Verizon Mobilizes Field Techs with McObject's Mobile Database & BlackBerry Smartphones

Leading broadband and telecom carrier Verizon Communications (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) has deployed the Perst™ Lite object-oriented, open source embedded database system from McObject® in BlackBerry smartphone software for service and repair technicians. The application, which will eventually be rolled out for use by thousands of Verizon personnel, enhances productivity by providing field techs with access to business and technical information via their preferred mobile devices.

With this software release, Verizon joins a growing list of companies that are gaining productivity and efficiency by enabling workers to accomplish important business tasks using a combination of BlackBerry devices and sophisticated client-side software based on Perst Lite. In a short time, McObject has racked up BlackBerry application design wins in fields ranging from mobile CRM to healthcare, banking and even agriculture.

"Line-of-business applications are migrating to BlackBerry devices and other smartphones. Software with sophisticated features, or that manages complex data, benefits greatly by incorporating a database system. Perst Lite is recognized in the BlackBerry development community as offering superior speed, features, flexible pricing, and developer support," McObject Chief Operating Officer Chris Mureen said.

"For Verizon Communications, a mobile solution for field technicians is a lifeline that plays a critical role in maintaining customer satisfaction and enabling the company to grow its business. McObject is pleased to be a part of Verizon's solution, and we take it as a vote of confidence that the company has purchased licenses to use up to 5,000 copies of Perst Lite," Mureen said.

Mobile line-of-business applications keep frontline workers close to critical business and technical information resources. Installing client software on employees' smartphones eliminates the need to carry – or to purchase – a laptop or other device.

But creating full-featured applications is made difficult by mobile devices' limited memory and CPU resources, and by the scarcity of database management systems (DBMSs) designed to run in the Java ME operating environment found in BlackBerry smartphones.

McObject developed Perst Lite as a highly efficient open source database for Java ME. As an object-oriented embedded DBMS, Perst Lite stores and retrieves Java objects without the data translation required by relational (non-object) databases. Perst Lite offers features including transactions; built-in full text search; support for multiple underlying storage modes, including on secure digital (SD) cards; and multiple database indexes, all with a minimal code "footprint" and fast performance.

Incorporating Perst Lite often trims programmer-months from a mobile application's development cycle, while improving the software's reliability and its speed in retrieving and storing records.

The open source Perst Lite is available for free download from http://www.mcobject.com/perst_eval

Perst and Perst Lite are part of McObject's family of powerful small footprint, high performance embedded database software products. The eXtremeDB® in-memory database from McObject is used widely in devices including MP3 players, WiMAX base stations, digital TVs, telecom/network communications equipment and military/aerospace technology. Perst is available for Java and .NET, including Java ME and .NET Compact Framework. Perst for .NET provides database capabilities, including local storage, in rich Internet applications based on Microsoft's Silverlight technology (see our Silverlight database demo). It also supports Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 (WP7) smartphone platform.

About McObject

Founded by embedded database and real-time systems experts, McObject offers proven data management technology that makes applications and devices smarter, more reliable and more cost-effective to develop and maintain. McObject counts among its customers industry leaders such BAE Systems, Siemens, Phillips, EADS, JVC, Tyco Thermal Controls, F5 Networks, CA, Motorola and Boeing. McObject, based in Issaquah, WA, is committed to providing innovative technology and first-rate services to customers and partners. The company can be reached at +1-425-888-8505, or visit www.mcobject.com.

McObject and eXtremeDB are registered trademarks of McObject LLC. All other company or product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.