BlackBerry announced that it has teamed up with Google to efficiently incorporate its secure electronic mobile management (EMM) system into Google's Android for Work platform.
BlackBerry already closed a similar deal to have its BES12 EMM solution intregrated into the Knox suite of security software by Samsung. The company has partnered with Google to generate and make the cross-platform solution available to all devices which have Android for Work.
The concept of Android for Work is centered on a form of technology that enables its users to split up their work accounts from their personal accounts despite using a single device.
Billy Ho, executive vice president for enterprise products and value added solutions at BlackBerry, stated the company’s efforts in teaming up with Google to enhance customer satisfaction.
"BlackBerry is working with Google to provide customers with solutions they can confidently deploy on major mobile platforms within their organization," Ho said.
BlackBerry has went through constant struggle in terms of successfully selling hardware as rivals Apple, Samsung and other mobile device makers have gained much more momentum in the race to introduce and sell newer and better smartphones.
Nonetheless, BlackBerry seeks to regain control by selling its software worth $500 million to companies and government organizations that consider security as a number one priority.
Now, with the company pairing up with Google, BlackBerry can have access to Google’s customers who prefer to use Android for Work. The BES12 enables companies to have their IT administrative members organize the work accounts of their employees' devices. At the same time, the IT department can also give permission to have access to select apps available on the Google Play Store, such as Google Now.
"Android for Work with BES12 will provide customers with another option to enhance their mobile security and the productivity of their employees, and the peace of mind that they will not have to relinquish any control over corporate data, sacrifice user experience or introduce more complexity into their environments," Ho further explained.
According to analysts, BlackBerry still has the ability and the reputation to exert collaborative efforts with major companies, such as Google and Samsung, thereby proving their capability of coming up with secure products and services.
"One shortcoming of the Android platform is security,” Kevin Stadtler, a BlackBerry stockholder and president of Stadtler Capital Management, explained. "They're partnering with BlackBerry in order to directly address that."
While the full offering will be made available by BlackBerry in the second quarter of this year, companies can already get a hold of the BES12 system starting this March when the EMM solution is offered on an invite-only basis.
