BlackBerry partners with Hcl Infosystems to expand channel for enterprise software products and services in India

Partnership to provide business customers with increased access to BlackBerry Enterprise Solutions through HCL Infosystems'€™ expansive pan-India channel network

Jun 17, 2016

Mumbai, India -€“ June 17, 2016 -€“ BlackBerry Limited (NASDAQ: BBRY; TSX: BB), a global leader in secure mobile communications, today announced a new partnership with HCLInfosystems, one of India's premier IT services, distribution and digital solutions companies, significantly expanding the channel and distribution network for BlackBerry enterprise software products and services in India.

The partnership will enhance the availability of BlackBerry's enterprise mobility portfolio to business customers by leveraging HCL Infosystems' extensive pan-India network of deeply specialized enterprise distribution partners. As well as sales support, customers will also have access to HCL Infosystems' IT deployment support and integration capabilities that will help them to migrate seamlessly or consolidate their Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) investments.

Richard McLeod, Vice President Global Channels at BlackBerry says,

"€œIndia is a priority for BlackBerry'€™s enterprise software business and we are focused on delivering the best possible experience to our business customers in this market. By working with an established partner like HCL Infosystems in India, we aim to create growth for our partners while giving our customers wider access to our leading suite of enterprise solutions with world-class support, helping organizations advance their mobility strategies."€

BlackBerry is successfully working with value-added distributors and enterprise channel partners worldwide as part of its global enterprise partner program. This is expanding rapidly especially in the EMM segment as the company announces further integration of BES®12, Good Dynamics and WatchDox® by BlackBerry. This single comprehensive EMM management experience allows administrators to securely manage any mobile deployment at the device, app and content layer from one secure platform, with unmatched control. BlackBerry has also introduced AtHoc for Good Dynamics, new split billing solutions with BlackBerry® WorkLife™ and WatchDox® by BlackBerry Email Protector, allowing businesses to automatically control and secure files sent through email by embedding file-level DRM protection, even after they leave the organization´s firewall.

"We are delighted to partner with BlackBerry, a trusted brand synonymous with secure mobile communications. Combining four decades of HCL Infosystems' customer management expertise with an unmatched enterprise distribution network, we are confident of benefiting businesses with the innovative BlackBerry enterprise software portfolio, providing the scale of expertise and support, and at same time creating significant opportunity for the channel,"€ said Bimal Das, Joint President, Enterprise Products Distribution Business, HCL Infosystems Ltd.

The partnership further strengthens HCL'€™s Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) alliances by significantly expanding their enterprise software portfolio with BlackBerry solutions. In addition to selling and supporting BlackBerry's enterprise software portfolio, HCL Infosystems will also provide value-added services such as technical support and consulting.

BlackBerry has over 70 security certifications globally and has just been named a Leader in the Gartner¹⁾ Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) Suites. Customers are embracing the Blackberry EMM platform because of its multi-OS support from a single console with iOS, Android (including Android for Work and Samsung KNOX), BlackBerry, Windows and Mac OS – and for any ownership model (BYOD, COPE, COBO). With its latest enhancements, Good Secure EMM Suites from BlackBerry offers simple, flexible options for customers to deploy industry-leading security across devices, apps, content and data, controlling spend and administrative overheads. For partners, it provides a recurring, subscription revenue model that delivers a customer life cycle growth opportunity as businesses continue to embrace secure mobility and productivity.

This partnership closely follows the announcement of the BlackBerry Enterprise Partner Program in May 2016, underlining BlackBerry'€™s commitment to the global channel partner network. The program includes an integrated and simplified pricing structure along with enhanced partner discounts through deal registration, and offers BlackBerry partners around the world best practices that enhance their skills to offer and support BlackBerry's cross platform security and productivity solutions.

¹⁾ Gartner "Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Mobility Management Suites"€ by Rob Smith et al, June 8, 2016.