OpenHand

OpenHand is an Icelandic company with operations in Scandinavia, UK, Germany, and South Africa.

The backbone of OpenHand’s product is the “Louis Protocol”, a unique data transmission method invented by a team at the University of Iceland over 15 years ago. Many of that team are still key players at OpenHand and continue to develop unique solutions for today’s mobile business people.

The Louis Protocol is so efficient in its data delivery method, it allows OpenHand to rewrite the rule book and provide a product which challenges and betters the mobility sectors staid preconceptions with regards to the validity of synchronisation and Push email.

We service our clients through a substantial network of partners – this helps us to guarantee quality of service. Our partner in Nigeria is Blue Interface Limited, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.

 Our Future vision

OpenHand strives to become a leading solution for doing business on the go. Through our flexible, economic and secure service, we offer you maximum utilization of time with real time access to information.

OpenHand builds long term relationships with customers through a shared vision of mutual benefits and a win-win service portfolio.

The objective of OpenHand is simple, to provide total access to information on the go.

 Flexible

OpenHand operates on all major platforms

• MS Exchange

• Lotus Domino

• Unix

• IMAP

• Others added soon

Wide variety of devices
With OpenHand you can choose from a variety of over 250 supported mobile devices. Dozens of new devices are added each year. When using OpenHand, you are in control. Choose your device, don´t let the device choose you.

No carrier lock-in
OpenHand is network independent. Switching from one carrier to another will not affect your OpenHand usage. Just make sure you have a data subscription on your new SIM card and you´re good to go.

Multiple choice of connections
Choose which connection to use with OpenHand. Today mobile devices offer a variety of connection possibilities from a simple dial-up connection to WiFi. Choose your preferred way to receive information depending on your current location.

Information to your laptop
In addition to a wide variety of mobile devices, users can access information through an OpenHand client in their laptop. This can be handy when you are located away from high speed internet.

The benefits of using the Windows OpenHand client are multiple. Less data is sent over the air. Instead of starting your VPN access and then opening your standard email client which consumes a lot of time and data over GPRS, OpenHand provides swift and secure access to your data. Send email, reply and browse your inbox in a more efficient way over GPRS.

The OpenHand client for Windows is included in the monthly fee per user.

Additional functions
With online access to information, OpenHand offers the possibility of additional functions. Through the OpenHand server you can access information from other systems. Inventory status, key financial numbers and sales figures are examples of information that could be at your fingertips with the help of OpenHand.

 Economic

Despite real-time processing, OpenHand is one of the low cost solutions on the market. The average user only needs 3MB per month of data. This includes email browsing, accepting meeting invitations, calendar browsing and contact look-up.

Start up cost of implementing the solution is minimal.

All future releases are included in the monthly fee. Users simply download a new client through our website, install the client and log in.

Simple, low cost and safe.

 Secure

No data is stored on the device unless requested or authorized by the IT department.

All data travels directly between the client and server, not through third party networks.

OpenHand applies the highest recognised level of encryption, 128bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to safeguard all data transferred to field users from the OpenHand server. The communication is proprietary, which means that - unlike other remote server software, such as Microsoft® IIS - only OpenHand users can communicate with the OpenHand server.

OpenHand has a high ranking security policy among bank institutions, insurance companies etc. Our focus on security issues makes OpenHand one of the safest mobile solutions on the market without compromising ease of use.

 Solutions

OpenHand – Enterprise solution

Enterprise, The ultimate in mobile email, specially developed for companies using Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes email servers. Supports UNIX as well. OpenHand delivers market leading flexibility with a strong focus on data security, low operational cost and minimal data usage.

OpenHand – SoHosted

SoHosted, a unique product designed for companies unable to financially justify the disproportionate high cost of purchasing and maintaining their own email server. SoHosted not only gives you the full functionality of OpenHand Enterprise, it also gives you Hosted Microsoft Exchange and Outlook Web Access. SoHosted gives you access to all of your documents, files calendars, contacts etc not only from your mobile device but also from any internet enabled PC anywhere in the world.

 How it works

OpenHand is a client/server remote access software solution based on Microsoft's .NET Framework. The client connects to the OpenHand server over a TCP/IP connection. The OpenHand server then connects to the Microsoft® Exchange server or Lotus Domino® server to retrieve users' personal information (email, calendar, contacts and tasks) which is then made available to the client device.

The server application behaves as if it were just an ordinary Outlook or Notes client application so no configuration modifications need to be made to mission critical PIM servers. Software need not be installed on these servers either, ensuring that the installation of OpenHand has no impact on the availability of email for users.

 Key Features

Email, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks and Public Folders
Fast, secure access to real-time email (and attachments), calendar, tasks and contacts via laptop or hand-held devices including Palm, Pocket PC and Symbian.

• View, create, send and receive email and attachments plus new email alerts

• View, create, update appointments in real-time so no risk of double-booking, invite attendees and accept/decline meeting invitations

• View, create and update contacts plus dial from contacts

• View, create and update tasks.

• Full search and sorting on email and contacts and sorting of tasks

• Access to shared documents in public folders

Very Low Operating Costs
OpenHand combines advanced data compression and latency reduction technology to deliver data very quickly. Built to run over the slowest readily available mobile networks (such as GSM), OpenHand consistently outperforms others in terms of speed to access the information important to you, in the format you want it. OpenHand's superior speed and data efficiency makes it cheaper, as mobile data charges will be lower.

