Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BlackBerry Acquiring AtHoc to Enable Secure Mass Communication and Collaboration
Networked crisis communications leader broadens BlackBerry's portfolio of secure solutions for the connected world
Waterloo, Ontario – September 23, 2015 – BlackBerry Limited (NASDAQ: BBRY; TSX: BB), a global leader in secure mobile communications, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of AtHoc, a leading provider of secure, networked crisis communications. AtHoc will operate as a division of BlackBerry. AtHoc's Chief Executive Officer, Guy Miasnik, will lead the division as part of BlackBerry's senior leadership team reporting to John Chen, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
The AtHoc software platform enables people, devices and organizations to exchange critical information in real time during business continuity and life safety operations. The platform securely connects with a diverse set of endpoints, including mobile devices running iOS and Android, PC and Mac desktops, digital displays, radios, IP phones, sirens, fire panels and speakers to facilitate collaboration and enhance situational awareness. AtHoc is recognized as a "Leader" by industry analyst firm Gartner, and at the highest position for ability to execute on the firm's Magic Quadrant for U.S. Emergency/Mass Notification Services1.
AtHoc has customers around the world in both the public and private sectors, and is the leading crisis communications provider to the U.S. Departments of Defense (DoD) and Homeland Security (DHS). AtHoc helps safeguard millions of people and thousands of organizations, including leading international corporations in high technology, heavy industry, and other mission critical industries including healthcare institutions and the vast majority of U.S. federal agencies – including the U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. Department of Energy, the Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration.
The company most recently announced that it has been selected by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a component agency of the DHS, to provide crisis communications for all TSA staff across more than 200 major airports. More organizations are becoming aware of the need for mass communication and collaboration with new legislation such as the DHS Interoperable Communications Act. AtHoc is well positioned to support compliance with this law, which requires homeland security agencies to maintain interoperable communications for daily operations, planned events and emergencies.
AtHoc technology enhances BlackBerry's mission to provide secure communication solutions for the connected world. It will integrate with BlackBerry's enterprise portfolio of cross-platform solutions and trusted global network to enable new capabilities for safety, security and mission-critical business communications. For example, new applications may include integrating AtHoc solutions with WatchDox for secure distribution of confidential documents during emergency situations. As part of BlackBerry's value added solutions, AtHoc's current portfolio will continue to be made available, including solutions such as AtHoc Connect™, which enable organizations to create their own secure, permission-based communities of individuals and groups that share critical messages and rich media during a crisis to rapidly resolve emergencies in real time assuring business continuity and support for life safety operations.
For more information about BlackBerry and AtHoc, please visit www.blackberry.com/athoc.
[1] Gartner Magic Quadrant for U.S. Emergency/Mass Notification Services, 31 March 2014, Gartner
About BlackBerry
BlackBerry is securing a connected world, delivering innovative solutions across the entire mobile ecosystem and beyond. We secure the world's most sensitive data across all end points – from cars to smartphones – making the mobile-first enterprise vision a reality. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, BlackBerry operates offices in North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America. The Company trades under the ticker symbols "BB" on the Toronto Stock Exchange and "BBRY" on the NASDAQ. For more information, visit www.BlackBerry.com.
About AtHoc
AtHoc, a division of BlackBerry Limited, is the pioneer and recognized leader in networked crisis communication, protecting millions of people and thousands of organizations around the world. AtHoc provides a seamless and reliable exchange of critical information among organizations, their people and devices. A trusted partner to the world's most demanding customers, AtHoc is the leading provider to the U.S. Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, and safeguards numerous other government agencies and leading commercial enterprises. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, the company operates around the globe. For more information about AtHoc, please visit www.athoc.com.
Media Contact:
BlackBerry Media Relations
(519) 597-7273
mediarelations@BlackBerry.com
Investor Contact:
BlackBerry Investor Relations
(519) 888-7465
investor_relations@BlackBerry.com
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Connecting People, Devices and Organizations: BlackBerry's Acquisition of AtHoc is Complete
Sept 23, 2015
Today formally marks the completion of BlackBerry's acquisition of AtHoc – a leading provider of secure, networked crisis communications. As we know firsthand from our interview with Guy Miasnik and Marty Beard, BlackBerry and AtHoc together are a powerful force, giving BlackBerry the ability to deliver new solutions to our customers that will enhance safety, security and mission-critical communications.
With this acquisition finalized, BlackBerry continues to build out a unique and strong suite of products and services that address the needs of our enterprise customers. AtHoc – recognized as a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for U.S. Emergency/Mass Notification Systems – together with BlackBerry will provide a powerful, secure and reliable platform for our commercial, as well as security conscious and highly regulated customers to coordinate and collaborate more effectively in real time.
One great example of how BlackBerry will integrate with AtHoc is with WatchDox by BlackBerry. Imagine a targeted, secure alert that will enable companies to distribute confidential data during an emergency situation, and give them the ability to audit the usage. The opportunities to assure a safer, more secure world are endless.
Enterprises around the world in both the private and public sectors trust AtHoc to help them mitigate risk, ensure business continuity, account for their personnel during and after a crisis, and meet compliance requirements. Eastman Chemical, Warner Brothers and Microsoft use AtHoc to protect their employees, as do healthcare providers Kaiser Permanente, Baylor Scott & White and Children's National Medical Center. AtHoc also protects more than 70% of the US federal government agencies, including the United States Departments Defense, Homeland Security, and Human and Health Services; and recently, the Parliament of Canada has implemented AtHoc for its crisis communication needs.
AtHoc will operate as a division of BlackBerry. AtHoc's CEO, Guy Miasnik, will continue to lead the company as the division's President and as member of BlackBerry's senior leadership team.
We are extremely pleased to officially welcome AtHoc and are excited about the possibilities ahead and the enhancements this will bring to the BlackBerry secure communication and collaboration portfolio. For more information, please visit www.blackberry.com/athoc.
