Blackberry 2000 Annual Report Download - page 7

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Extensibility of our handhelds is important to many
corporate buyers. For this reason we are working closely
with Sun Microsystems to implement their Java™ 2
Micro Edition (J2ME) technology with all RIM handhelds.
The introduction of J2ME compatibility opens up a new,
cross-platform development environment for solution
providers. Compatible with Java on the Internet, this
system will allow programs to be written in J2ME for
use on all handhelds, regardless of form factor or
service provider.
Since 1994, RIM has been driven to deliver on the
vision of a wireless wallet. By working with major
financial institutions and the security industry leaders,
RIM has a unique position in the emerging mobile
commerce and eCommerce markets. Beyond wireless stock
trading, which has been possible with RIM technology
since 1997, mobile commerce takes advantage of advances
in supply-chain economics and consumer access to
information via the Internet. A continuously connected
wireless Internet appliance opens new distribution and
partnership opportunities for RIM.
Focus for Fiscal 2001
Last year, we identified our critical focus areas as
1) catalyzing market demand and 2) executing RIM’s
business plan. We demonstrated success in these areas
in the past year and strive to continue focusing on
these fundamentals.
The success of BlackBerry and of our network partners
provided direct and positive feedback on the strong
market demand for RIM’s products and services. Broad
expansion of our distribution channels is expected to
quickly accelerate market awareness and penetration. New
branding programs for BlackBerry were started late in
the first quarter of fiscal 2001 to further build product
awareness in the marketplace. Finally, we are encouraging
the development of new third-party software applications
such as mobile commerce, which are expected to
drive demand for wireless technology beyond the pure
email market.
Major progress was made in the areas of new product
and technology development; manufacturing capability;
human resources; customer support; and management
information systems infrastructures. We continue to strive
for improvements in each of these areas.
There are several specific goals for fiscal 2001:
•Substantially increase the BlackBerry user base. We
are focused on increasing the number of individuals
and companies using BlackBerry as well as brand
awareness and points of distribution.
•Deliver BlackBerry Notes Edition™ to expand
the corporate user base for BlackBerry in
North America.
•Complete development work on Java to enable a
broad third-party development community for
software applications to run on RIM’s products.
We believe that additional applications and services
such as mobile eCommerce will stimulate additional
demand.
•Develop next generation wireless devices and enter
new international markets. New wireless data
networks will be brought into operation in Europe
and RIM is positioned to be a primary supplier
of products and applications for these emerging
networks.
RIM’s employees, management and directors thank you
for your support during the past year and look forward to
continued success in fiscal 2001.
Yours sincerely,
Mike Lazaridis Jim Balsillie
President & Co-Chief Chairman & Co-Chief
Executive Officer Executive Officer
May 31, 2000