Blackberry 2014 Annual Report Download - page 16

8
provides a single console for managing BlackBerry devices and devices running Google Android and Apple iOS
operating systems;
• Launched the BlackBerry 10 Ready program to help enterprise customers prepare their environments for
BlackBerry 10;
• Launched BBM Voice, a free update that allows customers to make free voice calls to other BBM customers over a
Wi-Fi connection;
• Received Federal Information Processing Standard 140-2 certification for the BlackBerry 10 platform in November
2012;
• Built momentum in the developer community through 44 BlackBerry Jam sessions in 37 countries, attracting more
than 9,300 attendees;
• Commenced the CORE program, which drove and continues to drive significant improvements and efficiencies
across all functions in the Company’s organization;
• Surpassed the CORE objective of reducing operating costs by $1 billion compared to the Q4 fiscal 2012 run rate,
one quarter ahead of initial targets;
• Selected by EnStream, a joint venture of Bell Mobility Inc., Rogers Wireless Partnership and TELUS
Communications Company, to provide its Secure Element Manager (“SEM”) solution to manage credentials on
wireless handsets in Canada that support NFC Service. NFC is the technology that can make secure, convenient and
contactless mobile payments a reality for Canadian wireless handset users. BlackBerry’s SEM solution is designed
to securely manage credentials on subscriber identity module cards installed in all types of mobile devices,
including BlackBerry smartphones, Android devices and Windows phones;
• Launched affordable new BlackBerry 7 smartphones (the BlackBerry Curve 9300 series) for customers in several
markets, including the U.S., Vietnam, Singapore, Kenya, Nigeria, Malaysia, South Africa, the Caribbean region,
Latin America, India, the Philippines and Indonesia;
• Launched the BlackBerry Partners for enterprise portal to support independent software vendors, system integrators,
application hosters, professional services organizations as well as corporate developers looking to enable or deploy
BlackBerry 10 applications and services for enterprise customers;
• Launched the 4G LTE BlackBerry PlayBook tablet with built-in support for cellular networks in August;
• Appointed Kristian Tear as Chief Operating Officer, Frank Boulben as Chief Marketing Officer and Steve
Zipperstein as Chief Legal Officer; and
• Announced that three new members joined the Board: Timothy Dattels, Richard “Dick” Lynch and Bert Nordberg.
Fiscal 2012:
• Introduced the BlackBerry 7 portfolio, a new line up of smartphones running the BlackBerry 7 OS;
• Introduced NFC technology to several models of BlackBerry smartphones, enabling BlackBerry smartphones to
receive information and link to other NFC-enabled devices or BlackBerry Authentic Accessories;
• Introduced the cost optimization program designed to eliminate redundancies and reallocate resources to focus on
areas that offer the highest growth opportunities and alignment with the Company’s strategic objectives (the “Cost
Optimization Program”);
• Successfully bid for the patent portfolio of Nortel Networks Corporation as a part of a consortium of companies,
making a strategic investment of approximately $779 million in order to significantly strengthen the Company’s
technology platform;
• Enhanced the BlackBerry developer platform, and exceeded two billion BlackBerry World™ application
downloads;
• Grew the global BBM user base to approximately 55 million active users with more than 325 socially connected
BlackBerry applications having been downloaded close to 60 million times, as of March 3, 2012. The Company also
launched BBM Music, a social music sharing and discovery service;
• Launched the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet and, later in fiscal 2012, launched BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, a free
software upgrade for BlackBerry PlayBook tablet users that includes new features to enhance productivity and
communications, including built-in email, calendar and contacts intended to deliver a socially connected BlackBerry
experience;
• Announced BES 10, the next generation enterprise mobile device management solution for BlackBerry, Android
and iOS smartphones and tablets;
• Introduced BlackBerry Balance technology with BES 10, BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry Enterprise
Server Express, allowing enterprise users to carry one device and view both work and personal information in an
integrated way while keeping the content separate and secure;
• Launched new cloud services for small businesses with the BlackBerry Management Centre and enterprises with the
BlackBerry Business Cloud Services for Microsoft Office 365;
Table of Contents