Press Release
March 18, 2002
Onset to Offer Remote Locking Capability for BlackBerry; Application Secures Lost Devices, Prevents Data Theft
Onset to Offer Application that Lets Users Remotely Lock BlackBerry Handheld Devices While Preserving Data and Messages; Company's Federal & Government Sales Increase 300% During Past Six Months
Orlando, Florida, and Washington - Onset Technology announced today that it will offer RemoteLock, an application that lets RIM BlackBerry™ users remotely secure their handheld devices and data in case of loss or theft. The application, developed by LRW Digital and distributed exclusively by Onset's federal and commercial sales forces, lets users simply enter a "lock" password from any remote computer to shut down the BlackBerry user interface and prevent anyone from accessing data from the device. The company made the announcement at both the CTIA Wireless 2002 conference held in Orlando, Fl., March 18-20, 2002 and at the FOSE trade show held in Washington, DC from March 19-21, 2002.
Onset's METAmessage for Wireless solutions have become increasingly popular among enterprise, government and federal users as BlackBerry handheld device use has grown in those sectors. Over the past six months alone, Onset's defense and government customer base -- which includes Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, the US Department of Defense, Food and Drug Administration, Internal Revenue Service, and many other organizations -- has increased in size more than 300%, while its enterprise customer base has more than doubled. Onset is the only message-conversion solution provider with a dedicated federal sales force.
"Our dedicated resources, innovative message-conversion solutions and emphasis on security have contributed to the tremendous success we've experienced in the enterprise, federal and government markets," said Stewart Fox, vice president of sales for Onset. "By serving as the exclusive distributor of LRW Digital's RemoteLock solution, we are adding device-level security to the behind-the-firewall security we already offer with our METAmessage for Wireless solutions. Combined, these tools provide users with the most comprehensive message-conversion security available."
RemoteLock addresses the problem of handheld device loss -- an issue that is common among mobile users. The Gartner Group estimates that this year alone more than 250,000 cell phones and handheld devices will be left behind at major U.S. airports, and only 25% to 30% will ever find their way back to their owners(1). When these handheld devices are lost, organizations run the real risk of proprietary data stored on the device being compromised. RemoteLock overcomes this problem by rendering the handheld device dormant until it is unlocked with a password. Unlike other handheld device-security offerings, RemoteLock maintains the device's data and lets it continue to receive messages while dormant.
"Data security is a critically important issue for handheld device users," said Chris Tengwall, Chief Technology Officer from LRW Digital. "We selected Onset as the exclusive master distributor of our RemoteLock solution because we are confident that they are the leading third party application provider for BlackBerry devices and can apply the strongest resources to selling our product and meeting handheld device users' needs for security."
Security in a Few Keystrokes
RemoteLock is an easy-to-use, convenient application that requires users to simply set up a locking password, an unlocking password, and an "If found, please call ... " message at installation. When a device is lost, users can remotely lock it by sending an email message to the device -- from any computer -- with the locking password in the "Subject:" field of the message. Upon receipt of the message, RemoteLock will deactivate the handheld keypad while maintaining the device's data. It will also display the "If found, please call ... " message. The device can be unlocked and messages received by sending an email message to the device with the unlocking password in the "Subject:" field. RemoteLock is a standalone client application and does not require that the METAmessage Conversion Server be installed.
Pricing and Availability
RemoteLock requires BlackBerry Desktop Manager version 2.1 or later. The product is available now. For pricing information, contact Onset sales at (877) 847-8329.
METAmessage for Wireless Solutions Meet Variety of Needs
METAmessage for Wireless solutions have been adopted by Fortune 500 companies such as Bechtel, CBS/Viacom, PepsiCo, Pfizer, and Universal Studios. The METAmessage Conversion Server software, which provides the foundation for all METAmessage solutions with the exception of RemoteLock, is built on a scalable, open architecture that lets enterprises and carriers leverage their existing messaging infrastructures while also providing a dependable platform for future growth. Users can start with one METAmessage for Wireless solution and easily add modules as their needs -- and messaging technology -- evolve.
METAmessage modules include AttachmentsPlus™, that lets handheld users read and print email attachments and Web pages, get corporate contact information, and view spreadsheets and slides with original format intact, and GetFile™, that lets handheld users access files located on their corporate network for remote sending. When used in conjunction with AttachmentsPlus, GetFile also lets users read and print files.
About Onset Technology
Onset solutions bridge messaging systems and networks to make vital corporate information accessible and manageable on any type of communication device. The company's METAmessage for Wireless solutions are available as ASP service offerings for individuals and workgroups, enterprise offerings for corporations, and as carrier offerings for telco, ASP and ISP providers. Onset's scalable solutions are built around its robust, patent-pending technologies and are sold by its extensive network of VARs, systems integrators and resellers. Onset partners with major industry vendors, including Compaq, Intel, Microsoft, and RIM, to create market-specific Onset software solutions and to support seamless product and system integration. Onset's U.S. corporate headquarters are located at 111 Mission St., Santa Cruz, Calif., 95060, phone (831) 471-1360, fax (831) 471-1364.
METAmessage®, METAmessage Conversion Server, and GetFile are trademarks of Onset Technology. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.
CONTACT: Audrey Webb of aMate Comm., +1-408-402-0927 or audrey@amatecommunications.com, for Onset Technology/ 09:02 EST
© 2002, PR Newswire
