In a move intended to capitalize on the burgeoning enterprise mobility market, Motorola (News - Alert) unveiled the 'ES400 Enterprise Digital Assistant' -- a powerful, durable, palm-size mobile taskmaster which, at first glance, looks like a simple BlackBerry (News - Alert).

 

The Schaumburg, Ill.-based wireless equipment manufacturer's Enterprise Mobility Solutions division, which announced the ES400 today at a live media event on the seventh floor of the New York Stock Exchange in Manhattan with partners Microsoft and Sprint (News - Alert), said it designed the powerful gadget to meet a serious marketplace need. 

 

'A significant number of our customers don't have a computing device to meet their business needs,' said Greg Brown, CEO, Motorola Solutions. 'We look forward to partnering with Microsoft in defining and validating the roadmap … to the next generation of OS.'

 

The new ES400 bears some similarities - namely its Motorola-dubbed 'ruggedized' quality - to the MC9500 handheld computing device, which is used in a number of vertical markets, from retail to home health. Like the MC9500, the ES400 comes with capabilities like 2D mobile barcode scanning and push-to-talk.

 

When TMCnet asked a Motorola why a company would want to invest in the ES400 when the MC9500 already exists, Bob Sanders, Motorola Enterprise Mobility Solutions SVP and general manager, said the ES400 is more suited to the business professional - for example the field sales manager who doesn't work in the warehouse directly with inventory, but still needs to keep tabs on operations.  

 

Built on the Microsoft Windows 6.5 platform, Motorola reps stressed that the ES400 is ideal for a number of enterprise workers because it does so much more than a consumer device. Its GPS function, for example, powers up much more quickly than a consumer-class device's GPS system. Extra layers of security cushion the data it sends and received, making it HIPAA compliant (for health care workers) as well as PCI (News - Alert) compliant.

 

And unlike your BlackBerry, iPhone or other consumer mobile device, the ES400 is less prone to crashing if you're dong a lot of things at once, said Eduardo Conrado, CMO, Motorola Enterprise Mobility Solutions and Networks.

 

'At any given time, task workers are going to access two, three or more business applications,' he said, noting that IT managers, too, will have an easier time managing multiple units, rather than managing a bunch of consumer devices.

 

And thanks to a highly secure Windows Mobile 6.5 platform, if you happen to leave your device at a local pub (like a certain Gizmodo editor), an IT manager can wipe it clean to protect valuable data or company information, Microsoft product manager David Wurster told TMCnet during a one-on-one media interview.

 

The Redmond, Wash.-based computing giant discussed its own enterprise mobility 'roadmap' at the Motorola ES400 media event.

 

'For the first time, we're making a strategic investment in the enterprise market,' Wurster told TMCnet, adding that Microsoft is also extending its support lifecycle. 'In the enterprise space, people keep these devices for a long time. They don't want to necessarily change the hardware. The ES400 is a new class of device for the enterprise market.'

 

Key enterprise features of the ES400 include:

1.      Customizable Motorola Enterprise User Interface, which makes business-critical information and functions available with one key press. It also includes enterprise-specific enhancements like photo annotation.

2.      One button push-to-scan: 1D and 2D bar code reading fulfilling the needs of mobile workers. 

3.      Large, super-bright, three-inch VGA screen (750 NITS - nearly twice as bright as consumer devices for usage indoors and outdoors) plus integrated keyboard.

4.       Easy and accurate input with stylus and touch-screen allowing signature capture that is often necessary for completing field tasks;

5.      Standard battery power to endure full shifts in nearly any work environment. An extended-life battery is also available;

6.      True worldwide communications with user-selectable 3.5G WAN: GSM HSPA and CDMA EVDO RevA compatibility;

7.      Broad WLAN functionality supporting 802.11 a/b/g, enabling data, and in 2011, an application for push-to-talk over VoIP compatibility;

8.      Durable construction to withstand dust, drops and bumps occurring every business day. Meets MIL-STD 810G drop specifications leading to lower total cost of ownership;

9.      Enterprise-class security including built-in biometric fingerprint reader;

10. Three-year life cycle for easier, better IT support and product management, support and service programs designed for business, adding to a better return on investment;

11. support from the Windows Mobile 6.5 platform, designed for seamless connectivity, application compatibility and support for industry-specific applications and advanced security and device management mobility needs, according to Motorola.

 

The new ES400 will be the first Motorola mobile computer to be carrier-branded, stocked and sold to enterprises through the Sprint Direct and Business Solutions Partners sales channels providing customers with access to a versatile device that meets the needs of the expanding enterprise. 

'This device was built with the business user in mind; with its compact size and advanced applications leveraging the Sprint 3G network, Motorola's ES400 is a breakthrough enterprise-class device that can meet the needs of business users who are constantly seeking ways to boost individual and team productivity,' said Danny Bowman, president - Integrated Solutions (News - Alert) Group, Sprint. 'Sprint is ideally positioned to offer enterprise customers tools uniquely suited to meet their needs, and continues to build a reputation as an industry leader among business customers searching for cost-effective wireless devices and applications.'

Motorola's new ES400 EDA will be available later this year to customers through the Motorola EMS sales team, Sprint and members of the PartnerEmpower channel program. For more information on the ES400 EDA, please visit www.motorola.com/ES400 or www.sprint.com/ES400.