Research In Motion Ltd. announced Dell Computer Corp. will begin reselling its BlackBerry wireless e-mail solution at the end of the month. BlackBerry allows users to remotely send and receive e-mail from the Inter@ctive Pager wireless device.
Dell integrates and sells customized computing system solutions. Whatever components a customer wants, Dell will provide and sell in one complete package-such as the keyboards, processors, monitor, video cards, memory, speakers, mouse, etc. RIM hopes the addition of its wireless e-mail access device and service to the range of computing products available from Dell will prove valuable to customers.
“BlackBerry, the leading wireless e-mail solution, will now be available from Dell, the leading direct computer systems company,” said Jim Balsillie, chairman and co-chief executive officer of RIM. “RIM’s vision for the evolution of the information appliance focuses on complementing the PC and integrating with the enterprise, which is a good fit with Dell’s commitment to supply its customers with integrated, end-to-end systems.”
Also important to RIM is the branding strength Dell commands, according to Darryl Sterling, senior analyst at the Yankee Group. He said Internet e-commerce will soon make commodities of both products and services because they will be available from virtually any provider. The product itself will not be important, he said, but who you buy it from will.
“The fact that RIM is partnering with Dell shows RIM’s vision of who they think will lead this space in the future,” Sterling said. “Dell’s business model has created strong brand in a soon-to-be commoditized Internet economy. Branding and co-branded relationships are going to be very important. The point is, Dell is a strong brand and basically that’s a good relationship for any wireless company to team up with.”
Dell’s concentration on the Internet space is evident in the distribution deals it has formed with Internet service providers espernet.com and RCN Corp. Also distributing the BlackBerry solution are w-Trade Technologies Inc., GoAmerica and ReachNet.
