This integrated offering includes enhancements to the BlackBerry® Device Software, BlackBerry® Enterprise Server and Ascendent® Voice Mobility Suite from Ascendent Systems (a subsidiary of RIM) and allows BlackBerry smartphone users to be securely authenticated to the enterprise telephony system (PBX).

The new BlackBerry Mobile Voice System encompasses:

• BlackBerry® MVS Client   (a component of BlackBerry® Device Software)
• BlackBerry® MVS Connectors (a component of BlackBerry® Enterprise Server)
• Ascendent Voice Mobility Suite (a software suite that interfaces with heterogeneous PBXs)

BlackBerry® MVS enables access to PBX functions directly from the menu interface of the BlackBerry phone application and makes it easy for enterprise users to use their BlackBerry smartphone as a secure mobile extension of their desk phone⁽ⁱ⁾.

With a new intuitive menu interface, BlackBerry smartphone users can place, receive and manage enterprise calls from their handset with ease. The user’s corporate identity (caller ID) is extended to the handset and allows users to give out one “Reach Me Anywhere” phone number that simultaneously rings their desk phone and BlackBerry smartphone. Mobile users are also able to access desk phone functions such as transfer, park, and extension dialing directly from the BlackBerry phone menu.  

BlackBerry MVS also leverages the standard security features, IT policies and system management functionality provided within the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution, extending the administrative tools and services of the BlackBerry platform to the Ascendent Voice Mobility Suite. Among key security benefits is the ability to automatically authenticate mobile users to the PBX to help ensure that only authorized users and devices are accessing the corporate telephony system.   Further, since calls are routed through the corporate PBX, any calls placed from a BlackBerry smartphone can now be logged or recorded for compliance with applicable corporate and regulatory requirements.

“RIM’s ability to deliver a robust, feature-rich platform that securely integrates with enterprise data systems has always been a major contributing factor to the success of the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. “The ability to now deliver the same value proposition for both voice and data systems provides another unique dimension to the BlackBerry platform and presents another major opportunity for customers to maximize their return on wireless investments.”

"Fixed Mobile Convergence promises the opportunity for organizations to better support their mobile workers and improve productivity," said Gene Signorini, Vice President, Enterprise Applications & Mobile Solutions at Yankee Group.  "In order to enable full-scale deployments within enterprises, a voice mobility solution must offer the ability to address IT security and telecom policies while also delivering a simplified experience for the mobile worker."

Key features of BlackBerry MVS include:

1. Seamless convergence of BlackBerry smartphones with office desk phones - uses existing corporate phone number, and maintains one “Reach Me Anywhere” phone number for the user.
2. Office desk phone functionality while mobile - supports extension dialing, transfer, park and consolidated voicemail.
3. Intuitive menu-driven interface - makes placing and receiving enterprise calls and accessing desk phone functionality amazingly simple.
4. Secure mobile desk phone - authenticates callers with the telephony system.
5. IT controls - allows an organization to route all calls through the telephony system for billing / audit purposes.
6. Works in heterogeneous PBX environments - supports IP, TDM or mixed vendor environments.

BlackBerry MVS will be previewed at the Wireless Enterprise Symposium 2007 in Orlando, Florida this week and is expected to be available from RIM and Ascendent Systems later this month.