BlackBerry Limited is a Canadian multinational company specializing in enterprise software and the Internet. Originally known as Research In Motion (RIM) , which is best known by the general public as a former developer of BlackBerry smartphone brands, and tablets. This was transferred to software companies and service companies under CEO John S. Chen. Its products are used worldwide by businesses, automakers, and government agencies, and include AtHoc crisis communications platform, QNX real-time operating system, and BlackBerry UEM, endpoint management platform. BlackBerry was founded in 1984 as Research In Motion by Mike Lazaridis and Douglas Fregin. In 1992, Lazaridis hired Jim Balsillie, and Lazaridis and Balsillie served as co-CEO until January 22, 2012. In November 2013, John S. Chen took over the post of CEO. The initial strategy was to subcontract manufacturing to Foxconn, and focus on software technology. [7] Currently, its strategy includes forming licensing partnerships with device manufacturers such as TCL Communication, and bringing together BlackBerry software portfolios. [8]
Video BlackBerry Limited
History
1984-2001: The early years and growth
Research In Motion Limited was founded in March 1984 by Mike Lazaridis and Douglas Fregin. At the time, Lazaridis was an engineering student at Waterloo University while Fregin was an engineering student at Windsor University. In 1988, RIM became the first wireless data technology developer in North America and the first company outside Scandinavia to develop a connectivity product for Mobitex's wireless packet-switched data network. In 1990, RIM introduced the DigiSync Film KeyKode Reader. In 1991, RIM introduced the first Mobitex protocol converter. In 1992, RIM introduced the first Mobitex point-of-sale solution, a protocol converter box connected to existing point-of-sale terminal equipment to enable wireless communications. In 1993, RIM introduced RIMGate, the first general purpose Mobitex X.25 gateway. In the same year, RIM launched Ericsson Mobidem AT and an Intel wireless modem that contains RIM modem firmware. In 1994, RIM introduced Mobitex's first mobile sales terminal. In the same year, RIM received an Emmy Award for Technical Innovation and KPMG High Technology Award. In 1995, RIM introduced Freedom, the first PCMCIA Type II radio modem for Mobitex.
In 1995, RIM was financed by institutional investors and Canadian venture capital through private placements in private companies. Working Ventures Canadian Fund Inc. led the first round of effort with an investment of C $ 5,000,000 with the results used to complete the software development and RIM two-way device paging system. A total of C $ 30,000,000 in pre-IPO financing was raised by the company prior to its initial public offering on the Toronto Stock Exchange in January 1998 under the symbol RIM.
In 1996, RIM introduced Inter @ ctive Pager, the first two-way message pager, and an RIM 900 OEM radio modem. The company works with RAM Mobile Data and Ericsson to transform Ericsson's Mobitex wireless data network into a two-way paging and wireless e-mail network. Of great importance in this development was the launch of Inter @ ctive Pager 950, which began shipping in August 1998. About the size of a bar of soap, it competes with Skytel's two-way paging network developed by Motorola.
In 1999, RIM introduced the BlackBerry 850 pager. Named in relation to its key keyboard resemblance to blackberry fruit druplets, the device can receive push email from Microsoft Exchange Server using complementary server software, BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES). The introduction of BlackBerry set the stage for future enterprise-oriented products from companies, such as BlackBerry 957 in April 2000, the first BlackBerry smartphone. BlackBerry OS and BES platforms continue to enhance functionality - while S/MIME encryption and S/M support support helps BlackBerry devices get increased usage by governments and businesses. During the fiscal year 1999-2001, the total assets stated in RIM's balance sheet increased eightfold due to massive capacity expansion.
2001-2011: Global expansion and competition
RIM soon began introducing BlackBerry devices aimed at the consumer market as well, starting with the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 - the first BlackBerry phone to include multimedia features like a camera. The introduction of the Pearl series has been very successful, such as the Curve 8300 and Bold 9000 series. Extensive carrier partnerships fueled the rapid expansion of BlackBerry users globally both in corporate and consumer markets.
Despite the arrival of Apple's first iPhone in 2007, BlackBerry continued to experience unprecedented market share growth through 2011. The introduction of Apple's iPhone on AT & T's network in the fall of 2007 in the United States prompted RIM to produce its first touch-screen smartphone for a network that competes in 2008 - BlackBerry Storm. The Storm sold well but suffered from mixed reviews to poor and poor customer satisfaction. The iPhone originally lags behind the BlackBerry in both shipping and active users, due to the early head of RIM and the larger carrier distribution network. In the United States, BlackBerry's user base peaked at about 21 million users in the fall of 2010. That quarter, the company's global customer base reached 36 million users. When iPhone and Google Android accelerate growth in the United States, the BlackBerry began to switch to other smartphone platforms. Nevertheless, the overall BlackBerry line continues to enjoy success, driven by strong international growth. As of December 1, 2012, the company has 79 million BlackBerry users globally with just 9 million remaining in the United States.
Even as the company continues to grow worldwide, investors and media are becoming increasingly concerned about the company's ability to compete with devices from iOS and Android mobile operating systems. Analysts are also concerned about the strategic direction of the co-CEO management structure. In June 2014, CNN released an article citing BlackBerry as one of six threatened US-Canada brands.
After numerous attempts to improve the existing Java platform, the company made many acquisitions to help create a new, stronger BlackBerry platform, centered around QNX's recent real-time operating system. In March 2011, CEO of Research In Motion Ltd., Jim Balsillie, suggested during a conference call that "the launch of some powerful new BlackBerrys" (eventually released as BlackBerry 10) will be in early 2012. However, analysts "worry that promoting devices that mysterious, who should have changed the game too early might be detrimental to existing BlackBerry sales "(similar to the Osborne effect). The initial launch date is seen in retrospect as too ambitious, and hurts the credibility of the company at a time when existing aging products continue to lose market share.
