BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) has acquired AtHoc in its quest to become an undisputed global leader in secure mass communication and collaboration. Given BlackBerry’s current strategy of focusing on highly secure mobile solutions, this move is not surprising.
BlackBerry priority is to bolster its capabilities in privacy, security, and the Internet of Things. Company’s acquisition of AtHoc was to take a government-grade, secure software platform and integrate it with Blackberry’s enterprise portfolio and trusted worldwide network. Also, when BlackBerry’s experience is combined with AtHoc’s technology, new solutions can be devised for mission critical business communications.
AtHoc’s crisis communication product helps share critical information when normal communication fails. The product comes on a host of devices and platforms including iOS, Android and more. BlackBerry’s objective is to leverage AtHoc’s features to give its client’s more secure business communications.
According to BlackBerry Chief Operating Officer, Marty Beard, The acquisition of AtHoc is one among the series of acquisition by BlackBerry to strengthen its enterprise and security offerings. In April, Blackberry declared its intention to acquire Israeli data security firm WatchDox. Earlier in June 2014, the company took over German mobile security company Secusmart.
AtHoc has been given the status of “leader” by industry research firm, Gartner. Notably, it has reached the highest rank for the ability to execute on the firm’s Magic Quadrant for U.S. Emergency/Mass Notification Services.
BlackBerry has a history of over two decades of supplying the world’s pre-eminent security mobile solutions. In its journey, it has been awarded more than 70 government certification and approvals thus surpassing any other mobile vendor. Most of the world’s leading economies, banks, law firms, healthcare, investment and oil and gas companies trust and use BlackBerry for their mobile operations.
At the same time, BlackBerry is of the opinion that its BlackBerry Messenger service will improve AtHoc’s existing alert system. BlackBerry CEO John Chen emphasized the need to add richer content to AtHoc’s alert system. He added that it could be provided by BlackBerry messenger that supplies apart from text, features such as voice, picture, and video sharing.
AtHoc is a company that offers secure networked crisis communication to big organizations and government agencies. It services empower enterprises to continue to communicate and collaborate with each other throughout crisis situations.
