMS mobile devices has been very strong with more than 100 million U.S. consumers owning SMS capable phones. Yankee Group predicts by 2004 over 50% of the U.S. population will own a cell phone capable of two-way text communications. According to the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA), those subscribers send about a billion SMS messages each month.

For Cingular, Air2Web’s 2Notify solution is a new medium for engaging wireless subscribers to promote brand awareness, customer loyalty, and product sales. Using Air2Web’s 2Notify solution, companies now have the ability to seamlessly launch multiple, interactive sports and entertainment programs in which fans can engage in real-time with events.

Air2Web says companies benefit from direct connectivity with the major US carriers that gives their mobile customer applications enhanced performance, as well as from Air2Web's support of new technologies and standards such as MMS, J2ME and BREW. Wireless applications powered by Air2Web include UPS, Six Continents Hotels Inc., eBay, Cingular Wireless, The Weather Channel, ADC, and over 35 financial institutions including Delta Employees Credit Union, ABN AMRO, and ICICI Bank.