Some consolidation in the mobile solutions business: Antenna Software is buying Volantis Systems, creating a combined entity that will work with businesses, brands and mobile operators to mobilize their content across apps and mobile internet platforms. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Up to now, Antenna’s main line of business has been the creation of enterprise-focussed mobile applications, many of which run on the company’s cloud-based Antenna Mobility Platform, and deployed directly and in partnership with operators, integrators and software vendors. It works with customers like Coca-Cola, AT&T (NYSE: T) and DirecTV (NYSE: DTV). The company also develops consumer apps in the areas of mobile banking, mobile shopping and mobile brokerage, with customers including E*Trade.
Volantis, meanwhile, has concentrated mainly on carrier deals and working with brands and enterprises to create consumer-facing mobile services. It says it works with more than 40 mobile operators world-wide to deliver mobile internet services. It also works with brands and companies in specific verticals of media/entertainment, banking and and retail to bring their digital content into mobile apps and mobile internet-based services. Recent work has included developing the mobil store for CBS (NYSE: CBS) Sports.
Similar to what appears to be happening in the digital advertising world — where we are seeing consolidation of mobile and online players to offer advertisers the option for single ad buys — this deal aims at giving enterprises the ability to look at their entire portfolio of mobile solutions, and potentially put the lot in with a single company, Antenna. The combined company will now have the ability to offer mobile solutions across a range of devices and platforms, and for both consumer and workforce audiences — although it remains to be seen whether the world is ready (or even should) to buy mobile services in a such a converged and single-minded way.
The company will operate under the Antenna brand, and will continue to have worldwide operations covering the U.S., Europe and Asia.
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