Q: What does OMS stand for?

A: OMS stands for Open Mobile Solutions.

Q: Who is behind Open Mobile Solutions?

A: Open Mobile Solutions was founded by Jai Jaisimha, former VP of Mobile Platforms at AOL and a 12+ year veteran of the mobile and embedded software space. While at AOL, Jai was responsible for leading AOL’s pioneering Open Mobile Platform open source initiative. Prior to AOL, Jai was VP of Product Development at mobile search and advertising pioneer, Medio Systems. While at Medio, Jai’s team built and delivered mobile search applications for Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Sprint and AT&T. Jai has also held development leadership roles at RealNetworks and Microsoft. He has a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington, Seattle.

Q: Why do you call the company "Open Mobile Solutions"?

A: Our mission is to serve the needs of app developers, brands and publishers who want to take advantage of the new wave of “Open-ness” sweeping the mobile ecosystem. With openness comes both challenges and opportunities. Open Mobile Solutions is all about helping people navigate the complexities of the mobile ecosystem and build a thriving mobile applications business.

Q: Why did you start Open Mobile Solutions?

A: We know how difficult it can be to formulate a mobile product plan, decide how you are going to implement it, find the right people/organizations to fill gaps in your organizational skill set, take products to market and last, but not least, make money in the mobile ecosystem. Open Mobile Solutions aims to change that. Whether you are new to the mobile space or a well-established mobile apps company looking for specialized resources or cost/time efficient new partners, Open Mobile Solutions connects you to the right resources.

Q: Which OSes do the developers on Open Mobile Solutions' bidded marketplace develop for?

A: Open Mobile Solutions was built to support the full range of available mobile application and mobile web platforms. Our current network of App Builders supports JavaME, Blackberry, Android, iPhone/ iPad, BREW, Symbian, Windows Phone/Mobile, Mobile Linux, WebOS and more!

Q: How much does Open Mobile Solutions cost?

A: The Open Mobile Solutions website is free for registered users.

Q: Why should I use Open Mobile Solutions?

A: You can find all the reasons we think you should use Open Mobile Solutions in the About Us section of this website.

Q: Can you help me with distribution of my mobile application?

A: Open Mobile Solutions works with a variety of mobile app stores, operators and OEMs, and we’re developing new services to distribute apps through these existing storefronts. If you need help, just ask!

Q: So you’re a marketplace? Does that mean you’re a mobile app store?

A: OMS is not an app store. We help App Creators and brands get ready to distribute their applications on the widest possible range of storefronts.

Q: I’ve heard that your founder was involved in the development of the AOL Open Mobile Platform. Does this mean that you’re going to favor this over other middleware that exists out there?

A: No. Although our App Builders have experience with OMP and use it when it makes sense, they are also free to and do also use other platforms and middleware.

Q: Are you a professional services company? Do you have your own mobile app developers I can work with?

A: Open Mobile Solutions helps you find the best App Builders (professional services companies) for your mobile development needs. We’ve built the best marketplace for buyers and sellers of mobile app development services to meet, connect and collaborate. To ensure that there is no conflict of interest on our bidded marketplace, OMS does not provide mobile development services directly.

Q: Are you the same company that was behind the OMS Developer Pitch Sessions at CTIA?

A: As an extension of our mission to provide App Creators with tools and answers to their burning questions, Open Mobile Solutions worked with CTIA to create a series of developer pitch sessions at the International CTIA Wireless 2010 show in Las Vegas, March 22-25, 2010. The pitch sessions attracted a great selection of panelists representing a wide range of companies that are key stakeholders in the mobile application ecosystem - Symbian Foundation, Qualcomm, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, Samsung, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Research in Motion and GetJar. Other panelists come from the advertising agency and venture capital worlds representing – Qualcomm Ventures, Benchmark Capital, Norwest Venture Partners, Seapoint Ventures, Madrona Ventures, Redpoint, Velti, Ansible Mobile, Mindshare and Razorfish. The OMS Developer Pitch Sessions also featured a great line-up of presenting App Creators whose businesses represent a wide range of business models, target consumer segments and mobile platforms, distribution plans, monetization strategies and stage of the business. The apps represented are – Soundtrckr, Mobisante, TextArrest, Nearbynow, Anttenna, Right Deal Right Now, Caregiver, Live Colony, Micello, Lumosity, Asurion Mobile Addressbook, Glympse, Rhythm New Media, Yap, Xtop, Fring, Flirtomatic, Pageonce, Snapfinger from Kudzu Interactive and Inrix Traffic.

