Parlano Goes Mobile

Parlano took the virtual office a step further Wednesday. The instant messaging vendor has licensed Nokia’s Intellisync wireless messaging software, and together the vendors have built MindAlign Mobile, a mobile version of Parlano’s MindAlign designed for use with RIM, Microsoft mobile, and Palm devices.

The IM space expanded Wednesday when Parlano revealed it had licensed Nokia’s Intellisync wireless messaging software to create MindAlign Mobile, an IM client that enables RIM, Microsoft mobile, and Palm devices to chat like desktop clients.

The add-on works with the current version of MindAlign, Parlano Chairman and CEO Nick Fera told ServerWatch. It requires software be installed on the server and on the user’s mobile device, but Parlano considers it simply another way to log on to the MindAlign, which functionally speaking, it is.

Parlano is laying claim to delivering the first mobile persistent group messaging client for enterprise IM. Unlike text-messaging capabilities, which are available on many mobile devices, MindAlign Mobile enables users to participate, “as if they were at their desks,” Fera said.

Thus, a user can be “on the train or grabbing a bite to eat” and still participate in individual and group collaboration channels, receive important alerts, and filter key words and phrases (either the same or differently from how she would on the desktop). The latter reduces both corporate bandwidth and maximizes screen real estate on the mobile client.

In addition, like its desktop sibling, MindAlign Mobile Client uses locally stored, encrypted credentials that secure credentials and allow auto-login. It encrypts data sent over the mobile network and provides full support for federated messaging to external communities.

In terms of usability, MindAlign Mobile can support separate contact and channel lists for mobile use. Presence management capabilities route messages to the appropriate device, even if the user is signed on to both a mobile and desktop client, and it uses native mobile device approaches for message notifications and alerts.

MindAlign Mobile is expected to be available in the late second quarter or early third quarter time frame, Fera said.

Nokia is primarily a consultant and development partner in the venture, Fera said. Parlano owns the solution and will oversee its distribution and provide support, he added.