Commtag (http://www.commtag.com/), the always-op mobile email start-up, is to have a new owner. Step forward, Smartner Information Systems (http://www.smartner.com/), of Finland, which is to wrap Commtag's Duality Always-On Mail technology into its mobile office suite, Office Extender.

Terms are not disclosed (http://www.commtag.com/about/press/20030430/), and Commtag's VCs will have to wait a while yet for a clean exit, as the transaction is entirely share-based. Unless there's a big upside in Smartner equity, the VCs look like they're taking a bit of a bath. Our understanding is that the deal values Commtag at €1.3m, somewhat less than the $5m or so sunk into the business to date.

Smartner claims Vodafone Ireland and Swisscom among clients for Office Extender (http://www.smartner.com/products/office_extender.html). This product "enables real-time access to office systems with practically any mobile device available". ®