Blackberry 1999 Annual Report Download - page 15

MOBILE WORKERS SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS
More than ever, mobile workers are searching for solutions that will give
them fast, easy access to their email even when they are away from the
office. However, mobile email access has been a longstanding challenge
for both users and MIS departments.
Market research on mobile email revealed common user complaints
about dial-in solutions – the inconvenience of lugging a laptop just for
email, the difficulty of finding a connection and dialing out of hotels, and
the difficulty negotiating the corporate dial-in security. IT managers also
voice displeasure with these solutions. The challenge of managing modem
banks and Remote Access servers and the risk of opening an inbound
path into the corporate network topped their list of concerns. Supporting
dial-up PDAs is seen by many as too risky because of the lack of security
software available for the PDA end of the connection.
BlackBerry
With this background in mind, RIM’s objective with BlackBerry was to
create the first complete solution for accessing corporate email and PIM
from a single handheld.
BlackBerry is the first complete, wireless email solution designed
specifically for corporate environments using Microsoft Exchange. In
addition to simplifying remote email access, it addresses crucial corporate
requirements regarding performance, reliability, security, functionality
and support. BlackBerry combines industry-leading wireless device
technology, innovative software and advanced wireless networks to
deliver a major breakthrough in mobility.
The user benefits from a complete solution with a simple, flat-rate
monthly bill and a single point of contact for support on all aspects of the
mobile email solution – including desktop software, handheld, billing, and
the wireless network. IT departments benefit since they do not have to
piece together a solution for their mobile users and are given a secure,
easy-to-support, complete solution. BlackBerry features an innovation in
mobile email connectivity and a breakthrough in handheld technology.
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“I think this is an amazing
device. I’ve been using it for
a week and couldn’t wait
to tell you about it. As a
matter of fact, I don’t
know what I’ll do without it
when I have to send it back.
The BlackBerry
combines your email account
at work (or at home) with
a two-way beeper. Its usability
is just sublime.”
– MSNBC, March 26, 1999