Data Security whether working in real-time or working off-line
OpenHand gives you the option of working in real-time, or downloading the information to your device and working offline. If you choose to work in real-time, the information is not stored on the mobile device - it is held only on your organisation's server. This means there is no risk to your information if your device is lost or stolen. Alternatively, OpenHand allows you to store emails, calendar items, contacts and tasks locally on the device (this feature must first be enabled by your server administrator). These files can then be accessed and edited when you are offline (they are also accessible when working online), and uploaded when you next connect. Unlike synchronisation, which transfers all files, OpenHand allows you to save only the required files.

On-device encryption
OpenHand encrypts locally saved emails, contacts, calendar entries and tasks using AES (128bit). The encrypted client is unlocked using a local password. OpenHand does not encrypt downloaded files. Third party applications are available that will encrypt the file structure of your device.

Highly Secure - Link encryption
OpenHand applies the highest recognised level of encryption, 128bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to safeguard all data transferred to field users from the OpenHand server. The communication is proprietary, which means that - unlike other remote server software, such as Microsoft® IIS - only OpenHand users can communicate with the OpenHand server.

Your Choice Of Platform
OpenHand puts you in charge: compatible with a variety of PDAs and laptops, there is no need to purchase dedicated mobile devices with limited functionality. OpenHand is available for PC's, laptops and mobile devices running: -

• Windows (95, 98, NT, 2000, XP)

• PocketPC (2000, 2002, 2003, Windows Mobile 2003 for PPC (including 2nd Edition), PPC Phone Edition)

• Palm (OS3 and above) / Sony Clie / Treo

• Symbian UIQ (Sony Ericsson P800/P900/P910i)

• Symbian Series 60 (Nokia 6600 and 7610)

• Symbian Series 80 (Nokia 9300/9500)

• MS Smartphone

System Requirements Exchange
System Requirements Exchange OpenHand Software recommends the following minimum dedicated server specification (100 concurrent users and below):
IBM Compatible PC, 800 Mhz Intel Pentium III Processor or Equivalent, 256 MB RAM, 500 MB Free Disk Space, 10/100 MB Network Card

Software Requirements Exchange
MS Exchange V5.5, 2000 or 2003,
MS Windows NT, MS Windows 2000 Server, MS Windows 2000 Pro, MS Windows 2003 Server, or MS XP Pro + accompanying service packs*
MS .NET Framework (1.0 or 1.1) + accompanying service packs*,
MS Outlook (set as default mail client)

* (Note: Please visit the Microsoft website (www.microsoft.com) for further information and to download the latest Service Packs and Critical Security Updates available.)

System Requirements Lotus Domino
Minimum x86 hardware Requirements OpenHand Software recommends the following minimum dedicated server specification (100 concurrent users and below):
IBM Compatible PC, 800 Mhz Intel Pentium III Processor or Equivalent, 256 MB RAM, 500 MB Free Disk Space, 10/100 MB Network Card

Software Requirements Lotus Domino
Lotus Domino version 6

Streamlined Connectivity
OpenHand requires no third party hosting it sits alongside your mail server - it supports all common wireless network protocols, such as GSM, GPRS, WiFi, Bluetooth (PAN), iRda, satellite and without any further configuration or cost will fully support the new 3G networks when they are implemented. OpenHand Server does not need dedicated hardware, although some customers choose to keep the application on a separate server. It can be easily installed on an existing under-utilised application server.

Ultra-Fast Access
OpenHand provides a very fast remote email user experience. Under normal circumstances you can connect to your email inbox in well under 30 seconds.

Worldwide Access - Use Any Mobile Network
Mobile data services are rapidly being rolled out across the world by telecoms providers. Europe is leading the world, but great strides are being made in the Americas, the middle and far East and Australasia. The OpenHand remote email, has been used successfully in all these territories. OpenHand's network independence provides global roaming freedom that most others simply cannot offer.

Flexible Pricing Model
You can choose either a monthly per user subscription or pay a single, one-off licence payment for each user named on the server. User licences are transferable, as employees come and go, the licences can be reused. In addition, one user licence supports all of our client applications, so OpenHand can be accessed by the user on a PDA, laptop and home PC, all for the price of one user licence. Pooling devices running OpenHand within your organisation so that they may be shared almost instantly with other colleagues is a realisable option given the flexibility of licensing.

Easy To Install And Use
OpenHand is simple and non-intrusive - no changes to the Microsoft® Exchange or Lotus Notes® mail server are required. The software runs using almost any remote access network infrastructure, such as VPN, Firewall or RAS. The user interface is based on the standard look and feel of the device being used, to provide an intuitive user experience, meaning that little or no training is required.

 Cost

We charge £15 a month for a license on OpenHand Enterprise and £18 a month for a license on SoHosted. A license simply means a user with his or her own username and password. The cost of licenses is basically all the cost you bear.

 One of Our Official Flyers

 Get Hooked Up

We at Blue Interface Limited do not want you to take our word for it on OpenHand. We want you to try the software for size, before buying. We will install a trial version in your office and let you run it for two weeks absolutely free of charge. To get started, contact me and I will send a crack team down to your doorstep immediately!