On September 27, 2010, RIM announced the old rumored BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, the first product running on a new QNX platform known as the BlackBerry Tablet OS. BlackBerry Playbook was officially released to the US and Canadian consumers on April 19, 2011. Playbook criticized for being thrown into the market in incomplete state and sold poorly. After shipping 900,000 tablets during the first three quarters on the market, slow sales and inventory piles pushed the company to reduce prices and write down inventory value of $ 485 million.
Main Competition
The main competitor of BlackBerry is a smartphone running Android and Apple iPhone, with Microsoft Windows Phone platform emerging as a newer competitor. For several years, BlackBerry is the leading smartphone in many markets, especially the United States. The arrival of Apple's iPhone and then Google's Android platform led to a slowdown in BlackBerry growth and declining sales in several markets, notably the United States. This led to negative sentiment from media and analysts over the company's ability to continue as an independent company.
When the Apple iPhone was first introduced in 2007, it generated a lot of media attention, with many media calling it a "BlackBerry killer". While BlackBerry sales continue to grow, newer iPhones are growing at a faster rate and a 87 percent drop in BlackBerry stock prices between 2010 and 2013 is primarily attributed to the performance of iPhone handsets.
The first three models of the iPhone (introduced in 2007) generally lag behind the BlackBerry in sales, as RIM has a huge advantage in operator and enterprise support; However, Apple continues to gain market share. In October 2008, Apple briefly issued RIM in quarterly sales when it announced that it had sold 6.9 million iPhones to 6.1 million sold by RIM, comparing some of the overlap between companies. Although Apple's iPhone sales dropped to 4.3 million in the next quarter and RIM increased to 7.8 million, for some these investors showed signs of weakness. Apple's iPhone began selling more phones on a quarterly basis than BlackBerry in 2010, caused by the launch of the iPhone 4.
In the United States, BlackBerry peaked in September 2010, when nearly 22 million users, or 37% of the 58.7 million American smartphone users at the time, used BlackBerry. BlackBerry then began to decline in use in the United States, with an installed base Apple in the United States finally through the BlackBerry in April 2011. iPhone sales continue to accelerate, as well as the Smartphone market, while BlackBerry began to lose continuous users in the United States. In February 2016, only 1.59 million (0.8%) of the 198.9 million smartphone users in the United States run BlackBerry compared to 87.32 million (43.9%) on the iPhone.
Google's Android mobile operating system, runs on hardware by various manufacturers including Sony, Motorola, HTC, Samsung, LG and many others boost competition for BlackBerry. In January 2010, nearly 3 million (7.1%) of the 42.7 million smartphones used in the United States were running Android, compared to 18 million BlackBerry devices (43%). Within a year Android has passed the BlackBerry base installed in the United States. In February 2016, only 1.59 million (0.8%) of the 198.9 million smartphone users in the United States run BlackBerry compared to 104.82 million (52.7%) running Android.
While RIM's encrypted network safely appeals to corporate customers, their handsets are sometimes considered less attractive to consumers than the iPhone and Android smartphones. Developers often develop consumer applications for the platform and not BlackBerry. During 2010, even enterprise customers began to adopt BYOD policies due to employee feedback. The company also faces criticism that its hardware and operating systems are outdated and unattractive compared to the competition and the ability to roam worse.
2011-2015: Strategic changes and restructuring
Slowing growth prompted companies to lay off 2,000 employees in the summer of 2011. In September 2011, the company's BlackBerry Internet Service suffered massive blackouts, affecting millions of customers over the next few days. The blackout happened shamefully when Apple prepared to launch the iPhone 4S, which caused fears of mass defection from the platform.
Shortly after, in October 2011, RIM launched BBX, a new platform for future BlackBerry smartphones that will be based on the same QNX-based platform as Playbook. However, due to allegations of trademark infringement related to BBX's name, the platform changed its name to BlackBerry 10. The task proved daunting, with the company delaying the launch in December 2011 until some time in 2012. On January 22, 2012, Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie resigned as CEO company, giving control to executives Thorsten Heins. On March 29, 2012, the company reported its first net loss in a few years. Heins set about corporate restructuring tasks, including announcing plans to lay off 5,000 employees, replace multiple executives, and delay a new QNX-based operating system for phones ("BlackBerry 10") for the second time until January 2013.
BlackBerry 10
After much criticism and many delays, RIM officially launched BlackBerry 10 and two new smartphones based on platform, BlackBerry Z10 and Q10, on January 30, 2013. BlackBerry Z10, the first BlackBerry smartphone to run BlackBerry 10, debuted worldwide in January 2013, will be sold immediately in the UK with the following other countries. A marked departure from previous BlackBerry phones, the Z10 features a fully touch-based design, dual-core processor, and high-definition display. BlackBerry 10 has 70,000 apps available at launch, which the company hopes will increase to 100,000 when its device debuts in the United States. To support the launch, the company aired its first Super Bowl television commercials in the US and Canada during the Super Bowl XLVII. In discussing the decision to create a proprietary operating system instead of adopting an off-the-shelf platform like Android, Heins notes, "If you look at the ability of other suppliers to differentiate, there is little room for movement We take it seriously - but if you understand what a BlackBerry appointment is its user base, it's all about finishing the job Game, media, we have to be good at it, but we have to support the people who are in front of the game.time to consume and enjoy the content - if you stay true to the destination you have to build on that foundation, and if we want to serve that segment, we can not do that with an overly pleasant approach. "Chief Operating Officer Kristian Tear said" We want to regain our position as number one in the world ", while Chief Marketing Officer Frank Boulben proclaimed "This could be the biggest comeback in technology history is behind us. They do not want duopoly "(referring to Apple and Samsung).
