Over The Air (OTA)

Introduction
In order to fully harness the power of the wireless data network, applications must be able to dynamically download to mobile devices.Over the air download, or OTA provisioning systems are needed to manage and provision applications to subscribers on demand.

Until recently, providers of wireless data services have recognized there is tremendous potential in being able to offer their subscribers anytime wireless access to new applications and services.For this reason, the wireless carriers have invested heavily to build network infrastructure to effectively deliver data to handsets.However, older technologies such as WAP (Wireless Application Protocol), has had only moderate adoption as an application platform due to poor application features and slow network performance.

Java is among the most compelling platforms for creating software for handset devices due to its cross platform nature.Java offers inherent security advantages because Java applications communicate through the VM and are not given access to core OS functions.In addition, because Java applications are stored in a bytecode class file format, they are more easily updated over the air.Java allows mobile device users instant access to the latest and most feature-rich applications.With Java, mobile users can easily download from a large array of applications dynamically, and then install and run them on a variety of mobile devices.

In order to achieve effective OTA download and application administration, carriers require a means to deliver these applications to mobile devices over the air and to be able to ensure a personalized and seamless end-user experience.Carriers require technology infrastructure for full wireless provisioning and remote administration of Java applications.CSOFT 's Mobile Application Platform (CMAP) is an end-to-end solution that provides the backend infrastructure for the delivery of Java applications to wireless devices.

CSOFT Mobile Application Platform (CMAP)
The CSOFT Mobile Application Platform or CMAP is designed from the ground up to allow next generation wireless applications developed in Java to be dynamically downloaded to mobile devices such as cell phones and PDA's. CMAP consists of several different software modules that work together to provide an end-to-end solution for the administration and over the air delivery of Java applications to wireless devices.The following are some of the benefits CMAP delivers to carriers, ICP's and wireless portal operators:

• Guaranteed Application Compatibility
  The CSOFT Mobile Application Platform ensures that only applications that conform to the device profile of the subscriber's handset can be downloaded, such as color or black/white screens and language configurations.Subscribers are protected from installing applications that are not intended to run on their handset.
  
• Personalized Content and Service
  Subscribers have the ability to subscribe to and receive only those services or application that they want, no longer paying for features that they will not use.Personalized Content allows subscribers to custom-tailor their plans, making customers more willing to subscribe.
  
• AP Submission Management
  The CSOFT Mobile Application Platform allows carriers and wireless portals to easily manage all phases of Java applications by 3rd party application developers.3rd party developers can easily submit applications for approval by the service provider, and also manage and update submitted content.
  
• Flexible Billing Capabilities
  CMAP records and manages all download activities by a user such as which applications or the amount of data a user downloads.CMAP also keeps track of the amount of time an application is used and at what times.These capabilities allow service providers to develop flexible billing models targeting different user groups.
  
• Security
  The CSOFT Mobile Application Platform detects applications that attempt to make restricted calls and prevents them from being downloaded.Subscribers are protected from having unknowingly harmful applications installed on their handsets.
  
  
• Customer Self-Service
  With the CSOFT Mobile Application Platform, Unicom can enable subscribers to update their account preferences on the server, allowing them to upgrade service plans without having to call customer service or having to visit a local service center.This leads to higher customer satisfaction and reduced support costs for the carrier.
  

CMAP Core Functionality

The CSOFT Mobile Application Platform (CMAP) provides a highly scalable and end-to-end solution for carriers and ICP's. CMAP is a flexible provisioning system that enables content providers to provide their customers with the ability to download and install Java applications to next generation Java enabled wireless devices.CMAP incorporates fail-safe mechanisms and load balancing software and hardware to ensure the high level of reliability required by service providers.

CMAP offers a number of core capabilities that give service providers full control of the provisioning process while ensuring a positive end-user experience

• Subscriber Profile Management
  Service providers maintain and update subscriber profiles to reflect the service agreement with the subscriber.CMAP extends the subscriber's profile to also determine whether a user may download all or a subset of applications available for his/her handset devices.An administrator can target individuals or groups of subscribers, as well as organize how the application list is presented to the subscriber by default.
  
  
• Device Profile Management
  Using the Administrative module of CMAP, the service provider can create and manage a database of handsets, and their specifications.CMAP utilizes this database to ensure that only applications which conform to a handset's specifications are allowed to be downloaded.This ensures that no incompatible software will be installed on a handset.
  
  
• Application Management
  CMAP provides web-based interfaces for the service administrator to manage the submission, review and approval of applications from 3rd party developers.
  
  
• Location Based Services
  CMAP can serve up applications and content based on a subscriber's location.This will improve the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.For example, a user interested in restaurant reservation in a city is first presented with qualified restaurants that are in the user's vicinity.
  
  
• Restricted Application Prevention
  CMAP includes features that identify and isolate restricted classes (as specified in Sun's KVM standards) within an application and prevents them from accessing an end-user's device.The administrator, based on specific API usage, can identify the profile of restricted applications.
  
  
• Comprehensive Reporting
  The Web Administrator Module of CMAP produces a variety of status reports to enable operators to evaluate subscriber use and the demand for applications.Reports can include the number of MIDlets downloaded, date of downloads, geographic or demographic distribution of users and more.
  
  
• Flexible Billing
  CMAP supports flexible billing models.For individual applications, service providers can bill subscribers by the amount of network usage generated by an application, the amount of data downloaded, or bill based on the cost of each application.
  
  
• Subscriber Personalization
  CMAP provides a web-based interface for subscribers to manage which wireless services are available from their device, as well as view information on their usage and download history.

For more information about CSOFT's wireless application solutions, please send an inquiry to info@csoftintl.com or click here.