Q: I know I need a mobile application and help developing it, but I'm not quite sure what kind of app I need. Can you recommend someone to help me with my mobile strategy?

A: Absolutely. The Open Mobile Solutions team would be happy to work with you to find the right partner to craft your mobile strategy.

Q: Who uses Open Mobile Solutions?

A: The Open Mobile Solutions marketplace has already been used by a variety of companies - startups, big and small, old and new, newcomers to mobile and entrenched players.

Q: If a project goes wrong, can I get my money back ?

A: Once Open Mobile Solutions connects you with an App Builder, we expect that you’ll enter into your own contractual arrangements with each other. OMS’s relationship with you is bound by our Terms of Service, which you accepted when you registered for an account that you can find links to at the bottom of every page on this site.

Q: Do you vet the App Builders that bid for work on Open Mobile Solutions? If so, how?

A: Open Mobile Solutions carefully screens all prospective App Builders using a multi-step process–to evaluate their technical capabilities, platform porting – understanding and expertise, customer relationship management, design skills, QA skills, development and testing process, mobile app portfolio and experience, other business inputs, feedback from other App Creatorsand other business references. OMS understands what it takes to find someone that can deliver great results. While every relationship between an App Builder and App Creator is unique, we do our best to ensure a successful outcome by carefully selecting the App Builders that are accepted to the Open Mobile Solutions network.

Q: Can I provide feedback on an App Builder I've worked with on Open Mobile Solutions? If so, how?

A: Detailed feedback from App Creators is an integral component of how our bidding engine connects you with the best resources to meet your needs. In the very near future, profiles of App Builders on the Open Mobile Solutions website will display feedback scores. When you complete a project with an App Builder, Open Mobile Solutions will reach out to you to collect your feedback on your experience.

Q: Why should I use Open Mobile Solutions to find mobile developers rather than using another bidded marketplace like eLance, eDesk, Hotgigs, etc. or online classifieds like Craigslist?

A: For one thing, you’ll never find someone to walk your dog, clean your house, update your Outlook calendar, answer your calls or fix your plumbing at Open Mobile Solutions. OMS is focused on one thing and only one thing – building great mobile experiences using application platforms and mobile web technologies. Our web user experience, our App Builders, our project creation wizards and everything else we do, reflect the fact that we have been living and breathing software on mobile devices for more than a decade. You won’t find this type of dedicated mobile experience on any other resource site. At OMS, you’ll always find great App Builders who’ve met our rigorous selection criteria. We’ve spent the time in the trenches learning what it takes to be successful so you don’t have to. You’ll sleep better knowing that you’re working with someone who has the right credentials for your project.

Q: I'm a company looking to hire a developer via Open Mobile Solutions. How can I ensure that the developer that I contract with will complete their work on-time and to budget?

A: Once Open Mobile Solutions connects you with an App Creator, we expect that you’ll contract with them directly. OMS’s relationship with you is bound by our Terms of Service, which you accepted when you registered for an account. that you can find links to at the bottom of every page on this site.

Q: How does Open Mobile Solutions make money?

A: Like most marketplaces that connect buyers and sellers, Open Mobile Solutions participates in the economics of the transactions that it facilitates. App Creators do not pay to use the service. App Builders who use Open Mobile Solutions find that it is very effective at bringing them new projects while reducing their costs of doing business and are hence willing to share these savings with Open Mobile Solutions. Because multiple App Builders compete for every project, you’ll find additional cost advantages by using the Open Mobile Solutions marketplace.

Q: In which countries does Open Mobile Solutions operate?

A: Open Mobile Solutions addresses the needs of App Creators in U.S. and Europe. We expect to launch in other markets in 2H 2010. Our network of App Creators comes from all over the world.

Q: Where is Open Mobile Solutions headquartered?

A: Open Mobile Solutions is headquartered in the Seattle area in Washington State.

Q: How long has Open Mobile Solutions been in business?

A: Open Mobile Solutions was founded in mid-2009, and our bidded marketplace launched into private beta in September 2009.

Q: Does Open Mobile Solutions have any success stories?

A: Check out a recent success story from the Symbian Foundation- http://www.symbian.org/news-and-media/2010/02/15/shaping-future-mobile. We’re working with a variety of other great companies whose projects are still in process, and we will be sharing some of their success stories very soon!

Q: Does Open Mobile Solutions process payment transactions between buyers and sellers of mobile developments services?

A: Not yet, but stay tuned for more news from us on this topic.