During the launch of BlackBerry 10, the company also announced that it would change its public brand from Research In Motion to BlackBerry. Name changes are made to "put the BlackBerry brand in the center" of various corporate brands, and because customers in some markets "already know the company as a BlackBerry". While shareholder votes on the official name change for BlackBerry Limited will be held at the next annual general meeting, ticker symbols on TSX and NASDAQ are changed to BB and BBRY respectively on February 4, 2013.
On August 12, 2013, the company announced that it was open for purchase and declared in an official news release to Canadian securities administrators:
The board of directors of the company has established a special committee to explore strategic alternatives to increase value and scale up in order to accelerate the deployment of BlackBerry 10. These alternatives may include, possibly joint ventures, partnerships or strategic alliances, Company sales or other possible transactions.
Prem-Watsa/Fairfax Transactions
The CEO of Canada Retirement Planning Agency Mark Wiseman stated that he would consider investing in BlackBerry if the company becomes private. Also on August 12, 2013, premier shareholder Prem Watsa resigned from the board of directors of BlackBerry.
On September 20, 2013, the company announced it would lay off 4,500 staff and take a $ 1 billion operating loss. Three days later, the company announced that it had signed a letter of intent to be acquired by a consortium led by Prem Watsa's Fairfax Financial Holdings at a price of $ 9 per share. This agreement is also confirmed by Watsa.
On September 29, 2013, the company began operating a direct sales model for customers in the United States, where unlocked Q10 and Z10 smartphones are sold directly from the BlackBerry website. On October 15, 2013, the company publishes open letters in 30 publications in nine countries to convince customers that BlackBerry will continue to operate. Anthony Michael Sabino, business professor of St. John's University, stated at Washington Post :
"This is BlackBerry's last attempt to only survive in the face of a devastating competition in an essentially created marketplace."
John Chen Join BlackBerry
On November 4, 2013, the Fairfax Prem Watsa deal was canceled for a $ 1 billion cash injection which, according to one analyst, represents the level of confidence of BlackBerry's largest shareholder in the company. At the same time, BlackBerry installed John Chen as CEO to replace the dismissed Heins. According to Globe and Mail, BlackBerry's expectation is that Chen, with its reputation as a turnaround artist, can save the company.
"John Chen knows how to manage a cellular company, and perhaps most importantly, can make things happen in the industry," said lead analyst J. Gold Associates, Jack Gold.
"We have begun to move the company to embrace a multi-platform world, BYOD by adopting new mobility management platforms and new device strategies," Chen explained in an open letter published shortly after his appointment. "I believe in the value of this brand.With the right team and right strategy in place, I am confident that we will rebuild the BlackBerry for the benefit of all our constituents."
In April 2014, Chen spoke of his turnaround strategy in an interview with Reuters, explaining that he intends to invest or partner with other companies in regulated industries such as health care, finance, and law. He then clarified that the BlackBerry device division remains part of his strategy, and that his company also wants to invest in "emerging solutions such as machine-to-machine technology that will help strengthen the backbone of the Internet of Things." He then expanded this idea at the BlackBerry Security Summit in July 2014.
In May 2014, the cheap BlackBerry Z3 was introduced to the Indonesian market, where the brand was very popular. The budget handset is produced in partnership with Taiwanese manufacturer Foxconn Technology Group, which handles product design and distribution. The New York Times analysis states that the model is Chen's attempt to generate revenue when he tries to "shift organizational focus to services and software." An analyst from ABI Research London said: "John Chen only retained the handset business as he sorted the way forward." As part of the localization effort for Z3 promotion, the handset's back panel is engraved with the word "Jakarta", but skepticism still arises, as the handset is still more than twice as expensive as the Android model in Indonesia at the time of release.
2015-Now: Software Transition
In the first quarter of fiscal 2015, Chen stated: "This is, of course, the beginning of our task and we hope that we will be able to report better results in the future... We feel pretty good about where we are." Quartz reported that stocks rose 30 percent, compared with the same period in the previous year, while Chen expressed enthusiasm for releasing two new phones, both with keyboards and touch screens, in the second half. 2014. Chen does not provide sales figures for mobile phone Z3 in Indonesia.
In September 2015, Chen launched BlackBerry Priv, a keyboard-slider smartphone that utilizes the Android operating system with enhanced software developed by BlackBerry, including secure bootloaders, full disk encryption, integrity protection, and BlackBerry HUB.
Strategic Acquisitions
During this time, BlackBerry also expanded its software and service offerings with several major acquisitions. These include file security company WatchDox, AtHoc crisis communications leader, and EMM vendors competing for Good Technology. The products offered by these companies are gradually changing and integrated into BlackBerry's own portfolio.
Trefis, a team of analysts and Forbes contributor, calls Good "a good strategic match for the BlackBerry software business," noting that the acquisition will "help increase cross-platform BlackBerry EMM support and bring a relatively large and diverse customer base while also helping drive growth in additional revenue. "He also noted that the largest - acquisition in BlackBerry history - demonstrates the company's commitment to software-focused turnaround plans. It remains ambivalent about the overall prospects of the company.
In January 2016, Chen stated that BlackBerry is not planning on developing any new device running BlackBerry 10, and that the company will release two new Android devices at most during 2016. BlackBerry also announced the launch of Good Secure EMM Suites, incorporating WatchDox and Technology Products which is good into several tiered offerings in addition to the existing software.
Hardware Licensing License
BlackBerry announced DTEK50, a mid-range Android smartphone, on July 26, 2016. Unlike Priv, DTEK50 is a re-branded version of an existing smartphone, Alcatel Idol 4 manufactured by TCL Corporation, one of the company's hardware partners. It became the second last mobile phone developed at home on BlackBerry, followed by DTEK60 in October 2016 - on September 28, 2016, BlackBerry announced that it would stop the development of internal hardware to focus on software, delegate development, design, and device-making to partners third party.
