By I suppose RIM is putting a stake into the ground for the future of mobile business with this move. They have introduced Blackberry Fusion, a suite of security tools for Android (and iOS) devices that gives IT administrators and managers a way to secure and manage employee devices from an abstract web console. Here are the list of features IT departments can look forward to:
- Asset management
- Configuration management
- Security and policy definition and management
- Secure and protect lost or stolen devices (remote lock, wipe)
- User- and group-based administration
- Multiple device per user capable
- Application and software management
- Connectivity management (Wi-Fi, VPN, certificate)
- High scalability
It’s an odd move for RIM who still sees dominance as the #1 platform for businesses, though with Android and iOS quickly on the rise in enterprise they feel they need to act accordingly. We can’t say whether or not this shows they’re afraid for their future in business, but even if they’re not it still servers as a nice security net for them.
If Android, iOS and other platforms do indeed take over enterprise RIM will need to rely on people adopting this and other services to continue making the money that helps keep their lights on. As they’re already heavily declining in the consumer market, a dying role in enterprise may force their hand in switching to an entirely different business model altogether.
In any case, it would appear that this move would be counterproductive to RIM’s goals. They want to remain relevant in hardware and software in the enterprise world and the main reason they still are is due to the security that BES and BIS provide.
If they provide similar security for competing OEMs and software vendors then it may be the window businesses were looking for to switch to different platforms. It’s an interesting desire for RIM, but one we’re excited to see play out. All of this is said to begin in Q1’12. [via GigaOM]
they can’t even get software out for their own devices quickly (PlayBook), yet they plan to for other makers devices?
Sweet! I currently have to carry two phones – a blackberry just for my work’s bes crap and my personal android device which they partially reimburse me for. I’d much rather have access to enterprise on the android phone.
This signals that RIM has opted for the slow decline, rather than the fast one. This is an effort to convince some enterprises to stick with BES, even as their users flock to Android devices and iPhones. That’s preferable to watching them dump it altogether, I guess.
Good on RIM for finally recognizing the grim reality facing them.
I don’t know what is odd about this, it makes perfect sense to me. Maybe I am wrong, but it seems BlackBerry OS cannot compete with Android/IOS anymore so it seems logical to move to these operating systems.
I don’t see why this would mean they would have to get out of the hardware business though, with the customizability of Android, it seems like they could release phones based off Android with this “Fusion Suite” integrated in them relatively easily.
Seems like lots of people would love a device made by RIM which runs Android with an extra focus on security, etc.
I wish android would just buy out Blackberry and het it over with…I think these 2 teamed together could really do big things
Whats the one thing RIM is know for when it comes to their OS? Security.The rest is PG (pure garbage). Android is quickly catching up to make its enterprise-friendly for corporate amd in a few years RIM will be out of business. Rim simply became complacent when it was #1 and focused on security security, while the rest of its ecosystem did not changed that much. Look at their stupid OS 7 its so buggy to use.
Sounds like they’ve finally decided to change their dead business model. About time!!!
BBM would be nice. (y)