Nokia announced today that it will expand its focus on the business world with the launch of its new software solution, Nokia Business Center, which delivers business applications and mobile email for smartphones and business-optimized mobile devices. Nokia's goal is to change the economics of mobility, making applications like mobile email more affordable, intuitive and collaborative so employees have more freedom to work, while companies realize greater return on investment. This vision is in line with Nokia's goal to be the mobile device provider of choice for businesses of all sizes, while delivering a simple, integrated mobile voice and application experience.

The mobile email market is vast and untapped. Industry experts report there are 650 million corporate email inboxes in use today, while current corporate mobile email subscribers number less than 10 million. In a recent survey among IDC's Mobile Advisory Council members whose organizations had mobilized at least one business function, wireless email was virtually universal having been deployed by 82 percent of these organizations.

"We are focused on changing the economics of mobile email adoption with Nokia Business Center. As the leading mobile phone manufacturer in the world, we have the distinct advantage of being able to make a great mobile business device that can be used to make phone calls, do email, or use other applications. Considering 70 percent of people who use popular email devices also carry a mobile phone, the opportunity for us to provide one device and solution that perfectly addresses both the voice and data experiences is tremendous," said Mary McDowell, executive vice president of Nokia's Enterprise Solutions business group. "In the current landscape, many industry players are going after a slice of the potential mobile email market. Nokia is going after the full 650 million corporate email inboxes. We want to knock down the barriers to mobilizing the entire corporate email market."

McDowell continued, "We have the background, legacy, and experience to excel in this marketplace, and we intend to do so. We have only just begun to offer businesses the type of cost-effective, easy-to-use, and reliable business solutions they are seeking."

Nokia is poised to meet the needs of companies across the globe as it expands its strategy to focus on business customers. Nokia's integrated portfolio of business offerings includes Nokia devices, applications, security, support and professional services, while working together with partners and channels to deliver customized solutions for each customer. The company's vision around business - enabling workforce mobility - is supported by industry experts and offers a compelling opportunity for success.

"Worldwide enterprise wireless email adoption has only begun to scratch the surface, just as a fraction of the hundreds of millions of corporate email seats that have mobile access in the world is approaching two billion wireless subscribers," said Stephen Drake, program director IDC's Mobile Software Services. "Successful providers delivering corporate mobile email solutions must address the need for mass market adoption."

"By collaborating broadly with emerging and established mobile email solutions players, and offering our own capability with the launch of Nokia Business Center, Nokia offers businesses a broad choice of mobile e-mail solutions, delivery options, and deployment methods to create a mobile e-mail environment for their specific needs," said Scott Cooper, vice president, Mobility Solutions of Nokia's Enterprise Solutions business group.

"The combination of Nokia's powerful brand, worldwide reach, and extensive carrier relationships make them a market leader in enterprise mobility," said Danny Shader, CEO, Good Technology. "Nokia Business Center will drive even greater demand for Nokia-powered handhelds, and we're happy to collaborate closely with them to deliver a broad set of applications that include and extend beyond enterprise messaging."

"We are working closely with Good Technology and our common carrier partners to deliver comprehensive enterprise solutions on Nokia business devices," continued Cooper. "GoodLink and GoodAccess complement Nokia Business Center and will provide an end-to-end handheld computing experience, including access to mission critical enterprise applications such as email, CRM, ERP and Unified Messaging, for Nokia's customers and channels who select Good's SLA-backed software and service." Along with other email partners, Nokia offers the broadest choice of critical email solutions businesses are seeking today.

"The nature of our work requires that many of our staff often travel and work remotely," said Mark Newall, a partner in Accenture's Communications & High Tech practice in the United Kingdom. "Participating in the UK pilot for Nokia Business Center will allow us to explore different communications options and gain further insight into the mobile enterprise solutions the market is demanding."

"Nokia is differentiating its enterprise Wireless email solution with a Network Operations Center-independent approach that will gain attention from operators and enterprises seeking cost effective alternatives in an increasingly crowded space," said Kevin Burden, program manager, IDC Mobile Device Service.

As part of Nokia's mobile application strategy, Nokia is working with operators around the world to deliver Nokia Business Center via operator-branded services and client software.

"We are currently conducting a pilot of Nokia Business Center for mobile email, calendar and contacts," said Miroslaw Bielicki, vice president of Polkomtel SA, a Polish network operator of Plus GSM. "Plus GSM is considering the addition of Nokia Business Center to its 'Mobile Office' services portfolio, pending a successful test period. These services enable mobile work beyond the office, and provide instant access to information located on enterprise mail servers, such as email, calendar and contacts."

Nokia Business Center can be purchased from select carriers and accredited resellers and will be available in the Americas and EMEA in the fourth quarter of 2005. Pilots will begin in other markets during the fourth quarter.

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