Just browsing the web I found and interesting news: Vodafone Spain unveils app portal for business customers.

In brief: they are launching a mobile services and apps portal for corporate customers!! (cfr http://www.telecompaper.com/news/article.aspx?type=a&cid=681402).

“The Vodafone Business Place portal will initially offer a multiplatform and multidevice development environment. Starting autumn, the portal will also feature a mobile app sale platform. With support from Microsoft, RIM, Sony Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung, HP, LG and HTC, the Vodafone Business Place portal is designed as a meeting point for customers, partners and developers. “  the articol said.

Let me say: it’s a sort of strange mash up where mobile app developers could upload app for a multi platform environment ranging from Blackberry to Windows Mobile.

Who is the the enabler? The network. Better: the platform available through the network.

The idea is not so unexpected, we have examples in the mass market, but now they will provide support for messaging, location and presence, e-mail or digital signature, typical services of a network (fixed or mobile) operator. Furthermore they will give the possibility to their partners to register themselves and integrate the respective services.

 “At present, the portal collaborates with more than 50 companies specialized in the development of mobile apps. The platform also includes hosting services, for companies whose IT projects require flexibility and reliability. “

Apart the complexity of the newer platform, starting next autumn they will enable corporate customers to access a wide range of business-focused mobile services!

The Vodafone Business Place portal will also include an online forum where customers and business partners can exchange services and solutions, as well as carry out business and marketing activities, with all the benefits of mobility.

It’s too early to say how it will be the future and the outcome of this beautiful Idea. One thing is clear: for the first time we have a mash up platform available for the business market.  Will Apple provide an “Itunes” for the Business market too? Or will their remain focussed on the mass market?

Don’t you think it is a good question?

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 16th, 2009 at 3:17 pm and is filed under Mash Ups. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.