The first of these partners is BB Merah Putih, a joint venture company in Indonesia. Chen stated that the company was "no longer just about smartphones, but smart on the phone". On December 15, 2016, BlackBerry announced that it has reached a long-term deal with TCL to continue producing BlackBerry-branded smartphones for sale outside of Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The partnership was followed by an agreement with Optiemus Infracom on February 6, 2017 to manufacture devices across India and neighboring markets including Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh.
Since the partnership was announced, TCL has released BlackBerry KeyONE and BB Merah Putih has released BlackBerry Aurora.
Cybersecurity Consulting
In February 2016, BlackBerry acquired a UK-based cybersecurity Encryption company, with the intention of opening a security consulting business. It then released BlackBerry SHIELD, an IT risk assessment program for its corporate clients. In April 2017, BlackBerry's cybersecurity division partnered with the Allied World Insurance Company, a global insurance and reinsurance provider. This agreement sees BlackBerry's SHIELD self-assessment tool integrated into the World Wide FrameWRX Alliance World Risk Management solution.
BlackBerry Secure
On December 8, 2016, BlackBerry announced the release of BlackBerry Secure. Billed as "a comprehensive mobile security platform for Enterprise of Things," BlackBerry Secure deepens the integration between the BlackBerry acquisition and its core portfolio. According to Forbes, it brings all BlackBerry products "under one umbrella."
On February 7, 2017, BlackBerry announced the creation of SDK Enterprise BBM, a Communication-Platform-as-a-Service development tool. Enterprise SDK allows developers to incorporate Enterprise BBM messaging functions into their applications. It was released to BlackBerry partners on February 21, 2017, and officially launched on June 12, 2017.
Also in February 2017, 451 Research analyst firm released a report on improving the financial position and focus of BlackBerry products. This report identifies BlackBerry's position on the Internet of Things and its device license strategy as a strength. The Enterprise BBR SDK is also highlighted, along with some of the challenges that companies are still facing.
Maps BlackBerry Limited
Financial
The number of active BlackBerry users has increased over time. For the fiscal period on which Apple iPhone was first released, RIM reported a user base of 10.5 million BlackBerry subscribers. At the end of 2008, when Google Android first entered the market, RIM reported that the number of BlackBerry subscribers has increased to 21 million.
In the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ending March 3, 2012, RIM shipped 11.1 million BlackBerry smartphones, down 21 percent from the previous quarter and it was the first drop in the quarter that includes Christmas since 2006. For the fourth quarter, RIM announced a net loss of US $ 125 million (the last loss before this occurred in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005). RIM lost its market share accelerated in 2011, due to increased sales of Samsung and HTC Android handsets; RIM's annual market share in the US dropped to just 3 percent, from 9 percent.
In the quarter ended June 28, 2012, RIM announced that the number of BlackBerry subscribers has reached 78 million globally. Furthermore, RIM reported its first quarter earnings for fiscal year 2013, showing that the company issued GAAP a net loss of US $ 518 million for the quarter, and announced plans to implement a cost savings initiative of 1 billion US dollars. The company also announced a new BlackBerry 10 OS delay until the first quarter of 2013.
After the release of Apple iPhone 5 in September 2012, RIM CEO Thorsten Heins announced that the number of global users reached up to 80 million, which sparked a 7% surge in stocks. On December 2, 2012, the company reported a revenue decrease of 5% from the previous quarter and 47% from the same period the previous year. The Company reported GAAP profit of US $ 14 million (adjusted net loss of US $ 115 million), which was an increase from the previous quarter. The company also increased its cash reserves to US $ 2.9 billion, a total that eventually increased to nearly US $ 600 million in the quarter. BlackBerry's global customer base declined slightly for the first time to 79 million, having peaked at an all-time high of 80 million the previous quarter.
In September 2013, the company announced that the growing BBM instant messaging service will be available for Android and iPhone devices. BlackBerry states that this service has 60 million monthly active customers who send and receive over 10 billion messages every day. The "BBM Channel" lift is expected by the end of 2013, in which conversations are facilitated between users and communities, based on factors like interests, brands and celebrities alike.
On September 28, 2013, media reports confirmed that the BlackBerry lost US $ 1.049 billion during the second fiscal quarter of 2013. After the defeat, Heins stated: "" We are very disappointed with this quarterly operational and financial results and have announced a series of major changes to address the environment competitive hardware and our cost structure. "
Between 2010 and 2013, the company's share price fell by 87 percent due to the widespread popularity of the iPhone. Goldman Sachs estimates that, as of June 2014, BlackBerry accounts for 1 percent of smartphone sales, compared with a peak of about 20 percent in 2009.
With the release of its financial results for the first fiscal quarter of 2015 in June 2014, Chen presented a more stable company that suffered a lower loss than the previous quarter. The New York Times describes "a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss", according to a June 19, 2014 news release:
Revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2015 was $ 966 million, down $ 10 million or 1% from $ 976 million in the previous quarter... During the first quarter, the Company recognized hardware revenues of about 1.6 million BlackBerry smartphones compared to about 1 , 3 million BlackBerry smartphones in the previous quarter.
Ian Austin from New York Times provides more clarity on BlackBerry news releases: "Accounting adjustments allow BlackBerry to report $ 23 million, or 4 cents per share, earnings for the last quarter. , the company lost $ 60 million, or 11 cents per share, during that period. "After the news release, Chen stated that BlackBerry was comfortable with its position, and understood that his plan for the company mainly involves business and government, not consumers.
Organizational change
Change of leadership
Companies are often criticized for their double CEO structure. Under the original organization, Mike Lazaridis oversees technical functions, while Jim Balsillie oversees the sales/marketing function. Some people see this setting as a dysfunctional management structure and believe RIM acts as two companies, slowing down efforts to release the new BlackBerry 10 operating system.
As of June 30, 2011, investors' encouragement for the company to split the dual-CEO structure was unexpectedly withdrawn after a deal was made with RIM. RIM announced that after discussion between the two groups, Northwest & amp; Ethical Investments will withdraw its shareholders' proposals before RIM's annual meeting.
