| Type | Public limited company (AIM: SYNC, TSX-V: SYN) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer software |
| Founded | 1995, Bodiam, England (DAT Group), 2004, Berlin, Germany (Synchronica) |
| Headquarters | Royal Tunbridge Wells, England |
| Key people |
David A. Mason, Executive Chairman |
| Website | www.synchronica.com |
Synchronica plc is a public listed (AIM: SYNC, TSX-V: SYN) software vendor that develops and markets mobile push email and synchronization solutions, as well as mobile messaging solutions targeted at mobile network operators and device manufacturers.
Synchronica is headquartered in Tunbridge Wells, UK, and also maintains development centres in Berlin, Madrid and Manila, in addition to regional presence in the USA, Hong Kong and Dubai.
Synchronica is one of the industry's principal users of open industry standards, and their products support the relevant standards developed by the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA). In 2004, Synchronica became the first company to deploy a live installation of a SyncML device management (now OMA DM) server in a carrier-grade environment, with Siemens Mobile AG.[1]
Products include the mobile push email and synchronization solution Mobile Gateway, and a mobile data back and restore solution, Mobile Backup. In 2009, Synchronica announced that it will supply its Mobile Gateway product in a new strategic collaboration with an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), and a 'major' mobile device distributor. Under the agreement, the three partners will develop and market a low cost mobile phone that will have built-in mobile email supplied by Synchronica. This mobile phone was launched on on 10 February 2010. Known as the MessagePhone, it is a white label product that is targeted primarily to mobile operators in the emerging markets of Latin America, Africa and Asia.[2]
Contents |
Synchronica Software GmbH was founded in 2004, specializing in open industry standards-based synchronization and device management solutions for the mobile industry. In 2005, Synchronica was acquired by AIM listed infrastructure consultancy DAT Group, headquartered in the village of Bodiam in East Sussex. Later that year, the newly created group company underwent a management restructuring and rebranding to Synchronica plc.[3] The orientation of the company turned from a project to a product focus, and this strategy remains in place today. In 2006, Synchronica moved headquarters from Bodiam to the historic town of Royal Tunbridge Wells in Kent.
Synchronica has engaged in several strategic acquisitions, in an effort to bolster their competitive position in the fiercely contested mobile messaging market.
In November 2007, Synchronica acquired the assets and intellectual property of the US-based mobile email specialist GoodServer whose email enablement and integration technology was already a key part of Synchronica’s Mobile Gateway product.[4]
Another key deal, which was completed in September 2008, was the acquisition of AxisMobile Limited. AxisMobile Limited was the operating subsidiary of Synchronica’s competitor, AxisMobile plc. AxisMobile developed a number of email technologies suitable for the consumer mass-market, and this intellectual property is now fully owned by Synchronica, who have integrated it into their Mobile Gateway product.[5]
In March 2010, Synchronica agreed to acquire the OMA Instant Messaging and Presence Service business, reseller agreements, and existing worldwide mobile operator customer base, of the Instant Messaging developer Colibria AS. Synchroica will continue to develop, market, and support Colibria's IM technology as a stand-alone product, while also integrating it into Mobile Gateway, and pre-installing it onto the MessagePhone.[6] In September of the same year, Synchronica acquired its Canadian mobile email rival, iseemedia Inc. As part of the deal, Synchronica acquired iseemedia's patent-pending document streaming technology, as well as contracts with three large mobile operators in India and South-East Asia. [7]
In February 2011, Synchronica acquired the assets of instant messaging vendor Neustar NGM including product, intellectual property and eleven customer contracts with international mobile operators and two tier-1 device manufacturers. [8]
As at May 2010, Synchronica's ownership is principally in the hands of institutional investors, with investment firm Lanstead Partners being the largest shareholder, owning around 12% of the available shares.[9]