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By Tony Hallett, 18 June 2001 17:10

NEWS Vodafone and Microsoft have teamed up to offer users access to a mobile version of Outlook from their companies' servers. Vodafone, which will roll out the offering globally, claimed the service "extends the power of the desktop to the mobile". The service is called 'Vodafone OfficeLive'. It secured cable operator NTL as a customer - and cited initial return on investment figures of 84 per cent - as well as HP, ICL and KPMG as systems integrators all deploying OfficeLive. The service will be available to corporate customers from the end of July. While Microsoft will look to sell its solution - generically dubbed Microsoft Mobile Software and based on Microsoft Mobile Information 2001 Server (MMIS) software - to other network operators, Vodafone was making the most of being the first to bring a service to market. Vodafone predicts it will make 20 to 25 per cent of its revenue from enhanced data services by 2004, and businesses will lead the uptake. Applications in addition to MS Outlook are expected to follow this year. Tim Sheedy, IDC research manager EMEA Telecoms, said: "Microsoft has developed a good solution. This time they've realised they have to work closely with the operators and make sure they are not treated like bit players." Others have said the emphasis on realtime client to corporate server communication means more than just users not having to worry about synchronising data. Jessica Figueras, analyst at Ovum, said: "Synchronisation is anti the mobile operators' interests. If users aren't passing data to and fro, they're not giving the operators traffic, and therefore revenue." Vodafone OfficeLive will be available to corporate customers over GSM and GPRS networks from the end of July, and eventually over 3G. For related news, see
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