Showing posts with label BlackBerry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BlackBerry. Show all posts

Thursday, May 8, 2014

BlackBerry:Lowest TCO Multi-Platform Enterprise Mobility Management Solution

BlackBerry Limited (NASDAQ: BBRY; TSX), a world leader in mobile communication, today announced that BlackBerry® Enterprise Service 10 (BES10) is the most cost effective multi-platform enterprise mobility management solution, according to a report by the global market research firm Strategy Analytics.

“Our detailed report found that the pricing offered by BES10 creates a lowest-cost migration path from a TCO perspective”, said Andrew Brown, Executive Director, Enterprise Research at Strategy Analytics. “We attribute this to multiple factors, including the Enterprise Server License Trade-up program, the impact of BlackBerry Software Assurance across its Advanced and Premium support categories, and new tiered support categories.”

The Strategy Analytics report, “Enterprise Mobility Management: A review of Total Cost of Ownership,”[1] found that BES10 is the lowest cost Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) solution based on a five year total cost of ownership (TCO). Migrating from BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5 (BES5) to a BlackBerry competitor is, on average, more than double the cost over 5 years than migrating from BES5 to BES10. The Strategy Analytics report went on to note that the “all inclusive” nature of the BlackBerry offering provides a tangible cost advantage which is then sustained throughout the TCO period.

“BlackBerry customers consistently tell us that cost, coupled with world-class security, is a top priority when choosing a multi-platform mobility management partner,” said John Sims, President, Global Enterprise Solutions, BlackBerry. “The report exemplifies why BlackBerry is the only company that can support the full range of EMM requirements, from the most secure to the most open BYOD environments. Customers also recognize the additional security provided from our global NOC infrastructure. No other company has this range of capabilities and we will work diligently to earn the trust of enterprise customers globally.”

Strategy Analytics analyzed the TCO of each solution and took into consideration multiple cost drivers, implementation, support and payment scenarios for enterprises migrating from BES5 to BES10 or to other mobility management platforms, as well as enterprises adopting an EMM solution for the first time. Based on the report, BlackBerry ranked the strongest in these categories:

·         Lowest TCO for commercial EMM deployments: BlackBerry offers an implementation and service package that is substantially cheaper than any of its competitors for the EMM package. (See Figure 1)

·         Lowest TCO for EMM deployments in regulated and high-security environments: Even in a fully regulated environment where BlackBerry offers the highest form of security, it also proves to be the lowest cost solution based on a 5 year TCO.

·         Highest security: CIOs and IT decision makers listed BlackBerry as the most secure solution. The report concluded that competitors do not offer the same level of IT policies and compliance controls as BlackBerry and cannot deliver a similar end-to-end security model.

·         Scope of EMM capabilities: BES10 offers the most comprehensive set of capabilities for the broadest range of customers, including regulated, enterprise and SMBs. (See Figure 2)


BlackBerry EZ Pass Migration Program Gains Momentum

Customers are realizing the benefits and cost savings of the recently launched BlackBerry program, which provides free license migration and support for BlackBerry customers to move from BES5 and other MDM platforms to BES10.

Since the program launched on March 31, 2014, more than 800,000 BES10 client access licenses have been issued to customers worldwide. The enterprises participating in the program represent a cross-section of industries from financial services and healthcare, to telecommunications and government organizations. Migrations to BES10 include customers using other MDM vendors such as AirWatch, MobileIron and Good Technology.

The BlackBerry EZ Pass migration program is designed to help customers take full advantage of the BES10 multi-platform solution by seamlessly migrating from BES5 and includes access to BlackBerry’s technical support services.

Monday, September 23, 2013

BlackBerry Enters into Letter of Intent with Consortium led by Fairfax Financial

  • BlackBerry shareholders would receive U.S. $9 per share in cash 
  • Transaction valued at approximately U.S. $4.7 billion  
  • Consortium permitted 6 weeks to conduct due diligenc 
  • BlackBerry entitled to go-shop during due diligence period, subject to payment of a termination fee in the event alternative offer accepted

BlackBerry Enters into Letter of Intent with Consortium led by Fairfax Financial
BlackBerry Limited (NASDAQ:BBRY; TSX:BB) today announced it has signed a letter of intent agreement (“LOI”) under which a consortium to be led by Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (“Fairfax”) has offered to acquire the company subject to due diligence.

The letter of intent contemplates a transaction in which BlackBerry shareholders would receive U.S. $9 in cash for each share of BlackBerry share they hold, in a transaction valued at approximately U.S. $4.7 billion. The consortium would acquire for cash all of the outstanding shares of BlackBerry not held by Fairfax. Fairfax, which owns approximately 10 percent of BlackBerry’s common shares, intends to contribute the shares of BlackBerry it currently holds into the transaction.

The BlackBerry Board of Directors, acting on the recommendation of a special committee of the board of directors (the “Special Committee”), approved the terms of the LOI under which the consortium, which is seeking financing from BofA Merrill Lynch and BMO Capital Markets, would acquire BlackBerry and take the company private subject to a number of conditions, including due diligence, negotiation and execution of a definitive agreement (the “Definitive Agreement”) and customary regulatory approvals.

