RIM Acquires Ascendent Systems
Acquisition Enables RIM to Deliver Enhanced Voice Solutions to Enterprise Customers
San Jose, CA and Waterloo, ON - Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced it has acquired Ascendent Systems, a leading provider of solutions that simplify voice mobility implementations in the enterprise. Ascendent, a member of the BlackBerry® ISV Alliance Program, makes the Ascendent® Voice Mobility Suite, a standards-based software solution that augments existing PBX (Private Branch Exchange) and IP-PBX (Internet Protocol Private Branch Exchange) systems and supports heterogeneous telephony environments to "push" voice calls and extend corporate desk phone functionality to mobile users on their wireless handset or any wireline phone. Ascendent will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of RIM. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“The Ascendent Voice Mobility Suite is a perfect complement to the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution. This deal allows us to further extend and enhance the use of wireless communications in the enterprise by offering a voice mobility solution that helps customers align their mobile voice and data strategies,” said Jim Balsillie, Chairman and Co-CEO at RIM.
“We developed a solution that extends the identity, security and manageability of the corporate desk phone to the wireless phone. It allows enterprises to be more responsive to their customers, encourages collaboration and increases sales opportunities by providing a mobile user with many essential PBX functions as if the user was at their desk,” said Debbie Miller, CEO, Ascendent Systems.
Ascendent Voice Mobility Suite is a feature rich solution that provides single number reach, consolidation and access to a single voice mail box, and extends desk phone functionality such as PBX dial tone, call transfer and hold, 4 or 5 digit dialing and conference calling capabilities to mobile users. It provides a consistent experience across a mix of telephony systems and simplifies the migration to newer IP-PBX systems. The solution is also SIP-enabled for VoIP and supports BlackBerry WLAN deployments. Ascendent’s solution has been especially well-received by enterprises with heterogeneous telephony environments and customers that also deploy BlackBerry.
In addition to working with RIM, Ascendent has established relationships with mobile carriers and a variety of other technology leaders including Cisco, Intel and Microsoft. For more information about Ascendent Systems, please visit www.ascendentsystems.com.
About Research In Motion (RIM)
Research In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIM’s portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities laws relating to RIM’s plans and expectations regarding its acquisition of Ascendent and the anticipated benefits of such acquisition. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by RIM in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that RIM believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, in particular, risks relating to RIM’s ability to integrate the acquired company into its operations, its ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition and other risks described in the "Risk Factors" section of RIM’s Annual Information Form for fiscal 2005, which is included in its Annual Report on Form 40-F for fiscal 2005 (copies of which filings may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov). These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on RIM’s forward-looking statements. RIM has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. Ascendent is a registered trademark of Ascendent Telecommunications, Inc. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. RIM assumes no liability and makes no representation, warranty or guarantee in relation to third party products.
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