On January 22, 2012, RIM announced that CEOs Balsillie and Lazaridis have withdrawn from their positions. They were replaced by Thorsten Heins. Heins hired investment banks RBC Capital Markets and JP Morgan to look for potential buyers interested in RIM, while also redoubling efforts to release BlackBerry 10.
On March 29, 2012, RIM announced a strategic review of its future business strategy that includes plans to refocus on the company's business and take advantage of leading position in the corporate space. Heins noted, "We believe that BlackBerrys can not succeed if we try to be lovers of all people and things to everyone, so we plan to build on our strengths." Balsillie resigned from the board of directors in March 2012, while Lazaridis remains on board as deputy chairman.
Following the assumed role of CEO, Heins made major changes to the company's leadership team. Changes include the departure of Chief Technology Officer David Yacht; Chief Operating Officer Jim Rowan; Senior Vice President of Software Alan Brenner; Chief Legal Officer, Karima Bring; and Chief Information Officer Robin Bienfait.
After a change of leadership, Heins hired Kristian Tear to take on the role of Chief Operating Officer, Frank Boulben to fill the role of Chief Marketing Officer and appointed Dan Dodge, CEO of QNX, to take over as Chief Technology Officer. On July 28, 2012, Steven E. Zipperstein was appointed as the new Vice President and Chief Law Officer.
On March 28, 2013, Lazardis renounced his position as vice chairman and announced his resignation from the board of directors. Later that year, Heins was replaced by John S. Chen, who took on the role of CEO in the first week of November. Chen's compensation package consists primarily of BlackBerry stocks - a total of 13 million - and he will be entitled to the entire number of shares after he has served the company for five years. Heins received an outgoing package of $ 22 million.
Chen has a reputation as a 'turnaround' CEO, transforming software companies and Sybase service organizations into being successful enough to sign a merger with SAP in 2010. Chen is open about his plans to join BlackBerry after joining the company, announcing his intentions. to move from hardware manufacturers to focus on enterprise software such as QNX, BlackBerry UEM, and AtHoc. He has a firm view on net neutrality and legitimate access, and has been described by his former colleagues as "the quick thinker who keeps people accountable."
Reduced manpower
In June 2011, RIM announced predictions that Q1 2011 revenue would drop for the first time in nine years, and also launch plans to reduce its workforce.
In July 2011, the company slashed 2,000 jobs, the biggest layoffs in its history and the first major layoff since November 12, 2002 when the company fired 10% of its workforce (200 employees). Layoffs reduce the workforce by about 11%, from 19,000 employees to 17,000.
On June 28, 2012, the company announced a planned workforce reduction of 5,000 by the end of fiscal year 2013, as part of a $ 1 billion cost savings initiative.
On July 25, 2013, 250 employees from the BlackBerry research and development department and new product testing were laid off. Layoffs are part of a turnaround effort.
On September 20, 2013, BlackBerry confirmed that the company will experience massive layoffs of 4,500 employees by the end of 2013. This will be about 40 percent of the company's workforce.
BlackBerry has peaked around 20,000 employees, but when CEO John Chen joined the BlackBerry in 2013, there was an additional layoff in February 2015 to compete with smartphones, bringing the total number of employees to 6,225. On July 21, 2015, BlackBerry announced additional layoffs from an unspecified number of employees, with another 200 dismissed in February 2016.
As of August 2017, the company has 4,044 employees.
Price fluctuations
In June 2011, RIM's stock fell to its lowest point since 2006. On December 16, 2011, RIM's shares fell to the lowest price since January 2004. Overall in 2011, share prices plunged 80 percent from January to December, causing market capitalization to fall below the value book. In March 2012, the stock was worth less than $ 14, from a high of more than $ 140 in 2008. From June 2008 to June 2011, RIM's shareholders lost nearly $ 70 billion, or 82 percent, as the company's market capitalization fell from $ 83 billion to $ 13.6 billion, the biggest decline among communications equipment providers.
Stock prices fell further on July 16, closing at $ 7.09 on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the lowest level since September 8, 2003, after a jury in California said RIM should pay $ 147.2 million as a result of patent infringement reviews that were later canceled.
On November 22, 2012, RIM/BlackBerry shares rose 18%, the largest increase in shares in more than three years. This is due to the announcement of National Bank of Canada, Kris Thompson, that the new BB10 device is expected to sell better than anticipated; along with raising the target stock price.
On June 28, 2013, after BlackBerry announced a net loss of about $ 84 million, its shares plunged 28%.
On Wednesday, April 12, 2017, stocks jumped more than 19% as BlackBerry won the arbitration case against Qualcomm. It was decided that BlackBerry had paid more companies in royalty payments, and BlackBerry earned $ 814.9 million.
Purchase Samsung Rumors
On January 14, 2015, in the last hour of trading on the US market, Reuters announced that Samsung was discussing with BlackBerry to buy the last between $ 13.35 and $ 15.49 per share. The article caused BlackBerry shares to rally 30%. Later that night, BlackBerry issued a press release denying media reports. Samsung responded, saying that the report was "unfounded."
Transition of Mobile OS
BlackBerry OS (Java)
Existing Java-based BlackBerry OSs are meant to operate under much simpler conditions, such as low-powered devices, narrow network bandwidth and high security firms. However, as mobile phone users evolve, this aging platform is struggling with emerging trends like mobile web search, consumer apps, multimedia, and touch-screen interfaces. Users may experience performance issues, usability issues, and instability.
