The New Secret Weapon for Business and Technology
BLACKBERRY
Yesterday, it was the PDA. Tomorrow, well, who knows.
Today, though, it is the Blackberry.
More and more, blackberries are being used in the workplace.
They are very clever little devices and have a host of
applications.
So, what is a blackberry?
The Blackberry website defines the blackberry as a combination
of "award winning devices, software and services to keep mobile
professionals in touch with the people, data and resources that
drive their day." A better definition might be to define the
blackberry as a hand-held device which serves as a personal
organizer, wireless Internet browser, cellular phone,
speakerphone, long-range digital walkie-talkie, and mini-laptop
which can send and receive email correspondence from just about
anywhere.
The features, of course, depend on the particular model.
Who is Using Blackberry?
The use of Blackberry has exploded in many industries from
police departments to construction companies to Madison Avenue
advertising agencies. Just last year, the http://www.NJLawman.com
website covered a story where the Los Angeles Police Department
put 200 units into operation for their senior commanders. The
idea behind it was to free these officers from their computers
allowing them to spend more time in the field.
Blackberries come in all sizes and shapes with many uses in
mind. Clearly, industries needing the ability to communicate
sensitive information were considered during the initial
planning.
Triple DES and AES encryption are available for both the
Blackberry servers and the Blackberry units themselves.
Additional software and applications are also available from
several companies.
This, obviously, is a sought feature for organizations requiring
that extra level of security.
There is an large amount of software available for Blackberry
devices, and some were specifically designed for specific
industries. In fact, there are too many to mention, but it is to
the point where you can do just about anything on your
Blackberry that you can do on your pc computer.
For example, in the law enforcement field a suspect can be run
through a nationwide warrant system by a police officer from the
comfort of the officer's horse. Narcotics officers who have just
executed a search warrant can pull up pictures of arrested
persons to compare with the suspects in the house. Detectives
can run license plates without ever using the radio. Commanders
can call into headquarters from a crime scene and use the
speakerphone feature so others can participate in the
conversation.
All of this is from a device about the size of a cell phone.
For private industry, there are even more available features,
and new ones are added every day.
Blackberries range in price from $99. to $500. and can be
purchased in both retail stores and online.
If you are looking to research a purchase, you should contact a
Blackberry representative to determine exactly which model and
software you need for your purposes and which pricing plan would
be right for you.
Technology is the future, and right now the future in
communications is Blackberry.