Hoping to grab market share from its rivals, mobile platform maker Good Technologies Tuesday aligned itself closer to Microsoft, while updating its GoodLink platform.

The Sunnyvale, Calif.-based startup said it is again working with the Redmond, Wash.-based software giant to let customers get access to their Windows applications using a Good G100, the Treo 600 or a Pocket PC device. The two companies have worked together before on a backend solution: GoodLink and GoodInfo support for Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 and its ActiveSync environment.

Microsoft said the enhanced relationship gives Good/Windows users an e-mail experience similar to that of accessing Microsoft Exchange on the desktop, as well as the ability to view native, rich attachments on Pocket PCs, including Pocket Word and Excel files.

"A lot of business takes place in short bursts between phone calls and meetings," Sue Forbes, Good's vice president of marketing and product management, said in a statement. "By leveraging GoodLink's integration with the broad range of devices and applications available for Windows Mobile, users can access the information they need to respond to a request, schedule a meeting, check a price, view a fax or give a presentation."

In concert with the Windows alliance, Good updated its GoodLink platform to version 3.0. Analysts say the improvements bring Good up to speed in security, user interface, attachment handling and management areas. The upgrade also is designed to address the growing number of smartphones on 2.5G networks. But more than an upgrade and a partnership, Good's progress is taking the wind out of the sails of chief rival Research In Motion (RIM).