Press Release
July 30, 2001
DADA and RIM to Introduce Innovative, GPRS-based, BlackBerry Wireless Email Solution to Italy
Independent Internet Company, DADA S.p.A. DADA (MIL:DA.MI), and Research In Motion Limited (RIM) (TSE: RIM; Nasdaq: RIMM) announced today that they will work together to introduce RIM's BlackBerry™ Enterprise Edition to the Italian market.
BlackBerry is the first completely integrated wireless email solution for mobile professionals. It offers a number of unique features, including seamless integration with corporate email systems so that users have a secure, 'always on' connection to their existing business email account. The combination of BlackBerry's unique 'push' technology and the GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) network means that email messages are sent automatically to the user. There is no need to dial in to retrieve messages.
Through this new agreement with RIM Europe, Wireless Solutions S.p.A, DADA's Mobile Technology subsidiary, intends to release BlackBerry in Italy by early 2002, and to develop customised, vertical applications for the solution.
The BlackBerry wireless email solution comprises Java-based wireless handhelds, desktop tools, server software and end-to-end security on a GPRS network.
DADA intends to introduce BlackBerry to Italy through its Enterprise Business Solutions division and b2b portal Aziende.it.
"We are proud to announce this agreement with RIM, confirming our efforts to partner with leading developers of cutting edge technologies," said Marco Argenti, CEO of Wireless Solutions and Managing Director, Wireless for DADA. "The wide penetration and continual growth of business email, estimated to reach around 10 billion messages per day worldwide by end of 2001*, demonstrates the huge potential of the wireless sector. To meet the growing demand for mobility services and products, DADA Group aims to provide innovative applications for vertical sectors through its various business units. We are confident that the introduction of BlackBerry in Italy will satisfy the needs of a broad range of professional users in both small and large corporations."
Charles Meyer, Director and Vice President, Europe, at Research In Motion, said: "RIM is delighted to have signed this Memorandum of Understanding with DADA, one of Italy's leading Internet companies. We believe it represents an exciting opportunity for both RIM and DADA. DADA's desire to develop additional software applications tailored to the needs of Italian businesses will be facilitated greatly by BlackBerry's recent introduction of a fully integrated Java™ (J2ME) platform."
* Source: IDC
Key Features of the BlackBerry Wireless Email Solution:
- Advanced wireless handheld - slim and lightweight with a keyboard and trackwheel; embedded wireless modem (no external antenna or attachments needed), plus integrated email and organizer software.
- Single mailbox integration with corporate email systems allows users to keep their existing email address and manage one single mailbox.
- Powerful email features - read, originate, forward, reply, delete or file messages using the wireless handheld (inbox and folders are synchronized between the wireless handheld and PC); user-selectable message filters allow user to control email flow.
- Full-featured connected organizer - includes calendar, address book, task list, memo pad, calculator and alarm; synchronizes with PC.
- Support for Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME), enables a wide range of software application development based on open standards.
- 'Always On, Always Connected™' - designed to operate 24 hours per day while remaining connected to the wireless network to allow easy notification of incoming email; uses 'push model' of email delivery; email automatically finds the user; no dialling-in; no initiating connections; no effort required.
- End-to-end security - email is encrypted using Triple DES and remains encrypted at all points between the user's email account (behind the corporate firewall) and the user's wireless handheld; meets strict corporate security guidelines for company-confidential information.
- BlackBerry Enterprise Server - enterprise server software provides centralized management and control with a scalable architecture.
- End-to-end solution - customers receive easy-to-use wireless handhelds, productive desktop utilities, innovative server software and nationwide airtime on a leading network in one completely integrated solution.
Launched in North America in 1999, BlackBerry is now being introduced across Europe on emerging General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) networks.
www.blackberry.net
About DADA
DADA, an independent Internet Company quoted on the New Market of the Italian Stock Exchange (Borsa Italiana SpA; DA.MI) since last June, supplies high value added network services and solutions both for business clients and consumer users. With a portfolio of more than 30,000 company clients, DADA operates through its four separate and highly synergetic Business Units in the areas of community management (Application Portal), the offer of e-business solutions, the supply of hosting/housing services and domain registration (Aziende.it) and Wireless Solutions.
Established in Bologna in March 2000, Wireless Solutions SpA is one of the leading WASPs (Wireless Application Service Provider) in Europe and is the point of reference in the Italian market for the development and supply of Internet services integrated with mobile phone technology such as WAP, SMS, GPRS and UMTS. Independent Internet Company DADA, listed on the New Market, achieved control of Wireless Solutions on February 2001.
SuperEva, DADA's Internet Community, is one of the most important Italian Internet Companies with a market reach more than 35%.
About RIM
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, 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).
Research In Motion, RIM, the RIM logo, BlackBerry Wireless Handheld, BlackBerry Enterprise Edition, BlackBerry, the BlackBerry logo and 'Always On, Always Connected' are trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. Research In Motion, RIM and 'Always On, Always Connected' are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other brands, products and company names mentioned herein may be 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.
