This IDC Update provides an overview of the recent joint initiative of Research In Motion (RIM) and IBM in making IBM Lotus collaboration software available on BlackBerry devices.

IBM and RIM have announced the availability of IBM Lotus collaboration software, which is the collaboration and social networking capabilities of the Lotus software suite, on BlackBerry devices. The highlight of this partnership is the comprehensive approach that the two companies have taken in terms of mobile-enabling numerous social networking and collaboration products within the IBM Lotus product line. RIM has already made an entry into the social networking space by offering a Facebook application on its BlackBerry devices. The joint effort will involve the availability of a BlackBerry client for IBM Lotus Connections ? IBM's social networking software for business. This software runs natively on BlackBerry devices. It provides mobile access to Lotus Connections features like profiles and Dogear. RIM extends its mobile push functionality and secures the BlackBerry environment to the client.

The recent announcement also involves the aggregation of the past and future joint initiatives of IBM and RIM around mobile email, collaboration, and Enterprise 2.0. RIM and IBM have worked together to enable mobile IBM WebSphere Portal and IBM dashboard, IBM Lotus Connections, IBM Lotus Notes and Domino, IBM Lotus Sametime, and IBM Cognos 8 Go! Mobile business intelligence (BI) software.

IBM's unified communications (UC) strategy is largely built on the notion of advanced contextual collaboration. Toward this, mobile environment forms a key context within the UC technology space. RIM has focused on delivering a holistic mobility experience beyond mobile office. Recent spate of partnerships ? including one with SAP for mobile-enabling SAP Customer Relationship Management (SAP CRM) application ? underscores RIM's strong push toward offering a comprehensive mobile work environment on its BlackBerry devices.