Cellphone tricks make distance meaningless

Doctors accessing patient records at the bedside, home-owners remotely protecting the house from intruders, and would-be TV stars making guest appearances from afar - all using cellphones.

These are just some of the innovative mobile applications unearthed by the Herald, in conjunction with Ericsson, in this year's Frontier competition.

Pioneering developers were invited to submit innovative applications that use the benefits of next-generation cellphone technologies.

More than 120 entries were received, twice as many as last year. Six companies from both sides of the Tasman have been shortlisted.

Australia

Intermoco Solutions: Provides companies with electricity meter readings instantly via wireless technology and the internet.

Power Clinical: Doctors can access all patient records, prescribe medication and order tests while at a patient's bedside, using the application HealthSpring.

Surelabs: Offers round-the-clock and remote security for home-owners, using a broadband-enabled alarm system.

New Zealand

Datasquirt: Retailers can order and pay for goods via their cellphone, using the application Textcode.

I. T. Link: Salespeople can check inventory, place orders and obtain customer information instantly while out in the field, using SalesLink Mobile.

Hyperfactory: The Mobile Multi-Media Enterprise Platform (M3EP) enables people to appear live on TV or radio shows by sending PXT or TXT via their mobiles.

Lisa Tuffs, business development manager for Ericsson Australia, said the standard of entries was high, with more than 90 per cent of applications commercially ready for market.

She said 75 per cent of entries were for business and enterprise use, which reflected "growth we are seeing in areas such as mobile office automation, logistics and procurement applications".

The winner, who receives airfares and accommodation, valued at A$15,000 ($16,800), to attend a global cellphone industry event, will be announced by the Herald on September 23.