[February 7, 2005]

3Com and RIM Tie BlackBerrys to PBXs

BY JOHANNE TORRES

3Com Corporation and Research In Motion (RIM) have teamed up to enable BlackBerry devices to be tied up to corporate PBXs. Both companies will make this possible by combining 3Com's Internet Protocol (IP)-private branch exchange (PBX) and wireless local area network (WLAN) switch with RIM's BlackBerry wireless solution for WLAN networks, allowing for a rich set of voice and data applications to on-campus enterprise users.

The 3Com-RIM IP Mobility Solution is comprised of a 3Com VCX Gateway, 3Com Wireless LAN Mobility System, and Blackberry 7270 handhelds. The joint 3Com - RIM WLAN solution will provide corporate and government organizations with the flexibility of a session initiation protocol (SIP)-based BlackBerry handheld device that is tied into their existing PBX telephony system. The solution will enable on-campus employees to use always-on BlackBerry applications such as e-mail, VoIP, Web-browsing and organizer in conjunction with the BlackBerry platform's connectivity features including push-based services, advanced security and back-end integration.

"Leveraging both companies' respective strengths, the 3Com-Research In Motion alliance enables businesses to deploy standards-based, world-class IP telephony and wireless solutions in order to provide their campus employees with seamless access to time-sensitive information," said Dave Hattey, 3Com vice president and general manager, enterprise solutions. "Companies today are under enormous pressure to lower costs and increase organizational effectiveness. One of the most cost effective ways to do this is through our SIP standards-based converged communications suite integrated with RIM's enterprise-mobility communications solutions."

3Com's new wireless switch conforms to IEEE 802.11 standards and the BlackBerry 7270 is based on IEEE 802.11 standards for wireless and SIP for telephony application. The BlackBerry platform also supports open industry standards such as Java. The 3Com IP Mobility module supports a variety of investment and deployment strategies, including traditional PBX preservation or replacement, and use of standard computing platforms. The module also allows "Campus Warrior" associates to have greater access to their voice and data communications.

The BlackBerry platform offers a more secure wireless data access with its advanced security architecture and support for Triple DES, AES and S/MIME. Intelligent Wi-Fi also helps communication using AAA servers reduce network bandwidth stress and allows for security profiling by user, and by group. Rogue detection and isolation also help ensure only authorized users access the network.

"The BlackBerry 7270 and BlackBerry Enterprise Server solution for WLAN networks and 3Com's IP telephony network and WLAN switch will extend the BlackBerry experience to a new category of enterprise users in corporate and government organizations," said Larry Conlee, COO at Research In Motion. "The benefits of always-on connectivity will become available to on-campus employees through a cost-effective solution that can enhance communications, collaboration and workflow."

3Com Corporation
www.3com.com

Research In Motion (RIM)
www.rim.com
www.blackberry.com