BlackBerry's Consolidation Into A Single Platform

BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ: BBRY) has announced a mobile-security platform for a variety of Internet of Things (IoT) devices connected to enterprises. The platform, known as BlackBerry Secure, represents a step taken by the company from “a hodge podge of products to a single platform,” Wells Fargo analysts said in a report.

Over the past two years, BlackBerry had made several acquisitions including Good Technology, Encription, AtHoc, WatchDox, Secusmart and Movirtu. The aim has been to transform BlackBerry into an end-point security software solutions company.

BlackBerry Secure

The latest unveiling of BlackBerry Secure represents an “integration of its acquisitions into a single backward compatible platform,” which would enable BlackBerry to create “a more effective marketing program, allow customers to better understand and manage BBRY's offerings, and help its sales people/partners go to market,” the analysts commented.

BlackBerry also indicated that the future capabilities of the platform may include messaging and analytics.

The Wall Street Journal quoted CEO John Chen as saying that BlackBerry was on track to growing its software business by 30 percent this year. The Wells Fargo analysts mentioned, however, that the Street's FY 2018 software forecast of 20 percent year-over-year growth could prove to be aggressive target in the absence of further acquisitions.

“Although we believe the company is taking the right steps in its transformation, we maintain our Market Perform rating,” the analysts added.

At last check, BlackBerry shares were up 0.7 percent at $7.89.