BlackBerry Limited, a global leader in mobile communications, today launched its comprehensive Internet of Things (IoT) platform, initially targeting the automotive and asset tracking industries. The BlackBerry® IoT Platform will leverage the company’s extensive technology portfolio, extending its best-in-class security and reliability to emerging IoT applications.
The BlackBerry IoT Platform combines technology from QNX Software Systems, a BlackBerry company whose software powers mission-critical embedded systems in cars, industrial applications, and medical devices, with BlackBerry’s secure network infrastructure and device lifecycle management software. The BlackBerry global network infrastructure today handles approximately 35 petabytes of mobile data per month in data centers located around the world and manages peering connections with more than 300 mobile operators and 400 partner networks worldwide.
“The BlackBerry IoT Platform blends the technologies that have enabled BlackBerry to become a leader in both the mobile data security and embedded systems industries,” said Matt Hoffman, VP of Strategy and Marketing, BlackBerry Technology Solutions. “By combining the BlackBerry global network and device lifecycle management proficiency with the embedded software experience of QNX, we have built a modular, cloud-based platform that gives customers the chance to build IoT applications in a secure, efficient and scalable way. Looking ahead, we will extend the platform with other BlackBerry technologies to give developers additional control over the flow of information to devices on the network’s edge.”
An efficient, scalable messaging system forms the foundation of the BlackBerry IoT Platform and is responsible for its highly responsive performance. The system serves as the message bus for additional platform modules by delivering reusable services including: BlackBerry’s gold standard security; instantaneous data indexing and storage for reliable real-time intelligence; integrated analytics for data visualization; and fine-grained permissions that enable every action, message and data object to be validated.
The BlackBerry IoT modules provide rich functionality for data collection, including time-of-service and maintenance records, and device lifecycle management. The lifecycle management module comprises three main elements — over the air (OTA) software update, application enablement and log collection — designed to accelerate device deployment and extend the longevity of in-field devices. By leveraging the platform foundation and using these pre-built modules only as needed, an organization can efficiently create a customized IoT solution.
The BlackBerry IoT Platform is initially targeted at industries that manage highly mobile, high-value resources, including the shipping and automotive markets. The platform’s asset tracking and connected car applications targeting those markets are just the first step in BlackBerry’s broad and expanding IoT strategy. The BlackBerry IoT platform will also be extended into the smart energy sector and the healthcare field.
