Press Release
January 24, 2001
IBM to Offer BlackBerry Wireless Solution to Enterprise Customers
Somers, N.Y - Research In Motion® Limited (RIM®) (Nasdaq:RIMM; TSE: RIM) and IBM (NYSE: IBM) intend to join forces to provide RIM's BlackBerry™ integrated, wireless email solution to companies internationally, enabling mobile professionals to enjoy access to corporate email wherever they go.
Under the planned collaboration, IBM Global Services will add BlackBerry-based solutions to its portfolio of wireless solutions. In addition, IBM will establish a competency team with delivery capability for mobile enterprise systems, to focus on the integration of BlackBerry handhelds with enterprise email and intranet backend systems. The team will provide business consulting and design, as well as systems integration services.
"Customers today are asking IBM Global Services to help them extend their enterprise communications to the wireless world and to deliver complete mobile e-business solutions," said Dean Douglas, general manager, mobile e-business, IBM Global Services. "With this collaboration, we will be able to provide end-to-end services for a leading wireless email solution using BlackBerry with IBM's enterprise services."
"IBM Global Services has extensive experience providing full-service mobile solutions to the enterprise," said Jim Balsillie, chairman and co-CEO of RIM. "The combination of IBM's expertise and experience in enabling enterprise system for wireless combined with our very user-friendly technology creates the ideal corporate mobility solution."
The solution will provide companies with the flexibility and convenience to complete a variety of wireless enterprise activities, including reading and sending email, logging on to corporate intranets, updating calendars, and accessing automated sales tools.
Research In Motion Limited is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the mobile communications market. Through development and integration of hardware, software and services, RIM provides solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers around the world to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity. RIM's portfolio of award-winning products includes the RIM Wireless Handheld product line, the BlackBerry wireless email solution, wireless personal computer card adapters, embedded radio-modems and software development tools. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in Canada, the United States and England. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.net. Investors may contact investor_relations@rim.net. Customers may contact info@rim.net.
IBM Global Services is the world's largest information technology services provider, with 1999 revenues of more than $32 billion. Services is the fastest growing part of IBM, with more than 138,000 professionals serving customers in 160 countries. IBM Global Services integrates IBM's broad range of capabilities - services, hardware, software and research - to help companies of all sizes realize the full value of information technology. For more information visit www.ibm.com/services.
Research In Motion, RIM, and BlackBerry are trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. Research In Motion and RIM are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other companies and products listed herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks relating to possible product defects and product liability, risks related to international sales and potential foreign currency exchange fluctuations, continued acceptance of RIM's products, increased levels of competition, technological changes, dependence on intellectual property rights and other risks detailed from time to time in RIM's periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities.
