RIM Previews BlackBerry Client for IBM Lotus Connections

At Lotusphere 2008, Research In Motion (RIM) previewed its BlackBerry Client for IBM Lotus Connections -- a new software application that runs natively on BlackBerry smartphones to provide mobile users with access to Lotus Connections social software for business. The BlackBerry client application leverages the push-based architecture, security and administration features of BlackBerry Enterprise Server, which provides IT groups with the necessary controls for enabling mobile access to Lotus Connections in the enterprise.

Users can enjoy many of the same benefits and functionality found on the desktop version of Lotus Connections directly from their BlackBerry smartphone, including the ability to collaborate on projects with teammates, locate internal subject matter experts by name or topic, as well as effortlessly share information and research to improve decision making.

"Organizations are embracing social networking tools to improve productivity and enable workers to find the experts and information within their organizations that can help them get their jobs done more effectively," said Mike Lazaridis, president and co-CEO at RIM. "Lotus Connections, which facilitates the gathering and exchange of information through professional networks, is a natural fit with the BlackBerry platform. We are very pleased to introduce the first mobile software application to leverage this exciting new social software for business."

"The challenges of globalization are forcing companies to become more nimble, using an increasingly geographically-dispersed and virtual workforce to remain competitive," said Jeff Schick, vice president of social software, IBM Lotus. "Together with RIM we are excited to be delivering the industry's business-ready social software on the BlackBerry platform."

KW