The company tried to improve the aging platform with a better web browser, faster performance, bundled app store and various touch screen enhancements, but finally decided to build a new platform with QNX as its core. While most other operating systems are monolithic - damage to one area will cause the entire system to crash - QNX is more stable because it uses an independent builder block or "kernel", preventing the domino effect if one kernel is damaged. RIM's final OS release prior to the release of BlackBerry 10, is BlackBerry 7, which is often criticized as a date and is termed as temporary. BlackBerry Tablet OS (QNX)
BlackBerry Tablet OS (QNX)BlackBerry PlayBook is the first RIM product that BlackBerry Tablet OS built on QNX, launched in April 2011 as an alternative to Apple iPad. However, it was criticized for having incomplete software (originally lacking genuine email, calendar and contacts) and poor app choice. This fared badly until the price substantially diminished, as most other tablet computers released that year (Android tablets like Motorola Xoom and Samsung Galaxy Tab, and HP TouchPad). The BlackBerry Tablet OS received a major update in February 2012, as well as many minor updates.
BlackBerry 10 (QNX)
BlackBerry 10, a highly updated version of BlackBerry Tablet OS that is intended for next generation BlackBerry smartphones, was originally planned for release in early 2012. The company postponed the product several times, given the criticism faced by the BlackBerry Playbook launch and cited the need for it to be perfect for get a chance in the market. The latest model with this OS is BlackBerry Leap.
Android
In September 2015, BlackBerry announced Priv, a handset running Android 5.1.1 "Lollipop" (and compatible with upgrading to Android Marshmallow). This is the first phone by the company to not run the internal operating system.
Android BlackBerry is almost Android stock, with their own tweaks to improve productivity and security. BlackBerry has implemented some BlackBerry 10 features in Android such as BlackBerry Hub, BlackBerry Virtual Keyboard, BlackBerry Calendar, BlackBerry Contacts apps etc.
On April 1, 2016 BlackBerry reported that it sold 600,000 phones in its fiscal fourth quarter, amid expectations of handset sales of 750,000-800,000 for the first full quarter of reports since Priv's release.
On July 26, 2016, a new mid-range model with only on-screen keyboards was introduced, the very thin BlackBerry DTEK50, powered by the latest version of Android (6.0, Marshmallow) and featuring a full high-definition 5.2-inch display. BlackBerry chief security officer David Kleidermacher emphasized data security during the launch, pointing out that this model includes malware protection and encryption of all built-in user information. At that time, the BlackBerry Classic, which uses BlackBerry 10 OS, has been discontinued.
In July 2016, industry observers expect the company to announce two additional smartphones over the next 12 months, possibly also with the Android OS. However, BlackBerry COO Marty Beard told Bloomberg that "The company never said we would not build another BB10 device."
At MWC Barcelona 2017, TCL announces BlackBerry KEYone. KEYone is the last phone designed by BlackBerry itself.
src: i.ytimg.com
Acquisitions
Over the years, especially when the company evolved into its new platform, BlackBerry has made many acquisitions of third-party companies and technologies.
Slipstream Data Inc.
Slipstream Data Inc is an optimization of network/data compression/enterprise network acceleration software. BlackBerry acquired the company as a wholly owned subsidiary on July 11, 2006. The company continues to operate out of Waterloo.
Certicom
Certicom Corp. is a cryptographic company founded in 1985 by Gordon Agnew, Ron Mullin and Scott Vanstone.
Certicom's intellectual property portfolio includes over 350 worldwide patents and patents covering key aspects of elliptic curve cryptography (ECC): software optimization, efficient hardware implementation, security enhancement methods, and various cryptographic protocols.
The National Security Agency (NSA) has licensed 26 ECC Certicom patents as a way of clearing the way for the application of elliptical curves to protect US and allied government information.
Certicom's current customers include General Dynamics, Motorola, Oracle, Research In Motion, and Unisys.
On January 23, 2009, VeriSign entered into an agreement to acquire Certicom. Research In Motion provides a counter-offer, which is considered superior. VeriSign does not comply with this offer, and therefore Certicom announces an agreement to be acquired by RIM. Upon completion of this transaction, Certicom becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of RIM, and was excluded from the Toronto Stock Exchange on 25 March 2009.
In June 2009, RIM announced that it will acquire Dash Navigation, the maker of Dash Express.
Torch Mobile
In August 2009, RIM acquired Torch Mobile, the developer of Iris Browser, enabling the inclusion of WebKit-based browsers on their BlackBerry device, which became the web browser on the next Java-based operating system (BlackBerry 6, BlackBerry 7) and the operating system (QNX based on BlackBerry Tablet OS and BlackBerry 10). The first product containing this browser, BlackBerry Torch 9800, is named after the company name.
DataViz
On September 8, 2010, DataViz, Inc. sell their Documents To Go office suite and other assets for Research In Motion for $ 50 million. Furthermore, an application that allows users to view and edit Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint bundled on BlackBerry Smartphones and tablets.
Viigo
On March 26, 2010, the company announced the acquisition of Viigo, a Toronto-based company that developed Viigo popular for BlackBerry applications, which collects news content from around the web. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
QNX
RIM reached an agreement with Harman International on April 12, 2010, to get RIM's QNX Software System. The acquired company is to serve as a foundation for the next generation BlackBerry platform that crosses the device. QNX becomes a platform for BlackBerry PlayBook and BlackBerry 10 Smartphones. The TCL mobile company has licensed the rights to BlackBerry branded phones in many markets around the world.
The Astonishing Tribe
The Awesome Tribe ( TAT ), the MalmÃÆ'¶, Sweden-based user interface design company, was acquired by the company on December 2nd, 2010. With a history of creating user interfaces and apps for mobile, TAT contributes greatly to the BlackBerry 10 user experience as well as the development of its GUI framework, Cascades.
JayCut
In July 2011, RIM presented JayCut, a Swedish-based company that is an online video editor. JayCut technology is incorporated into BlackBerry 10 media software.
Paratek Microwave
In March 2012, RIM acquired Paratek Microwave, bringing their adaptive RF Tuning technology into BlackBerry handsets.
