• Netbiscuits' Device Context Service, now available through a cloud-delivered solution, helps companies deliver native-like experiences on the mobile web using HTML5 in combination with information and context for device, browser, network and user parameters

• A core part of Netbiscuits award-winning solution, provided for over 12 years for companies including eBay and Coca-Cola, Device and Context Service has been opened up for brands to access directly, through standard APIs or using Open Source frameworks like jQuery

London, UK - 25 February, 2013 - Netbiscuits, the global leader in software solutions for adaptive web development, today announced the launch of its Device and Context Service, enabling brands to seamlessly deliver a consistent mobile web with native app like experience to customers using HTML5.

Device Context Service is a cloud-based device detection and intelligence service. It combines device and server-side information to provide the most accurate and detailed profile of the connecting device, enabling more targeted content and the best possible customer experience.

The combination of device specific capabilities, contextual and user-related device information and HTML5 technology enables brands to deliver a mobile web experience comparable to native apps but one accessible to every user, regardless of device. Now Enterprises can build a Universal Web strategy that uses the same web application for PC to Smart Phone to Tablet yet delivering a customised presentation layer based on device information. This saves companies development time and cost, is more scalable and easier to manage content change while delivering a superior user experience customers and employees expect from mobile.

The enterprise-grade Device Context Service will play a key role in driving innovation on the mobile web, enabling the creation of next generation mobile websites and hybrid apps whilst accelerating the move towards a truly universal web.

"The consumerisation of IT means that customers and employees now have higher expectations than ever on application user experiences. Previously this was only possible with native apps based on proprietary device OS solutions. But this is not cost effective for large companies to build or manage across all the devices available. HTML5 is the standard enterprises are using to move away from native mobile apps but to truly deliver a native experience, you also need access to device information and context to ensure every customer receives a consistent yet bespoke to device capabilities web experience." Daniel Weisbeck, Chief Officer of Marketing and Product Strategy.

The Device Context Service functionality has been a core part of Netbiscuits' end-to-end offering for the last 12 years but with this release for the first time the platform has been opened up for direct access by brands via open web standards along with new features to simplify and speed up access to device information.

It is now accessible using any web framework employed by an enterprise. This dramatically reduces the speed of deployment for large scale mobile websites accessible to any device.

For every device connecting to a website or application, the service captures anonymous device-specific information based on fixed and now new dynamic parameters delivering contextual data of device capabilities and use at given points in time. This intelligence about device functionality, browser, OS, and user behaviour means mobile experiences are optimised for a user's device, leading to greater customer loyalty, higher conversion rates and increased revenue.

"The web today has become central to the customer relationship and brands have to adapt to continuously evolving demands. What was once an excellent experience has quickly become simply acceptable, and the plethora of devices used by a global, or even regional, customer base to connect with brands is growing at an exponential rate," said Weisbeck.

"Devices used to connect with brands are exploding globally so it is crucial brands provide a consistent experience across every device," says Nicholas McQuire, Vice President Mobile Enterprise Strategies Research at IDC. "Their customers expect nothing less and will be increasingly unforgiving of sub-standard experiences on mobile devices."

Research has shown that a poor user experience can have a significant impact on business performances, with even a one second increase in load time negatively affecting page views (-11%), customer satisfaction (-16%) and conversions (-7%)[1]. As a result, the ability to deliver content appropriate to both the device, such as a smartphone or feature phone, or even connection type and the amount of memory available, is vital in driving brand loyalty, transactions, and user uptake.

Delivering the Right Experience at the Right Time
Hosted on Netbiscuits' cloud platform, the Device Context Service is based on a comprehensive database of profiles for connected devices and use cases. This creates intelligent profiles to deliver the most appropriate presentation layer and content for every device, based on both the technical specifications of each device in addition to manual testing by Netbiscuits.

With simple integration with open standards at its core, the Device Context Service supports the most common web development tools, enabling fast and cost-effective development using existing in-house skills and assets. Device Context Service features include: jQuery plug-in; web services APIs, Java integration client; and an Apache module.

"The strategic and business benefits of a consistent user experience on mobile devices are clear, however the creation of native applications is neither a cost nor time effectively delivery method. As a result the mobile web is quickly becoming the primary medium via which people interact with brands," continued Weisbeck. "Brands need to recognise that customers engage with them using different methods at different times of day, with different context, and that these differences require an adapted experience. A one-size-fits-all approach is unacceptable and we will see any companies taking this approach to the mobile web simply fail to engage their customers."

To complement this new service, Netbiscuits also announced today the launch of a new image converter solution built with mobile in mind. The tool works seamlessly with the Device Context Service to identify exact media types supported by the given device, from simple image formats such as PNG and JPEG and seamlessly converts content from one source file to the appropriate format and size.

Additional Support for Web Payment Privacy
Netbiscuits has also announced today it has been certified as compliant to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Developed by the founding payment brands of the PCI Security Standards Council, this organisation helps facilitate the broad adoption of consistent data security. As a result, Netbiscuits ecommerce customers can continue to guarantee the safety and security of their customers' sensitive data to the highest standards.

[1] Source : http://mobithinking.com/mobile-marketing-tools/latest-mobile-stats

-ENDS-

About Netbiscuits
Netbiscuits is the global leader in software solutions for adaptive mobile web experiences used by brands worldwide. Netbiscuits solutions are powered by the cloud-based Netbiscuits Platform - tools that help to reduce cost, time and risk in developing mobile web applications to deliver a customised and superior mobile user experience across all mobile and connected devices. Netbiscuits hosts in excess of 300,000 mobile web apps and sites on their platform, and are supported by a comprehensive ecosystem of web infrastructure vendors and system integrators. Netbiscuits' cloud platform efficiently and securely delivers a tailored mobile web experience through industry leading testing and detection software and intuitive developer shortcuts to create and deploy rich features on both legacy mobile devices as well as the latest device and feature releases. Visit http://www.netbiscuits.com/