The Special Committee, chaired by Director Tim Dattels, was formed in August 2013 to review strategic alternatives for the company. J.P. Morgan and Perella Weinberg are acting as financial advisors and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Torys LLP are acting as legal advisors.

Diligence is expected to be complete by November 4, 2013 (“Diligence Period”).  The parties’ intention is to negotiate and execute a definitive transaction agreement by such date.   During such period, BlackBerry is permitted to actively solicit, receive, evaluate and potentially enter into negotiations with parties that offer alternative proposals (“Alternative Transactions”).

If (A) during the Diligence Period (i) BlackBerry enters into any letter of intent or definitive agreement providing for an Alternative Transaction, (ii) BlackBerry ceases to negotiate

with the consortium in good faith with a view to entering into the Definitive Agreement by the end of the Diligence Period,  or (iii) an Alternative Transaction is publicly proposed or publicly announced and is consummated within 6 months following the end of the Diligence Period, or (B) during the 3 month period following the end of the Diligence Period, BlackBerry enters into any agreement providing for an Alternative Transaction with a person with whom discussions were held before or during the Diligence Period, then BlackBerry shall pay Fairfax a fee of U.S. $0.30 per BlackBerry share, provided, however, that no such fee shall be payable if the consortium shall have reduced the price offered below U.S. $9.00 per share without the approval of the board of directors of  BlackBerry.  In the event that a definitive agreement is signed with Fairfax the termination fee will increase to U.S. $ 0.50 per share.

Barbara Stymiest, Chair of BlackBerry’s Board of Directors, said: “The Special Committee is seeking the best available outcome for the Company's constituents, including for shareholders. Importantly, the go-shop process provides an opportunity to determine if there are alternatives superior to the present proposal from the Fairfax consortium.”

Prem Watsa, Chairman and CEO of Fairfax, said: “We believe this transaction will open an exciting new private chapter for BlackBerry, its customers, carriers and employees. We can deliver immediate value to shareholders, while we continue the execution of a long-term strategy in a private company with a focus on delivering superior and secure enterprise solutions to BlackBerry customers around the world.”

In addition to the consortium and its lenders being satisfied with all aspects of the due diligence to be carried out by them during the Diligence Period and the negotiation and execution of a binding definitive agreement approved by the board of BlackBerry, completion of the transaction will be subject to other customary conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals.  There can be no assurance that due diligence will be satisfactory, that financing will be obtained, that a definitive agreement will be entered into or that the transaction will be consummated.

BDT & Company, LLC, BofA Merrill Lynch and BMO Capital Markets are acting as financial advisors, and Shearman & Sterling LLP and McCarthy Tétrault LLP are acting as legal advisors to Fairfax in connection with the transaction.

About BlackBerry
A global leader in wireless innovation, BlackBerry® revolutionized the mobile industry when it was introduced in 1999. Today, BlackBerry aims to inspire the success of our millions of customers around the world by continuously pushing the boundaries of mobile experiences. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, BlackBerry operates offices in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. BlackBerry is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ: BBRY) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BB). For more information, visit www.blackberry.com.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

WeChat Gives BlackBerry Users a New Way to Connect

WeChat Gives BlackBerry Users a New Way to Connect
WeChat, a leading innovative mobile social communication application, today announced the launch of WeChat for the new BlackBerry® 10 OS platform.  Designed for the re-invented and re-engineered BlackBerry 10 OS platform, WeChat for BlackBerry 10 integrates with BlackBerry Hub providing a seamless user experience. Free to download, the app allows users to text each other, swap voice messages with its “Hold to Talk” feature, and share images.  Included in WeChat for BlackBerry 10 are animated emoticons and the location-based service to meet and find new friends.

WeChat also comes with comprehensive privacy setting functions, enabling users to adjust their security levels as needed. With the introduction of WeChat on BlackBerry 10, WeChat further extends its reach to business users and consumers and demonstrate its commitment to provide a new and innovative way to communicate. With over 100 million registered user accounts worldwide, WeChat is the most downloaded mobile social app in many markets.

WeChat for BlackBerry 10 is now available on BlackBerry® Z10, BlackBerry® Q10 and BlackBerry® Q5 smartphones and can be downloaded for free on BlackBerry® World.


About WeChat
WeChat is an innovative mobile social communications application designed for Smartphone users.  WeChat is free for download from app stores running on Android, BlackBerry, iOS, Symbian and Windows Phone operating systems*.  With over 100 million registered user accounts worldwide, it is the most downloaded mobile social app in many markets.

WeChat users can add friends via a wide range of innovative actions and methods, including scanning QR codes, connecting users’ phone books and activating location-based functions such as "Hold Together”, “People Nearby” and “Shake”.  The platform enhances social interaction by supporting exchanging of text, voice and video, stickers, and photos with their friends over data networks or under Wi-Fi environments.  Users can choose to communicate one-on-one, or within their closed social network through “Moments”.

WeChat also comes with comprehensive privacy setting functions, which enables user to tailor their security level as needed.For more details and application download, please visit www.wechat.com

*Some features are limited to certain operating systems due to the product development cycle.