Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Red Bend wins update software deals with Lenovo, Nollec

By Mass High Tech Staff

Waltham-based mobile software management developer Red Bend Software Inc., says it has signed two new licensing agreements with Chinese mobile handset manufacturers — Lenovo Mobile and Nollec.

Both agreements include Red Bend’s vCurrent Mobile software for firmware over-the-air (FOTA) updating and its vDirect Mobile software for device management, which will be embedded on the handsets of each manufacturer.

Financial terms of the agreements wee not disclosed.

Lenovo will sell its Red Bend-enabled i399 phone through China Mobile Communications Corp. Nollec’s distribution channel was not disclosed.

Lenovo Mobile is part of Chinese electronics conglomerate Lenovo Group Ltd., a maker of desktops, laptops, servers, handheld computers, imaging equipment and mobile phones, and is based in China.

Nollec is a wireless handset and terminal manufacturer also based in China, with customers throughout Asia and the United Kingdom.

Red Bend’s FOTA software allows operators and manufacturers to deliver firmware updates to handsets using a wireless connection, while its device management software allows for device provisioning, information retrieval and security functions.

Founded in 1999, Red Bend Software has raised $34 million in private funding. Investors include Waltham’s Greylock Partners, Minneapolis-based Coral Capital Management and Carmel Ventures of Israel. The company operates offices in China, Israel, Japan, Korea and the United Kingdom, and counts LG Electronics Inc., Motorola Inc., NEC Corp. and Sharp Corp. among its customers.