Vodafone UK will evaluate and endorse new applications following a rigorous assessment by an independent expert of their technical integrity, as well as study relevant customer demand and vertical sector suitability. The programme has been developed as a result of growing customer demand for mobile data solutions, generated by the popularity of mobile email services such as Vodafone Business Email and BlackBerry from Vodafone. The objective of the applications programme is to provide Vodafone UK’s customers with help & support for choosing the most suitable product and application provider for their business needs.

There are three tiers to the programme:

· Vodafone Branded: designed for applications with a proven customer demand and with appeal across multiple vertical markets. Examples of existing applications at this level include AppSwing from Vodafone, a solution that enables companies to mobilise their existing Windows-based line of business applications onto BlackBerry, Symbian or Microsoft Windows mobile devices.

· Vodafone Preferred: applications that have been approved by an independent technical expert and are proven to have an appeal across two or more vertical markets. Vodafone Preferred applications benefit from Vodafone UK’s professional services expertise to aid customer deployment.

· Vodafone Certified: applications that have been tested and approved by an independent technical expert.

By working with Vodafone UK, independent software vendors gain access to Vodafone UK’s technical expertise and testing programme. In addition, they benefit from integration with existing Vodafone UK solutions such as its managed services programme and device management capabilities. Vodafone branded and preferred applications will also benefit from integration into Vodafone UK’s ongoing sales and marketing programmes, both direct and through partners.

Mark Bond, director of enterprise marketing at Vodafone UK said: “As the mobile and IT worlds converge, business people are increasingly aware of the efficiencies that can be achieved through the deployment of business applications on mobile devices. Our aim is to be the most respected authority in the UK with regards to the implementation of new mobile applications and in building the trust that is required for new adoption.”

Vodafone UK has already approved a number of independent software vendors as part of the Preferred application level within the programme. These include Aeromark, Cognito, Galty, Sona, Ubisys, TBS and Vettro, who have developed solutions ranging from telematics and sales solutions to tools that replicate the functionality of the desktop environment on the mobile device. Further applications have passed technical testing within the certified application level and will be launched on the Vodafone UK network in the coming months.

Those interested in participating in the new programme should contact vodafoneapplications@vodafone.net or visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business.

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