In my previous entry I talked primarily about Research In Motion and their eroding market share. I concluded that their smart phone platform was no longer an asset and that it might be wise for them focus on their current competitive advantages which from my perspective are security and infrastructure. Infrastructure in this case means their Blackberry Enterprise Server software which amongst other things provides a gateway between Microsoft's Exchange platform and Blackberry phones.
BES is a significant differentiator for RIM in the area of smartphones and tablets. Yesterday RIM announced that they are in the process of acquiring ubitexx, a company that owns technology that RIM will be able to use to rapidly add the capability to provide much of the functionality of BES to Android and iOS based devices.
RIM said the single web-based console is being designed to provide IT administrators with the ability to distribute software and manage policies, inventory, security and services for BlackBerry devices, as well as other mobile devices. IT administrators will be able to manage devices over-the-air, including activating devices, distributing software and applications, locking or wiping devices, enforcing and resetting device passwords, setting IT policies, and managing optional mobile applications for end users.
The snipped quoted above is from this article.
This is a smart move on RIM’s part. Many companies when faced with a similar scenario would have chosen to continue to support only their own products. From a business perspective this doesn’t always make sense, but internal loyalties and self-interest often run deep. While it is true that RIM is arguably undermining a competitive strength of their smartphone line by adding support for Android & iOS to BES they are also building on a strong product offering and providing themselves with an avenue for future revenue growth. They are essentially hedging their bets in case they continue to have difficulty competing in the smartphone market place.
Image via CrunchBase
Image via CrunchBase
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