Event
Summary
Research In Motion Limited announced that it has expanded its relationship
with Compaq Computer Corporation. Combining the wireless expertise of
RIM with Compaq's leadership in the integration and support of enterprise
messaging systems, the two companies have agreed to offer customers an
end-to-end wireless e-mail solution that will be co-branded by Compaq
and RIM.
Market
Impact
Compaq will be releasing renamed versions of RIM's Blackberry 950 and
957 wireless messaging devices. Compaq will release the Blackberry 950
device as a Compaq iPAQ Blackberry W1000; availability for W1000 is expected
immediately. The Blackberry 957 device will be released as the W1100 which
is not expected to hit the consumer market until September 2000 (Probability
85%). The device will be marketed throughout the United States and Canada,
as it is presently by Research in Motion.
Due
to Compaq's strengths in hardware design and its dedication to enterprise
wide messaging applications such as Microsoft Exchange, an alliance with
Research in Motion (RIM) is a logical choice. RIM's enterprise messaging
integration software integrates with Microsoft Exchange extremely well
and allows true wireless messaging without the need for a user's desktop
to be involved in redirecting e-mail messages. RIM has already enjoyed
tremendous growth in the Internet messaging space with partnerships with
ISPs such as EarthLink and has now attracted the hardware giants. We firmly
believe that RIM has a bright future with its Blackberry line until such
a time as Digital Phones expand in capabilities and usability.
User
Recommendations
Expect Compaq to vigorously market the iPAQ Blackberry device line along
with its messaging based hardware. Also expect to see Compaq push Microsoft
Exchange as the preferred enterprise messaging application. Compaq and
RIM will both reap benefits from their new strategic relationship, which
will also bode well for price conscious consumers due to increased production
and therefore reduced costs, to meet the existing (and growing) demand
for wireless messaging.