BlackBerry launched BBM Enterprise SDK (software development kit) on Thursday to facilitate developers with integrating secure messaging and voice & video capabilities into applications and services, according to ET. The new platform has several benefits to offer such as enterprise-grade security, built-in redundancies and global network coverage to help ensure optimal performance.
One platform, many benefits
BlackBerry decided to open up its secure Messenger software to app developers as part of its effort to generate money from its legacy technology. Integrating secure messaging, file sharing, voice and video calls, and push notifications into the apps they make are some of the benefits that the BBM Enterprise software development kit (SDK) will offer.
BBM Enterprise has marked BlackBerry’s entry into the Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) market, allowing it to compete with other cloud communications platforms by presenting enterprises’ and developers’ APIs, which can be used to enhance overall business processes, the Canadian firm BlackBerry in a statement.
BlackBerry’s Chief Operating Officer, Marty Beard, said, “We are constantly innovating and looking for ways to leverage our legacy and expertise in secure mobility to solve real business problems.”
According to Beard, the company is opening up a new revenue stream to a fully cloud-based communication service. This service has been designed to help developers, enterprises and ISVs to meet the most demanding security and compliance requirements.
BlackBerry opening a new revenue stream
BlackBerry has taken another step in its journey towards adding new revenue streams with the release of the BBM Enterprise SDK. The Canadian firm hopes to use the intellectual property and technology developed for its popular consumer messaging app BBM, and sell it to enterprises.
This latest move puts the Canadian firm in direct competition with Twilio, a company that offers a similar platform for businesses and went public recently, notes CNBC. BlackBerry has a good history in the security space and is counting on it to attract customers. Industries such as healthcare, law enforcement and financial services have demand for SDK, and there are already companies that wish to use it, the Canadian firm says.
The BBM Enterprise SDK has more than 80 security certifications, giving it the highest level of security for messages, video and voice for both iOS and Android.
Last year, the company ceased making smartphones and instead licensed its intellectual property to partners wishing to make BlackBerry-branded hardware. CEO John Chen intends to turn BlackBerry into a software-only company, and this latest move will help him continue this effort.
