Press Release
December 3, 2004
Vodafone Launches New BlackBerry Solution for Australian Businesses
Sydney - Vodafone has announced today that it is first to market with the launch of BlackBerry Enterprise Server™ v4.0 for Australian businesses.
BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.0 offers organisations enhanced security, simplified deployment, exceptional manageability and expanded corporate data application. In addition end users will enjoy an enhanced wireless experience, improved ease of use, as well as increased mobility and productivity.*
According to Declan O’Callaghan, business marketing manager for Vodafone Australia, “Vodafone is committed to bringing down the cost of mobility for Australian businesses. The new Blackberry® solution from Vodafone for the enterprise is the latest wireless email solution on the market today.”
“We have seen significant growth in the business sector across all vertical sectors, but especially the growth of small-to-medium enterprises. This new totally wireless BlackBerry solution will spur more and more business to consider completely mobilising their workforce,” he said.
New features of BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.0 are:
- Simplified deployment and maintenance
- Enhanced handheld asset control
- Additional wireless security capabilities
- Improved data access
- Enhanced wireless experience
- Simplified application development
Additional features are:
- Ability to download a variety of image formats (jpeg, gif, bmp, tiff and png) and store them on the handheld
- Image manipulation controls (pan, zoom and rotate)
- Ability to search the address book, calendar, memo pad, tasks and messages applications simultaneously
- Support for additional fields and categories within the address book, memo pad and task applications
- Cradle-free wireless sent items synchronisation between a user’s BlackBerry handheld and desktop PC
- Ability to tentatively accept calendar appointments on the BlackBerry handheld with or without comments and be notified of meeting conflicts
- BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.0 enables the delivery of extended character sets such as traditional and simplified Chinese
Notes for editors:
Simplified deployment and maintenance – BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.0 enables users to quickly connect their handheld to BlackBerry Enterprise Server with cradle/stroke-less wireless provisioning, making it easier for IT departments to deploy BlackBerry throughout their company. IT administrators can also use the handheld configuration tool to centrally load handheld software and provision handhelds with appropriate user data.
Enhanced handheld asset control - IT departments with BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.0 are provided with additional statistics regarding handhelds that are deployed for enhanced administration and asset tracking. IT departments can remotely control which applications can be installed on handhelds.
Additional wireless security capabilities - BlackBerry sets the standard for secure wireless data access with support for Triple DES (Data Encryption Standard) and FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards) government certification. With BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.0, additional security features are offered through full support of AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) and content protection on the handheld with local data encryption. Additional features include an optional AES encrypted password keeper application that securely stores password entries (e.g. banking passwords and PIN numbers), wireless IT policy support, wireless password controls, wireless lock/wipe commands and wireless encryption key regeneration.
Enhanced wireless experience - BlackBerry continues to add functionality to enhance the end-user experience. BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.0 provides customers with an enhanced data experience through improved attachment handling capabilities (including the ability to view images, footnotes and track changes), enriched browser for wireless access to Internet and intranet applications and complete cradle-free wireless synchronisation of all email and organizer applications, including the ability to remotely control email filters and out-of-office replies from the handheld. BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.0 also includes enhanced phone features, such as improved user interface and an A to Z speed dial.
Simplified application development - BlackBerry provides a robust wireless platform to support enterprise applications such as CRM and business intelligence as well as more specialized applications in sectors such as real estate, health care, legal, government and financial services. BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.0 provides an enhanced browser and Java development tools that enable developers to easily create and deploy applications for BlackBerry. The Mobile Data Service feature of BlackBerry Enterprise Server is uniquely designed to provide Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and in-house corporate developers with an environment that supports corporate data access and interaction capabilities beyond email. With BlackBerry Mobile Data Service, customers can leverage their existing, approved BlackBerry architecture and security model to deploy reliable, secure, end-to-end applications without any additional infrastructure to learn or support. BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.0 also features new development toolkits including additional Application Program Interfaces for browser and phone applications and content protection.
About Vodafone
Vodafone Group Plc is a leading mobile communications company - 25 per cent of the world’s mobile phone users are connected to Vodafone. Vodafone has equity interests in 26 countries, and partner networks in a further 13 countries - leaving an unmatched network footprint. The company provides quality services to 2.5 million Australian customers, 1.6 million New Zealand customers and 114,000 Fijian customers. Vodafone has more than 133.4 million proportionate customers worldwide.
© Vodafone Pty Limited 2004: VODAFONE and the Vodafone logos are trade marks of the Vodafone Group. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trade marks of their respective owners.
About Research In Motion (RIM)
Research In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIM’s portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.
* BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.0 is also required.
The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited.
