Curious Networks on the air
COMPUTER SOFTWARE, INTERNET
By James Heckman, LocalBusiness.com
Jan 30, 2001 07:42 AM ET
CHICAGO, Jan. 30 (LocalBusiness.com) -- At a time when most
companies are issuing releases about layoffs or shutdowns, Curious Networks is about ready to get started.
The company Monday introduced
Continuum, a platform for sending Web applications through a variety of devices,
from the stodgy old PC to the latest Palm Pilots and Web-enabled phones. The
company's technology is based on MAXML, a custom-designed programming language
that entered beta testing in November last year.
"Because of the slight downturn in the economy, there is more focus at
companies to control their IT expenditures," CEO David Cutler told LocalBusiness.com.
"They're looking to broaden their reach to customers, which helps us. We provide
a way for companies to reach new customers without the costs of developing new
applications."
The problem with the upcoming wireless Internet revolution is that each cell
phone, two-way pager and Palm Pilot not only speaks a different language, but also
has a different format for presenting information.
Continuum works by focusing on how end users interact with Web-based
applications, rather than what device is being used. Companies would install
Continuum on their server, and the platform works on top of existing applications.
The system designs a unique Web page to match whatever device the end user
is using. For example, if a query comes in to an online travel agency from a
Web-enabled wireless phone, the Website automatically will be formatted to the
phone's small, monochromatic screen, or sent as voice information.
"The overall focus for our sales efforts is on Global 1000 companies,"
Cutler said. "But we're working within specific areas such as sales force
automation, CRM and employee communications. The focus is on business applications
and helping these companies embrace wireless technology."
At the moment, Curious Networks is relying on direct sales efforts to get
the word out. The company is looking for partners, such as professional services
firms or Web-hosting companies, to provide indirect sales.
Curious Networks has five or six customers using the Continuum platform as
part of the beta testing. Those companies have not yet launched their applications,
however, so the names will not be released until late February.
Since early November, Curious Networks has been running a MAXML workshop
where programmers could try out the new programming language. After that
beta-testing stage, the same Website, workshop.curiousnetworks.com, will
offer a scaled-down version of Continuum for developers to preview.
Curious Networks' main source of revenue will be a one-time licensing fee
between $25,000 and $50,000, for use of the Continuum platform, along with
annual maintenance fees for access to upgrades and technical support. The
company plans to target Global 1000 companies for the service.
In June last year, Curious Networks raised $3.5 million in a first round
led by BlueStar Ventures LP. Cutler said the company is seeking a $5 million
to $10 million second round, mainly to fund a larger product launch when the
beta-testing customers are made public.
Curious Networks was founded in September 1999 and has about 30 employees.
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