JSE-listed Accord Technologies` subsidiary Wireless Data Services (WDS), and independent Internet Service Provider, NetActive, have joined forces to cut through the hype around WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) and enable consumers to access NetActive`s NetFlorist website, purchase and pay for flowers online - using only a WAP-enabled cellphone handset.
Accord is positioning itself as SA`s leading developer of WAP applications and is hosting SA`s first WAP training seminar, which is endorsed by the International WAP Forum, later this month.
WAP is the de facto worldwide standard for providing Internet communications and advanced telephony services on digital mobile phones, pagers, personal digital assistants and other wireless terminals.
At present, only a handful of cellular handsets are WAP-ready. However, WAP Forum, the industry association comprising over 90 members which developed the WAP standard, predicts that there will be over 100-million compatible devices shipped worldwide by end 2000.
"There`s been a great deal of talk about WAP and its potential," says Accord director, Bennie Marais. "In SA, however, WAP is seen largely as enabling cellphone users to browse the Internet and obtain information. We have gone a step further and used WAP technology to accomplish interactive m-commerce."
WDS, which developed one of the first WAP applications to be publicly demonstrated in the UK, handled the WAP-enablement and m-commerce back-end of the NetFlorist site.
NetFlorist was originally developed by NetActive as a step towards solidifying the vertical integration of e-commerce enabling the florist industry.
The success of the site has been overwhelming, so much so that local search engine - Ananzi; leading cellular provider - MTN; and top banking institution Standard Bank have all commissioned NetActive to create e-commerce florist sites utilising NetFlorist on the backend.
"We are focussed on developing user friendly sites through which companies can increase their earning potential and consumers can access a variety of essential and entertaining products and services," says Jonathan Hackner, e-commerce director at NetActive.
"The use and adaptation of the NetFlorist service for AnanziFlorist , MTN Flowers and Standard Bank Flowers is a prime example of NetActive`s e-commerce growth and partner programme strategy. Our partnership with WDS further enhances the services offered on the NetFlorist sites.
"It also proves our commitment to the development of our e-commerce initiatives and meeting market demands for quick, efficient and safe on-line transactions," Jaclmer adds.
"There are currently over 4-million cellphone subscribers in SA, creating a valuable market for ISP`s wanting to bring the Internet to consumers` via their cellphones," says Candice Stupple, Product Manager for NetFlorist.
"As one of this country`s largest independent ISP`s, NetActive has a commitment to unleashing the power of the Internet, and the company certainly sees the application of WAP technology as a powerful means to addressing this commitment," she concludes.
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