U3 and Realm Systems unchain mobile workers from their laptops

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: KEITH SHAW ON WIRELESS COMPUTING
DEVICES
09/29/05
Today's focus: U3 and Realm Systems unchain mobile workers from
their laptops

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* DemoFall presenters aim to make life easier for mobile workers
* Links related to Wireless Computing Devices
* Featured reader resource
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by Nokia
Empower Your Mobile Enterprise

Nokia believes that business mobility will fundamentally change
the way work gets done-and for the better. To allow the entire
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increased efficiency through enhanced mobility. Learn more by
downloading this white paper today!
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=116019
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Many of these companies also route long-haul traffic over
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_______________________________________________________________

Today's focus: U3 and Realm Systems unchain mobile workers from
their laptops

By Keith Shaw

Continuing the coverage of DemoFall 2005, I ran across two
companies taking different approaches to a similar problem -
mobile workers who need access to corporate applications but who
don't want the hassle of bringing a VPN-enabled laptop along
with them while they travel.

I was already aware of the first company U3, as I'd written
about its U3 platform for USB SmartDrives in a previous
newsletter <http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile7487>. To
refresh the memory, a USB SmartDrive with the U3 platform on it
will let users carry a personal workspace with them wherever
they go. Not only will data and files be allowed, but also a
user's software applications and settings will be stored on the
drive with them. In addition to bringing this stuff with them,
users will also feel secure in that any PC they end up using
will not leave any trace of information on the device after they
are finished.

At least four USB flash drive manufacturers debuted products
with U3 - I got samples from Verbatim (an impressive 1G-byte
capacity SmartDrive), SANdisk, Kingston Technologies and
Memorex. Once I get the drives to recognize applications and
data stored on my work laptop (I was traveling with a
non-production notebook for the DemoFall show), I'll give an
update on the different devices.

The second company taking a different approach to the same
problem is Realm Systems, which at the show launched its Mobile
Personal Server (1400E) device, a server that can fit in your
pocket. The secure and platform-independent device can plug into
the USB port of any computer (regardless of operating system)
and lets the user safely and securely access any corporate
applications and services.

An impressive part of the Realm Systems demo was the fact that
the MPS can remember the state of the application if a user
switches computer systems in midstream. For example, a user can
begin a word processing document, unplug the device and then
plug it into a separate computer and continue to work from the
exact same spot (this has to be seen to be believed). The MPS
device includes a biometric fingerprint scanner for
authenticating users to the applications and has other security
features that should please IT managers trying to support a
mobile work force. More details are available at the Realm
Systems Web site <http://www.realmsys.com/>.

Our coverage of DemoFall companies in the mobility space will
continue next week - it turns out that day 2 of the show
includes many other mobile phone-related products and
applications. If you can't wait, remember you can always just
access the Network World DemoFall blogs
<http://www.networkworld.com/community/?q=taxonomy/term/213> and
see what we wrote about last week.

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. How to solve Windows system crashes in minutes
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile7747>
2. IPTV will trip up Bells, analysts say
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile7876>
3. McAfee, Omniquad top anti-spyware test
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile6979>
4. Skype: Hazardous to network health?
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile7877>
5. The rise of the IT architect
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile7186>

_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Keith Shaw

Keith Shaw is Senior Editor, Product Testing, at Network World.
In addition, he writes the " Cool Tools
<http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/cooltools.html> "
column, which looks at gizmos, gadgets and other mobile
computing devices.

You can reach Keith at <mailto:kshaw@nww.com>.
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by Nokia
Empower Your Mobile Enterprise

Nokia believes that business mobility will fundamentally change
the way work gets done-and for the better. To allow the entire
organization to get the most from this paradigm shift in
productivity, Nokia Enterprise Solutions focuses on delivering
increased efficiency through enhanced mobility. Learn more by
downloading this white paper today!
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=116018
_______________________________________________________________
ARCHIVE LINKS

Archive of the Wireless Computing Devices newsletter:
http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/mobile/index.html

Keith Shaw's Cool Tools:
http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/cooltools.html
_______________________________________________________________
FEATURED READER RESOURCE

The Trend Micro Threat Map

The Trend Micro Threat Map dynamically displays real-time data
to show worldwide trends in virus and content security threats
as they happen. Collected from actual computer infections, the
Threat Map can be used to help determine appropriate security
policies, based on the prevalence of threats that can adversely
affect your business.

<http://www.networkworld.com/go/trendmicro/trend_frr>
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