BlackBerry Enhances Wireless Communications for SMBs
Written by Anonymous on 1:26 AMFor today’s mobile workforces, there is no substitute for the ability to stay in contact while on the road. The old adage, “time is money,” holds true today more than ever, especially given that meeting customer demands requires the ability to respond at all times, from anywhere.
Years ago, Research In Motion (RIM) solved the problem of mobility with the introduction of its BlackBerry (News - Alert) devices, which allow users to access their emails from anywhere through cellular networks.
Today, however, with the advances in technology and the enhanced features of popular email systems, like Microsoft (News - Alert) Exchange and Lotus Domino, simply being able to check email is not enough. Users now expect the same functionality on their mobile devices as they have become accustomed to on their desktops.
RIM already provided its BlackBerry Enterprise Server software to larger businesses, enabling integration with enterprise email systems, which is widely deployed by government entities and other large corporations worldwide. But with an industry-wide focus on the expansive SMB market, RIM soon realized it needed to offer a similar solution, scaled to meet the needs of smaller businesses as well.
So, it streamlined its existing software and developed its BlackBerry Professional Software, its wireless communication and collaboration solution that allows SMBs to integrate their BlackBerry devices with their Microsoft orIBM ( News - Alert) email platforms. The solution specifically targets businesses with up to 30 wireless users.
“Small and medium-sized organizations have many of the same business requirements for a mobility solution as larger enterprises, but they often require more streamlined administration features," said Carrie MacGillivray, Senior Analyst, SMB Markets: Mobility,IDC ( News - Alert). “It has become increasingly important for smaller companies to be able to easily and cost-effectively deploy and manage mobile technology solutions in order to remain competitive and responsive to customers.”
With BlackBerry Professional Software, SMBs can easily provide their mobile workers access to not only email, but also calendar features, Web applications, contact lists, notes, and more, without sacrificing business security. And they can do it with an in-house solution that is both cost effective and easy to deploy and manage.
The software can be installed on the same server as the email system, eliminating investment in additional servers and licenses, and supports both Microsoft and IBM’s Lotus applications, the leading business email systems today.
Because SMBs typically can ill afford the time it can take to install and manage complex communications software, BlackBerry Professional Software provides an automated assessment feature that suggests configuration settings, easing deployment. It also includes the BlackBerry Manager Interface, which places management tools, wizards, and quick links in a single location to enable customers to easily modify common functions, including adding or removing users and defining IT policies.
Also, because SMB security is no less critical to business success, RIM has incorporated the same security features it offers in its BlackBerry Enterprise Server. It also offers integration with any of the various third-party applications that have been developed for the BlackBerry platform through its BlackBerry MDS (Mobile Data System) Support.
With the features and flexibility of the software, RIM has effectively created a true enterprise class mobile communications solution that meets the needs of the SMB market — in terms of both cost and ease of use.
“Productivity and flexibility are obviously important for small and medium-sized businesses and we know that the majority of these businesses are interested in a wireless solution,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at RIM. “We specifically designed BlackBerry Professional Software to provide a more simplified and affordable solution for small and medium-sized businesses, while maintaining [enterprise level] performance, security, and control,”
With the popularity of BlackBerry devices, and the proven effectiveness of its enterprise solution, combined with the pure size of the SMB space, RIM should have little difficulty making its BlackBerry Professional Software a successful venture. In fact, mobile operators across the globe, includingVerizon ( News - Alert) Wireless and AT&T in the U.S., are already offering the software to its business customers in conjunction with a growing line of BlackBerry devices.
Erik Linask is Group Managing Editor of TMCnet, which brings news and compelling feature articles, podcasts, and videos to nearly 3,000,000 visitors each month. To see more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.
By Erik Linask
Years ago, Research In Motion (RIM) solved the problem of mobility with the introduction of its BlackBerry (News - Alert) devices, which allow users to access their emails from anywhere through cellular networks.
Today, however, with the advances in technology and the enhanced features of popular email systems, like Microsoft (News - Alert) Exchange and Lotus Domino, simply being able to check email is not enough. Users now expect the same functionality on their mobile devices as they have become accustomed to on their desktops.
RIM already provided its BlackBerry Enterprise Server software to larger businesses, enabling integration with enterprise email systems, which is widely deployed by government entities and other large corporations worldwide. But with an industry-wide focus on the expansive SMB market, RIM soon realized it needed to offer a similar solution, scaled to meet the needs of smaller businesses as well.
So, it streamlined its existing software and developed its BlackBerry Professional Software, its wireless communication and collaboration solution that allows SMBs to integrate their BlackBerry devices with their Microsoft orIBM ( News - Alert) email platforms. The solution specifically targets businesses with up to 30 wireless users.
“Small and medium-sized organizations have many of the same business requirements for a mobility solution as larger enterprises, but they often require more streamlined administration features," said Carrie MacGillivray, Senior Analyst, SMB Markets: Mobility,IDC ( News - Alert). “It has become increasingly important for smaller companies to be able to easily and cost-effectively deploy and manage mobile technology solutions in order to remain competitive and responsive to customers.”
With BlackBerry Professional Software, SMBs can easily provide their mobile workers access to not only email, but also calendar features, Web applications, contact lists, notes, and more, without sacrificing business security. And they can do it with an in-house solution that is both cost effective and easy to deploy and manage.
The software can be installed on the same server as the email system, eliminating investment in additional servers and licenses, and supports both Microsoft and IBM’s Lotus applications, the leading business email systems today.
Because SMBs typically can ill afford the time it can take to install and manage complex communications software, BlackBerry Professional Software provides an automated assessment feature that suggests configuration settings, easing deployment. It also includes the BlackBerry Manager Interface, which places management tools, wizards, and quick links in a single location to enable customers to easily modify common functions, including adding or removing users and defining IT policies.
Also, because SMB security is no less critical to business success, RIM has incorporated the same security features it offers in its BlackBerry Enterprise Server. It also offers integration with any of the various third-party applications that have been developed for the BlackBerry platform through its BlackBerry MDS (Mobile Data System) Support.
With the features and flexibility of the software, RIM has effectively created a true enterprise class mobile communications solution that meets the needs of the SMB market — in terms of both cost and ease of use.
“Productivity and flexibility are obviously important for small and medium-sized businesses and we know that the majority of these businesses are interested in a wireless solution,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at RIM. “We specifically designed BlackBerry Professional Software to provide a more simplified and affordable solution for small and medium-sized businesses, while maintaining [enterprise level] performance, security, and control,”
With the popularity of BlackBerry devices, and the proven effectiveness of its enterprise solution, combined with the pure size of the SMB space, RIM should have little difficulty making its BlackBerry Professional Software a successful venture. In fact, mobile operators across the globe, includingVerizon ( News - Alert) Wireless and AT&T in the U.S., are already offering the software to its business customers in conjunction with a growing line of BlackBerry devices.
Erik Linask is Group Managing Editor of TMCnet, which brings news and compelling feature articles, podcasts, and videos to nearly 3,000,000 visitors each month. To see more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.
By Erik Linask
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