Blackberry 2000 Annual Report Download - page 18

During the year, the Company assumed $6.7 million
of long-term debt on the acquisition of real property to
support the on-going operations. Mortgages, which are
secured by the land and buildings, bear an interest rate
of 6.75% .
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this management’s discussion and
analysis constitute “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. These include statements about
management’s expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies
for the future, which are indicated by words such as
“anticipate, intend, believe, estimate, forecast and expect”
and similar words. All forward-looking statements reflect
management’s current views with respect to future events
and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and
assumptions that have been made. Important factors that
could cause actual results, performance or achievements to
be materially different from those expressed or implied by
these forward-looking statements include:
•Continued acceptance of RIM’s products;
•Intense competition;
•Rapid technological change;
•Dependence on intellectual property rights;
•Risks relating to product defects and product liability;
•Risks relating to international operations;
And other risks detailed from time to time in RIM’s
periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and other regulatory authorities.
If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize,
or if assumptions underlying the forward-looking
statements prove incorrect, actual results could vary
materially from those that are expressed or implied by
these forward-looking statements.
Outlook
RIM intends to maintain and enhance its position as a
market leader in fiscal 2001. RIM believes that continued
growth will be realized by focusing sales and marketing
efforts to promote the unique functionality of the
BlackBerry solution, by enhancing strategic alliances and
relationships and through the support of third party
development of software applications. In addition, RIM
intends to maintain its technology leadership by continuing
to invest in research and development and by expanding
manufacturing capabilities.
RIM expects to further broaden exposure and market
awareness of the BlackBerry brand through the continued
development of direct sales and marketing teams. In
addition, RIM intends to work closely with its strategic
partners, network operators, computer manufacturers and
distributors, Internet service providers and value-added
resellers to expand BlackBerry distribution and sales
channels in North America and internationally.
Third-party applications continue to drive demand
and expand functionality for RIM’s products and services.
RIM expects to enhance software development tools,
provide technical support and accommodate external
software developers to promote the further development
of software applications. RIM is working closely with
Sun Microsystems to implement Java 2 Micro Edition
technology to aid third party software development.
Research and development remains an integral part of
the Company’s long term growth outlook. RIM believes
that the functionality of the BlackBerry solution can be
further enhanced for both corporate and retail customers.
RIM expects to focus on improving and enhancing the
BlackBerry service as well as developing additional
BlackBerry applications. RIM also intends to develop for
next-generation wireless technologies and new wireless
handheld products.
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations continued