WAP Banking Package on Show.

Hamburg-based e-brokerage software developer, Netlife_s Financial XS Mobile Suite is a complete package of WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) server applications and messaging gateways. It is being targeted at financial service providers wishing to offer banking and private share-dealing via mobile phones and PDAs. Commercial launch is expected before the end of March. Netlife says the modular design of the suite means that the individual applications can be installed individually or as a complete package. This gives banks complete freedom over how quickly to build on their investment in e-commerce. It is also well suited for a co-operative approach between financial institutions, content providers, mobile operators and/or ISPs. They can present a complete value proposition to customers around lifestyle services. The offering is particularly significant because it frees financial institutions to offer mobile services directly to their customers, without relying on the network operators. On palmtops and PDAs, client software must be installed which guarantees compliance to the German HBCI standard, thereby offering multi-bank capabilities. All that is needed is a connection to a data-enabled mobile phone, either using a cable or an infrared link. This requirement is already met by about one-third of all mobiles on the market and WAP compliance is not required.