AT&T debuts BusinessDirect mobile portal

BEDMINSTER, N.J.-AT&T Inc. expanded services for its BusinessDirect business, launching a mobile portal for its network manager customers.
The offering is designed to allow network administrators to monitor corporate networks from any Web-enabled wireless phone. Users can request network maintenance and monitor repair progress with the service, which AT&T claims is the first of its kind.
“We’ve answered the call from our business customers around the world who, because of expanding responsibilities and frequent travel, need remote access to some of the most powerful AT&T BusinessDirect features,” said Robert Sloan, the company’s vice president of esales and service.
The announcement underscores the growing number of companies looking to wireless to extend their core business offerings. Financial institutions, shipping companies and others are building consumer-friendly WAP sites in an effort to meet the needs of on-the-go customers.
AT&T said it plans to add mobile functionality to other BusinessDirect services in coming months.