Nokia pulling out of corporate software

NOKIA HAS decided to 'get real' and divest itself of software developments which really aren't part of its core handset expertise.

It hopes to sell off its services and software division which still sells corporate firewall products.

But more to the point, Nokia appears to be abandoning further development of its own push email solution based around technology it acquired from Intellisync for $430 million back in 2006.

Putting a brave face on it, Nokia is claiming that elements of the former Intellisync software have made their way into its new Ovi online mobile software sales platform.

The reality is, however, that its offering – known simply as the Nokia Email service – was competing against key partners.

Chief of those is Microsoft whose Exchange software has more than a small following in corporate circles. The company also appears keen not to be seen as competing against IBM.

Lotus, anybody?

The real winners here will include mobile email specialists such as Synchronica which sells email solutions based around SyncML.

Indeed, when Intellisync was known by its original name – Pumatech – it was regarded by many as the leading exponent of SyncML – a technology which allows easy synching between a PC based PIM and a handset or PDA.

It also seems that Nokia is keen to cosy up with Cisco, so getting rid of its security software business would be a jolly good idea.

The interesting point here, however, is that Nokia appears to be quietly distancing itself from RIM and its Crackberry. The ability for Nokia handsets to quickly and easily sync themselves with RIM's email servers is disappearing from new Nokia models.

Of course, Nokia couldn't have picked a worse time to sell anything to a venture capital company, so the move might have to be delayed somewhat. µ