As an early stage company, one of Graphite Software’s main goals is to get its technology on as many devices as possible.
The Ottawa company took a huge step in that direction this week when it launched a partnership with Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi.
With the launch of Xiaomi’s MIUI 8 device Tuesday, Graphite Software’s Secure Spaces technology will now be deployed on more than 200 million devices in China.
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Secure Spaces takes the idea of desktop virtualization and brings it to the mobile device, said Rob Grapes, Graphite’s vice-president of marketing and operations.
“If I’m running work applications and I download a social media app or some nefarious game onto my device, it’s sharing the same memory and the same processing as my work apps and that’s a risk,” Mr. Grapes said.
Secure Spaces is a way many original equipment manufacturers believe they can differentiate their products and increase the “value proposition” to the consumer, he said.
Graphite began negotiations with Xiaomi began about 20 months ago. It worked with the Chinese company to integrate its technology with the smartphone maker’s various updates until Xiaomi was ready to launch the MIUI 8.
“What you now see is the culmination of all that hard work for Xiaomi to be able to deliver Spaces on all of their devices,” Mr. Grapes said.
Xiaomi is one of eight OEMs that have either released products using Secure Spaces or are currently integrating Graphite’s technology with their offerings. Mr. Grapes said the mayor’s trade mission there last November was an excellent opportunity for Graphite CEO Alec Main to make more contacts.
While on the trip, Graphite announced it was opening a Chinese office. The company also signed a memorandum of understanding with Beijing NationSky Network Technology and inked a deal with private equity investors ZVCA – all moves the Ottawa firm believes will help it achieve its goal of getting Secure Spaces on as many devices as possible.
More revenue streams will follow through direct sales, downloadable apps, advertising opportunities and other avenues, Mr. Grapes said.
“There are many different ways that we can monetize,” he said.
