IBM apps available for the BlackBerry

Offers access to Lotus and Cognos software

15 May 2008 12:51 GMT / By Katie Scott

IBM is making its business solutions, including the Cognos business intelligence software and Lotus Connections, available to BlackBerry users.

IBM has worked with RIM on providing solutions for its smartphones but the launch of the latest model, the Bold (or 9000), which is aimed squarely at high-end and demanding business users, may have prompted this move.

“We think this is a trend that is happening in the industry where you’re taking enterprise applications and wanting to carry them around on a handheld as well as get them on laptops”, said Kevin Cavanaugh, vice president of Lotus software for IBM.

BlackBerry owners simply have to visit a web page from their device and will be offered a link to download an application which will then allow them to access IBM software, including Cognos 8 Go software, a version of the business intelligence software designed for the BlackBerry.

Other IBM software that runs on the device includes Lotus Notes 8.01, the WebSphere portal and dashboard software, and the latest version of Sametime, the instant messaging client.