RIM Enters Multi-Platform MDM Market with BlackBerry Mobile Fusion

Research In Motion today unveiled BlackBerry Mobile Fusion, a next-gen enterprise mobility solution that it says simplifies management of smartphones and tablets for businesses and governments.

Entering the multi-platform, mobile-device management marketplace, RIM says Mobile Fusion covers the mobile OS spectrum, compatible with devices running BlackBerry, Android and Apple iOS operating systems.

"BlackBerry Mobile Fusion brings together our industry-leading BlackBerry Enterprise Server technology for BlackBerry devices with mobile device management capabilities for iOS and Android devices, all managed from one Web-based console," said Alan Panezic, VP, enterprise product management and marketing at RIM. "It provides the necessary management capabilities to allow IT departments to confidently oversee the use of both company-owned and employee-owned mobile devices within their organizations."

As more and more employees are allowed to use their own mobile devices for work, challenges for CIOs and IT departments are increasing, resulting in increased demand for MDM solutions.

BlackBerry Mobile Fusion brings together the BlackBerry Enterprise Server (version 5.0.3) for BlackBerry smartphones; new management capabilities for BlackBerry PlayBook tablets built on BlackBerry Enterprise Server technology; and mobile-device management for smartphones and tablets running Android and iOS operating systems.

BlackBerry Mobile Fusion’s MDM capabilities include: asset management; configuration management; user- and group-based administration; high scalability; centralized console; and connectivity management.

The solution is currently in early beta testing with select enterprise customers. RIM is now accepting customer nominations for the closed beta program which will start in January, and general availability is expected in late March.