WATERLOO, Ontario—BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd. continued to make noise during its Wireless Enterprise Symposium this week, announcing a deal with business software vendor BEA Systems Inc. to extend Web service applications to BlackBerry devices, as well as original equipment manufacturer agreements with Melard Technologies and Panasonic Computer Solutions Company.
Under RIM’s deal with BEA, the companies plan to develop tools for programmers to build Web-based corporate applications that can be accessed using BlackBerry devices. The service will be based on BEA’s WebLogic Enterprise Platform, and programmers will use BEA’s WebLogic Workshop to develop Web service applications.
Web services has become a hot topic in the enterprise software market. Microsoft Corp. Sun Microsystems Inc. and others have introduced products and strategies for Web services, many of which include wireless device extensions.
RIM also announced Melard and Panasonic will use RIM radio modems for GSM/GPRS networks in upcoming wireless devices. RIM recently announced it would sell its radio modem platform to other device makers, a move several other wireless device manufacturers have taken.