Tungle.me
On September 18, 2012, it was announced that RIM's social calendar service, Tungle.me will close on December 3, 2012. RIM acquired Tungle.me in April 2011.
Newbay
In July 2011, RIM acquired NewBay, a company based in Ireland which is an online video, pics and tool for network media editors. RIM then sells NewBay to Synchronoss in December 2012 for $ 55.5 million.
Scoreloop
In 2011, Scoreloop was acquired by BlackBerry. It provides tools to add social elements to any game (achievements/awards, etc.) and is a BlackBerry Game application center 10. On December 1, 2014, all Scoreloop services are closed.
Gist
Gist was acquired in February 2011, by BlackBerry. Gist is a tool that helps users to organize and view all their contacts in one place. The Gist service is closed on September 15, 2012 for the company to focus on BlackBerry 10.
Scroon
Scroon was acquired in May 2013 by BlackBerry Ltd. The French startup manages Facebook, Twitter, and other social media accounts for big clients such as LVMH luxury maker Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA, wireless operator Orange SA (ORA) and Warner Bros Entertainment. The deal was announced publicly in November 2013. According to Scroon founder, Alexandre Mars, he has not disclosed the purchase by the previous BlackBerry because of the "complicated media buzz" around the company. Scroon is part of BlackBerry's strategy to take advantage of BlackBerry Messenger's instant messaging services by leveraging the newly launched BBM Channels. The financial terms are not disclosed.
Movirtu
Movirtu was acquired in September 2014, by BlackBerry. Movirtu is the beginning of the UK that allows multiple phone numbers to be active on a single mobile device. At the time of the acquisition, BlackBerry announced that it would expand this functionality beyond BlackBerry 10 to other mobile platforms such as Android and iOS.
Secusmart
Secusmart was acquired in September 2014. The German-based company is one step to position BlackBerry as the most secure provider in the mobile market. Secusmart has an agreement to equip the German Government with a high-security mobile device that encrypts voice and data on BlackBerry devices 10. The phones are currently used by Angela Merkel and most of the ministers as well as some of the Departments and Parliaments.
WatchDox
WatchDox is an Israeli-based Enterprise File Synchronization and Sharing company that specializes in securing access to cloud-based documents. BlackBerry acquired the company in April 2015. On December 8, 2016, BlackBerry changed its name to WatchDox into the BlackBerry Workspace.
AtHoc
On Wednesday July 22, 2015, BlackBerry announced that it had acquired AtHoc, a secure and networked emergency communications provider.
Good Technology
On September 4, 2015, BlackBerry announced the acquisition of Good Technology mobile security provider for $ 425 million. On December 8, 2016, brands changed the brands of Good products and integrated them into BlackBerry Enterprise Mobility Suite, a series of tiered device offerings for its corporate customers.
Encryption
On Wednesday, February 24, 2016, BlackBerry acquired a UK-based cyber security consultancy Inquiry.
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Software
BlackBerry Unified Endpoint Manager (UEM)
Enterprise Mobility Management platform that provides access and temporary control over smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktops with support for all major platforms including iOS, Android (including Android for Work and Samsung KNOX), BlackBerry 10, Windows 10, and Mac OS. UEM (formerly known as BES) also acts as an integrated management console and server for BlackBerry Dynamics, BlackBerry Workspace, and BlackBerry 2FA.
BlackBerry Dynamics (Formerly Good Dynamics)
The Mobile App Management Platform that manages and secures application data through application virtualization. BlackBerry Dynamics application packages include email, calendar, contacts, tasks, instant messaging, browsing, and document sharing. BlackBerry Dynamics SDK allows developers to take advantage of platform security, and add functionality from other BlackBerry solutions into their apps.
BlackBerry Workspace (Previous WatchDox)
Enterprise File Synchronization and Sharing (EFSS) Platform, Workspace provides file-level digital rights management controls in addition to file synchronization and sharing functions.
BlackBerry 2FA (Formerly Powerful Authentication)
Two-factor certificate-based VPN authentication solutions that allow users to authenticate without requiring a PIN or password.
BBM Enterprise
Instant messaging platform of IP-based companies that provide end-to-end encryption for voice, video, and text-based communications. On February 7, 2017, Blackberry released the BBM Enterprise SDK, the "Communications Platform as a Service" package that allows developers to incorporate Enterprise BBM messaging capabilities into their own applications. These capabilities include secure messages, voice, video, file sharing, and attendance information.
BlackBerry AtHoc
Emergency communication system, AtHoc provides two-way messages and notifications on various devices and platforms. On May 17, 2017, BlackBerry released an AtHoc Account to help businesses more easily track their staff in an emergency.
SecuSUITE
An anti-eavesdropping solution that provides voice, data, and SMS encryption.
BlackBerry QNX
Real-time embedded operating system, QNX pushes several modern automated vehicle software systems, and forms the basis for solutions such as BlackBerry Radar, IoT-based asset tracking system for the transportation industry.
Patent litigation
Since the turn of the century, RIM has been involved in a series of lawsuits related to alleged patent infringement.
Glenayre Electronics
In 2001, Research In Motion sued competitor Glenayre Electronics Inc. for patent infringement, in part in response to a previous breach of suit filed by Glenayre against RIM. RIM sought orders to prevent Glenayre infringing on RIM's "Single Mailbox Integration" patent. The suit was finally settled for RIM.
Good Technology
In June 2002, Research In Motion filed a lawsuit against 2000 start-ups and competitors of Good Technology. RIM filed additional complaints throughout the year. In March 2004, Good agreed with the licensing agreement, thus completing outstanding litigation.
Handspring
On September 16, 2002, Research In Motion was awarded a patent relating to keyboard design on a handheld e-mail device. Upon receiving the patent, he proceeded to sue Handspring over his Treo device. Handspring finally agreed to license RIM's patent and avoid further litigation in November of the same year.
