Extreme programming in the pipeline

Companies with mobile internet sites and mobile network operators are being offered a technology that allows their mobile content to be read by any device using any platform, including that of Wap rival iMode.

Companies with mobile internet sites and mobile network operators are being offered a technology that allows their mobile content to be read by any device using any platform, including that of Wap rival iMode.

Argogroup has received technical backing from Lucent and Logica, which aims to bring iMode to Europe. The software can be integrated into content providers' and operators' existing mobile sites to provide a seamless migration to the easier way of content design that the technology provides.

The company has filed 12 patents around the world to cover its technology. Richard Jelbert, chief technical officer at Argogroup, said: "We have used 'extreme programming' for our pipeline architecture."

The technology can support content to any handset in WML, HTML, CHTML (compact HTML), HDML or MML mobile languages. The C++ architecture developed by Argogroup is designed to sit alongside the mobile internet gateway and convert the house content of the operator or content provider into a different format when required by a handset.

Jelbert said that Argogroup continually logs the characteristics of each handset on the market to enable its software to stay on top of the game.

He added that this is necessary because, even within the Wap market in Europe, different phones read sites in slightly different ways, leading to errors. He said these errors, usually involving spurious characters, could be eliminated using Argogroup's solution.

Jelbert also claimed that the technology will help alleviate the worsening skills crisis in the mobile internet market. With a shortage of programmers with basic WML skills, the European market does not have the capacity to cope with different technologies like iMode in CHTML.

John Doyle, wireless internet solutions manager at Logica, said: "This technology enables content providers to offer 'write once, publish to all' wireless solutions, while preserving the original data quality. Argogroup is focused on a key component in the mobile internet value chain and is addressing an immediate market need."

Lucent has agreed to work jointly with Argogroup's developers to integrate the technology within its wireless internet solutions division. Argogroup will present a full run down of the yet to be named product at the end of the month, including cost details.

Jelbert said that the cost model will be flexible, but will probably involve either per user or per transaction charges.

First published in Network News