Palm Inc. extended its foray into the corporate software market Monday with the introduction of a new product aimed at IT developers and system integrators who want to create wireless applications that can access company databases in real time.
Palm’s new Wireless Database Access Server (WDBAS) allows software developers to create customized wireless applications using Integrated Development Environments such as AppForge and Metrowerks Inc.’s CodeWarrior. The applications can access information in company databases in real time.
The company said that the software is its first open handheld software that supports development of a single application that can be deployed on either a Palm OS or Microsoft Pocket PC device.
Palm said that WDBAS allows users to build applications that are secure, incorporating Certicom Corp.’s encryption libraries and supporting SSL (Secure Socket Layer) for Internet security.
The new software is now available in the U.S. through Metrowerks, which has bundled it with its CodeWarrior Enterprise Edition CD for the Palm OS platform, and through AppForge, which is offering it for download for use with its Visual Basic product.
WDBAS developer seats are being released now, and a WDBAS Enterprise Edition will be available later this year, the company said. The Enterprise Edition will include deployment licenses and advanced features.
The Santa Clara, Calif., company did not reveal pricing for the products.