Wireless wonder

Wireless technology development has helped businesses shed their cords and become completely mobile. And with that technology has come the need for practical applications and software that make them more than just expensive toys.

That’s where Mirifex Systems comes in.

The Strongsville-based business and technology consulting firm is on the forefront of BlackBerry wireless software production and design. Last year, Flight Options, a Cleveland-based fractional jet ownership company, approached Mirifex and asked it to develop an application for use with wireless devices that would streamline tasks such as fueling, maintenance and scheduling for its planes.

“Flight Options was outstripping the processes that worked for them when they were little,” says Mirifex president and CEO Bill Nemeth.

So Nemeth and his team designed a prototype and introduced it to Flight Options. The Wireless Operations Gateway (WOG) was an instant success.

“We knew it was going to be an almost epidemic-type spreading,” of the product within the company, says Nemeth. And so it was.

WOG had an immediate impact on Flight Options’ productivity. It reduced call load, leading to a savings of 17 percent on Flight Options’ phone bill. It allowed pilots to receive their flight itineraries at the touch of a button. And it streamlined and made more accessible everything from fuel and maintenance to flight times.

Today, WOG is in its sixth version. Pilots, ground crews and other Flight Options employees regularly approach Mirifex with new needs for their BlackBerry devices, and Mirifex can deliver a new application in less than a week. Newly updated versions of the applications are sent out to the devices from a central location, updating all of them in real time.

For Mirifex, the impact of the application’s success has been tremendous.

“It has led to 10 to 20 new clients, and we are getting known around the (wireless) carriers like Verizon and others,” says Nemeth. “It’s helped move our name and product, but also has been putting us in front of businesspeople.

“The technology can transcend different business practices, and we have been seeing it being used in transportation logistics, distribution and even banking. We’ve made them (companies) more productive and have helped them greatly improve customer service.” How to reach: Mirifex, (440) 891-1210 or www.mirifex.com