NTP
During the appeal, RIM discovers previous art raising "substantial new questions about patents" and filed a re-examination of NTP patents at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The re-examination is done separately against court cases for violations. In February 2006, the USPTO rejected all NTP claims in three disputed patents. The NTP appealed the decision, and the re-examination process continued until July 2006 (See NTP, Inc. for details).
On March 3, 2006, RIM announced that it has resolved a BlackBerry patent dispute with NTP. Under the terms of the settlement, RIM agreed to pay NTP US $ 612.5 million in "full and final settlement of all claims." In a statement, RIM said that "all terms of the treaty have been resolved and litigation against RIM has been dismissed by a court order this afternoon.The agreement eliminates the need for further court proceedings or decisions relating to damages or damages."
Xerox
On July 17, 2003, while still involved in litigation with NTP and Good Technology, RIM filed a lawsuit against Xerox in the US District of Hartford, Connecticut. The lawsuit was filed in response to a discussion of Xerox's patents that may affect RIM's business, and also requested that Xerox's patents be void.
Visto
On May 1, 2006, RIM was sued by Visto for infringement of four patents. Although the patent is widely considered invalid and in the same vein as the NTP patent - with an assessment of Visto in the UK - RIM settled a lawsuit in the United States on July 16, 2009, with RIM agreeing to pay Visto $ 267.5 million plus another term anonymous.
Motorola
On January 22, 2010, Motorola requested that all BlackBerry smartphones be banned from importing into the United States for violating five Motorola patents. Their patents for "early-stage innovations", including UI, power management and WiFi, are questioned. RIM retaliated on the same day, accusing anti-competitive behavior and that Motorola violated the 2003 license agreement by refusing to extend the license period beyond 2008. The companies went out of court on June 11, 2010.
Eatoni
On December 5, 2011, Research In Motion obtained an order which granted a motion to deny Eatoni claimant claims that RIM violated Part 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act and equivalent parts of the New York's Donnelly Act. Eatoni alleges that alleged infringement of a patent by RIM accused of '317 was an antitrust offense. Eatoni Ergonomics, Inc. v. Research In Motion Corp., No. 08-Civ. 10079 (WHP) (S.D.N.Y. Template: No typo, 2011), Memorandum and Order, p.Ã, 1 (Pauley, J.).
Mformation
In July 2012, a US federal court jury awarded $ 147 million (then canceled) against Research In Motion. The jury ruled that Research In Motion had violated Mformation's patents and calculated a loss of $ 8 apiece at 18.4 million units for royalties on past device sales to US non-government customers only, excluding royalty payments inside and outside US on August 9, 2012, the verdict was canceled at the time of appeal. RIM believes that the Mformation patent claims are invalid because the process is already in use when Mformation submits its patent application. Judge James Ware said, Mformation failed to establish that RIM has violated the company's patents.
Qualcomm
On May 26, 2017, BlackBerry announced that it has reached an agreement with Qualcomm Incorporated to settle all amounts paid in respect of a provisional arbitration award announced on 12 April 2017. After joint determination by the parties, the arbitration panel has issued a final decision. award for Qualcomm's payment to BlackBerry for a total amount of US $ 940,000,000 including interest and attorney fees, less certain royalties due from BlackBerry for calendar 2016 and calendar first quarter 2017
On Tuesday, March 8, 2018, Blackberry Limited sued Facebook Inc. in federal court in Los Angeles. According to BlackBerry Limited, Facebook has built its royal palaces on messaging technology originally created by them during the time when Facebook's head Mark Zukerburg is still living in a Harvard University dorm room. Blackberry Limited alleges that many of Facebook's messaging services feature infringes on Blackberry patents.
Controversy
Stock option settlement scheme
In 2007, Jim Balsillie's co-CEO was forced to resign as chairman when the company announced a $ 250 million return related to the error in how to grant stock options. In addition, internal reviews found that hundreds of stock option grants have retreated, timed with low share prices to make them more profitable.
In January 2009, Canadian regulators claimed they were seeking a $ 80 million USD penalty from two top executives, co-CEOs Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis. Furthermore, Ontario Security Commission (OSC) has encouraged Balsillie to pay most of the penalties and release his chair on RIM's board of directors for a certain period of time.
On February 5, 2009, several executives and directors of Research In Motion agreed to pay a fine to complete an investigation into retired stock options. Ontario Security Commission approved the arrangement in a closed meeting.
Under terms of the settlement agreement with OSC, RIM co-chief executive officers Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis, as well as chief operating officer Dennis Kavelman, will jointly pay a total of C $ 68-million to RIM to indemnify the company for loss from backdating and fees long internal investigation. All three are also required to pay C $ 9-million to the OSC.
Initially, Balsillie has resigned from the board of directors of RIM while for a year and remains in its executive role. Balsille left the Board in January 2012 and resigned from his executive role in March 2012.
Environmental recordings
In November 2011, RIM was ranked 15th out of 15 electronically reopened Greenpeace electronics manufacturers, Guide to Greener Electronics. This guide rates producers according to their policies and practices to reduce their impact on climate, produce more greener products, and make their operations more sustainable. RIM appeared for the first time in 2011 with a score of 1.6 out of 10. In the Energy section the company was criticized by Greenpeace for not seeking external verification for its data on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), because it lacks a clean electrical plan and not to assign targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
RIM performs poorly in the Product category, only rating points for its energy-efficiency products because it reports that its BlackBerry battery charger is rated 4-star IPP European Commission. Meanwhile, in Operation Sustainability, the company got good grades because of its attitude to mineral conflict and received points for Paper Procurement Policy and its mail return program for e-waste. However, RIM has not been given points for managing greenhouse gas emissions from its supply chain.
In its 2012 development report related to conflict minerals, Project Rend assigns RIM the sixth highest of 24 consumer electronics companies.
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