Research In Motion (RIM) is previewing its BlackBerry (News - Alert) Client for IBM Lotus Connections, which is a software application that runs natively on BlackBerry smartphones to provide mobile users with access to Lotus Connections social software for business.

 

With this application, users can enjoy some of the same benefits and functionalities, which are found on the desktop version of Lotus Connections, directly from their BlackBerry smartphone. It also allows users to collaborate on projects with teammates, locate internal subject matter experts by name or topic and also share information easily and help in making better decisions.

 

“Organizations are embracing social networking tools to improve productivity and enable workers to find the experts and information within their organizations that can help them get their jobs done more effectively,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at RIM, in a press release, “Lotus Connections, which facilitates the gathering and exchange of information through professional networks, is a natural fit with the BlackBerry platform. We are very pleased to introduce the first mobile software application to leverage this exciting new social software for business.”

 

The BlackBerry client application for Lotus Connections leverages the push-based architecture, security and administration features of BlackBerry Enterprise Server—providing IT groups with the necessary controls for enabling mobile access to Lotus Connections in the enterprise field.

 

The BlackBerry Client features mobile access to profiles so users can intuitively and flexibly search internal subject matter experts and also consider details about current role, background, and areas of interest to identify internal subject matter experts, and contact them instantly.

 

Also, mobile access to Dogear makes it possible for users to access their colleagues’ “pre-vetted” bookmarks, searching them by tags and adding new bookmarks directly from a BlackBerry smartphone, thereby saving time on research.

 

 

“The challenges of globalization are forcing companies to become more nimble, using an increasingly geographically-dispersed and virtual workforce to remain competitive,” said Jeff Schick, vice president of social software, IBM (News - Alert) Lotus, in the press release, “Together with RIM we are excited to be delivering the industry’s business-ready social software on the BlackBerry platform.”