Microsoft yesterday announced a set of enabling services -
codenamed HailStorm - which are intended to advance its .NET
strategy. HailStorm will enable developers to build XML internet
services that offer better personalisation for users.
"HailStorm is a key milestone to deliver on the Microsoft
mission to empower people through great software, any time, any
place and on any device," said Bill Gates, Microsoft chairman and
chief software architect. "We believe this innovation will take
individual empowerment to a new level, create unprecedented
opportunity for the industry and trigger a renewed wave of
excitement."
HailStorm allows users to store and manage personal information
and selectively distribute it to third parties. It will tie tasks
such as e-mail, instant messaging, web browsing, address books and
calendar appointments into subscription services accessed through a
PC, PDA or mobile phone.
Microsoft described how HailStorm could be used to book a flight
as an example of its application. HailStorm will help enable an
on-line travel service to automatically access the individual's
preferences and payment information. If travelling on business, a
user’s affiliation with their company's HailStorm group identity
makes it possible for the travel service to automatically show only
the choices that meet the traveller's individual preferences and
which adhere to the company’s travel policies.
Once the user has chosen a flight, the travel service can use
HailStorm - with the traveler's permission - to automatically
schedule the itinerary onto the specific calendar service he or she
uses. Through HailStorm, live flight itinerary information can be
shared with whomever the traveller designates, and can also be
accessed through a PC, someone else’s PC, a smart phone, a PDA or
any other connected device.
The HailStorm platform uses an open access model - which means
it can be used with any device, service or application with an
internet connection, regardless of the underlying platform,
operating system, object model, programming language or network
provider (Windows, Macintosh, UNIX, Palm OS, Windows CE, etc).
