ATCO and Good Technology sign regional deal

The ATCO-Good deal covers most of the Arab world. Good has developed two software programs that ATCO is introducing to the region over the next few months, GoodLink and GoodAccess. GoodLink, which is now available, creates full, two-way, push synchronization with Microsoft Exchange on a secure basis.

In March, GoodLink beat RIM's Blackberry and Microsoft's ActiveSync to earn PC Magazine's Editor's Choice for wireless enterprise messaging solutions. GoodAccess extends the secure, mobile, and synchronized capabilities of GoodLink to enterprise database programs, such as SAP, Oracle, and Siebel.

"Good offers standards-based solutions that do not try to compete against world-class handset makers and operating system developers," says Mohab Khattab, Vice President of Business Development and Senior Legal Counsel at ATCO.

"GoodLink and GoodAccess work on handsets using the Microsoft Windows Mobile, Pocket PC Phone Edition 2003 and Palm operating systems. GoodLink supports multiple handsets and operating systems on the same server. Over twelve handsets are currently supported by GoodLink, with more to come, including commercial and industrial data-only handsets."

Keeping with its standards-based strategy, GoodAccess offers agnostic data access for users. Good's solutions work over GPRS and WiFi connections. To work in GPRS mode, a user simply needs a GPRS subscription, with no additional integration, development, or cooperation from a mobile telecom operating company. A user can use an alternate GPRS network while traveling simply by using the roaming partner network's GPRS network.

One of the features that sets GoodLink apart from its competitors is back-office management, says Mr. Khattab. "GoodLink offers IT administrators a cost-effective, highly secure solution that allows over-the-air administration and management, including authentication for new handsets, software deployments on and upgrades of enabled handsets, and remote erasure for lost or stolen handsets. The product also provides enterprise-class security, using both AES (192 kb) and SSL (128 kb) encryption."

Over 6,500 companies use Good, including seven of the United States Fortune 10, and twenty-six of the Fortune 50. Leading enterprise customers include Visa, KPMG, Starbucks, and Deloitte Services.