Socket Communications, has announced the availability of Enhanced Wi-Fi Companion (e-WFC), a software platform that adds robust, enterprise-class wireless connectivity to any business mobility device such as the Socket Mobile SoMo 650 handheld computer. With CCX certification, e-WFC greatly increases Wireless LAN (WLAN) security, mobility and overall network management.

The e-WFC software works in conjunction with the Socket Mobile Wi-Fi chipset that is used in the Socket Mobile SoMo 650 handheld computer, a Socket branded compact flash (CF) Wi-Fi card and is also offered as an OEM embedded module to other manufacturers of products requiring robust Wi-Fi connectivity. The e-WFC is available for purchase by Socket Mobile customers as an upgrade to their pre-existing Wi-Fi Companion software or as an orderable feature in their Socket Mobile handheld computer or CF card purchase.

The e-WFC software can be implemented on any Windows Mobile 5.0, Windows Mobile 6.0 and Windows CE 5.0 handheld devices using the Socket Mobile Compact Flash (CF) WLAN plug-in card. In addition, handheld OEM customers will be able to leverage CCX features by embedding Socket Mobile WLAN modules in their reference design and using e-WFC software.

With Cisco products in nearly two-thirds of enterprise wireless LAN, or Wi-Fi®, infrastructures today, most business organizations demand that the Wi-Fi radios in their mobile devices bear the Cisco Compatible seal, which is earned through the Cisco Compatible Extensions (CCX) program. The CCX specification defines the set of features needed for a Wi-Fi radio or a client device that uses Wi-Fi Radio, to be deemed "compatible" with a Cisco wireless LAN infrastructure. Although Cisco has published five versions of its CCX specifications, today a product can be certified only for the two most recent versions: Version 4 (V4) or V5. Socket Mobile has a unique advantage where both the Socket Go Wi-Fi! Module P700 and the client device Socket SoMo™ 650 handheld computer have achieved the Version 4 Certification.