RIM Partners with Microsoft for Cloud-based Services

By Hercules Kataveli, B2P
Published on Wednesday March 16, 2011 at 7:11 pm ET
Updated 03-16-11, 8:07 pm ET

blackberry-playbookThe Waterloo, Ontario-based maker of the BlackBerry smartphone, Research In Motion (RIM), today announced a cloud-based data storage partnership with the world’s largest software vendor, Microsoft Corp.

RIM will use Microsoft servers and software to provide cloud-based storage solutions for clients, as more of them shift their data to the cloud.

 Moving files to cloud storage systems allows users to access documents, and other files, from almost anywhere and on an assortment of different devices, including smartphones, and emerging tablet computers.

Research In Motion vice president Jim Tobin today said in a statement that cloud based solutions is a more efficient model for everyone.

Tobin said half of RIM’s current clients are expected to migrate their data to cloud systems by the end of 2012. He did not elaborate further on what RIM might offer clients, costs, and any projections on cost savings for clients.

RIM is readying the launch of its first tablet computer, the BlackBerry PlayBook, which is slated for a Q1 launch. Reports say the PlayBook will launch on April 10.

Apple has already introduced its second tablet, iPad 2, to the market, while RIM is still working on launching its first generation PlayBook

Apple to date has sold over 15-million iPad devices, with the company saying iPad 2 sales are “amazing,” while not releasing any specific sales numbers.

RIM continues to work on the software side of the PlayBook to make it more user friendly, including a video conferencing application, as the company readies the device for debut.

The BlackBerry maker is also going to include music store for the PlayBook through a partnership with 7digital. The strategic move brings an already established music service to the PlayBook that would make it easier for users to purchase music, videos, podcasts, among other media (including free content), straight from their BlackBerry device which would include syncing capabilities.

RIM is set to release Q4 2011 and full year-end financial results on March 24 after the end of the trading day.

The RIM stock (TSE:RIM) closed down 10-basis points to $59.46 per share in today’s trading session.

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Hercules holds a B.Comm Finance from Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 2 Candidate. He was previously a contributor at FiLife, a finance website owned by Dow Jones and IAC. Write to [email protected]
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  • http://twitter.com/msbpodcast msbpodcast

    This is one area where they might have some success, if they can convince any enterprise that the proprietary information and processes that they have worked on for years to develop and spent billions to protect would be just as safe in Microsoft’s cloud.nnGood luck with that.

    • https://business2press.com Hercules K

      I think Microsoft is very reliable. Haven’t heard of any problems with their cloud system, never lost a Hotmail email, nothing. And don’t forget that some gmail users lost their emails a few months ago or so, don’t remember if those people got their email back though. rnrnSent with BlackBerry

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