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In a bid to compete with enterprise wireless solutions compatible with Palm OS, Pocket PC, Sybmian and BlackBerry platforms, Sharp Electronics and Aether Systems, a provider of wireless and mobile data solutions, have launched an enterprise version of "Sharp Mobile Services, Unwired by Aether" for the Sharp Zaurus PDA. A consumer version was launched earlier this year.

According to the companies, the enterprise solution built on Aether's Fusion technology, offers the following features: secure, real-time, wireless access to e-mail; ability to view and edit document attachments; access to personal information management functionalities; ability to browse the Internet on mobile enabled web sites; and additional customized applications.

Developed on a Linux-based platform that also incorporates a Personal Java Virtual Machine, the companies said "Sharp Mobile Services, Unwired by Aether" provides behind-the-firewall security, flexibility and scalability required by corporate users. Aether and Sharp said they will provide users with an integrated wireless data package, including application server and support hosting, product fulfillment, customer care, technical support, and 24-hour network operations support.

The enterprise version integrates with existing enterprise e-mail systems such as Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Domino. Other features of the service include attachment management, ability to initiate, accept and reject meetings, and the ability to search global contacts.

The linux-based Zaurus SL-5500, which was introduced to the U.S. market late last year, features a color reflective LCD screen technology; an integrated QWERTY keyboard with a sliding cover; dual expansion with Compact Flash and SD slots; an Intel StrongARM 206MHz processor; 64MB of standard memory; and an MP3 and MPEG1 multimedia player.