Connectivity the BlackBerry way

The buzz in the technology field a few years back was connectivity.

It’s still the main concern today but with a new twist – connectivity on the go.

Now people hanker to be connected, not while sitting in an airconditioned office or a sophisticated corporate boardroom, but while on the road – waiting at airport lounges, sitting in traffic, attending a conference, watching a trade show, traipsing in an island resort.

The ultimate need of the moment is for people, business executives in particular, to be connected to important information and communication while on the go or doing other things.

Here comes an award-winning platform that provides today’s mobile professionals with wireless access to e-mail, phone, SMS, corporate data, the Internet and a broad range of other business applications on a single hand-sized gadget – the BlackBerry 6720 wireless handheld.

Very soon, the BlackBerry platform, which will operate on Smart’s GSM/GPRS network, will be offered to enterprise clients with integrated wireless voice and data services.

"We are confident that this service will prove to be relevant and compelling, especially to mobile professionals whose lives depend on their e-mail," said Edgardo Bautista, head of business and product development of Smart Communication Inc., during the BlackBerry media briefing recently.

BlackBerry, for one, allows users to manage their e-mail while on the go. So one can read, compose, forward, reply, file or delete e-mails at their convenience.

BlackBerry also enables access to corporate data and enterprise information beyond e-mail through its own browser and software development tools. It works with Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes and features advanced security using Triple-DES encryption.

A variety of optional Internet services are likewise available for wireless access to information on the World Wide Web.

Unlike most personal digital assistants (PDAs) in the market, the BlackBerry wireless handhelds include an integrated phone that supports voice services, allowing people to place and receive phone calls. This is in addition to the standard features such as the personal organizer, which includes a calendar, address book, appointment and memo book and to-do list.

"Blackberry is an end-to-end solution," said Patrick Spence, director of Asia Pacific Research in Motion, who introduced the BlackBerry platform to the media.

Its totally integrated package includes software, hardware and services. The results, according to Spence, are enhanced productivity and improved responsiveness.

Its most important advantage though is connectivity. That is, constant connection to the wireless network. There is no need for an additional modem, phone or antenna. It also has a superior battery life, which can accommodate approximately four hours of talk time and 10 days of standby time.

"BlackBerry will become more powerful as Smart’s GSM/GPRS network now extends to more places all over the country," Bautista said.

"With our aggressive network rollout, we are going to more remote towns to provide wireless service. With GPRS roaming in 20 countries, Smart’s BlackBerry service will also work overseas," he added.

BlackBerry’s customers worldwide include Bear Stearns, Mentor Graphics, Nortel Networks, Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse, Descartes, Roche and Sterling Associates Ltd.

Wired gave it a "first class rating," while PC World called it the "best wireless communication device." InformationWeek said it "would recommend (Blackberry) to anyone who wants a mobile e-mail product."

According to Bautista, the experience of BlackBerry in other countries has shown an impact on return-on-investment and increased productivity due to delivery of time-sensitive information.

Here in the Philippines, companies that would most probably benefit from this award-winning platform are those in media, pharmaceuticals, banking, manufacturing and insurance, and other organizations with people on the field.