RIM, SAP  Integrate CRM, BlackBerry Solution

May 15, 2009

SAP and RIM have made available an integrated solution that provides customers with anytime, anywhere access to the SAP Customer Relationship Management application on BlackBerry smartphones.

As enterprise mobility using smartphones becomes a business necessity, SAP and RIM are working to address the needs and expectations of business users through an integrated solution that enables secure real-time access to SAP CRM. The integrated solution benefits organizations with enhanced employee productivity and service while empowering mobile users with the ability to access critical customer information on the go. The integrated solution also leverages the inherent security, management capabilities and efficiency of the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution, and introduces a number of key innovations for mobile CRM, including:

Instant Access to Up-to-Date Information – In just one or two clicks, users can gain access to up-to-date client information from a BlackBerry smartphone, including contacts, sales leads and logged activities. This seamless and intuitive CRM experience is made possible through deep integration between the SAP CRM application, the BlackBerry Sales Client for SAP CRM and core BlackBerry smartphone applications.

Push-Based Notifications – The new solution can automatically deliver or “push” all customer data updates in the SAP CRM system immediately to the user, as well as push sales leads immediately to the sales representative’s BlackBerry smartphone inbox with one-click access to the new information.

Access to CRM Data Anytime, Anywhere – Users rely on their BlackBerry smartphones for access to people and information on the go. This new solution enables contacts and account information to be continuously accessible on BlackBerry smartphones, and a local cache system allows access to certain information even if the user is outside of network coverage.

Industry-Leading Security – Established enterprise application security from SAP combined with the renowned wireless security of the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution provides end-to-end encryption to help protect confidential customer information whether stored on a BlackBerry smartphone, in transit or in the SAP CRM application. IT administrators can also securely deploy the BlackBerry Sales Client for SAP CRM to users over-the-air.

“The integration of SAP CRM with BlackBerry smartphones provides simple, quick mobile access to customer information,” said Bob Stutz, corporate officer and member of the Executive Council, SAP AG. “SAP and RIM have converged the worlds of applications and mobility on BlackBerry smartphones, empowering mobile users through continuous access to essential information that leads to increased sales, service, effectiveness and overall performance. We look forward to our continuing co-innovation with RIM to support mobile workers in reaping the benefits of real-time mobile access to enterprise applications in a secure setting.”

“SAP and RIM are setting a new standard for mobile CRM with a highly refined and secure user experience that will enable even greater adoption,” said Jim Balsillie, co-CEO, Research In Motion. “This innovative new solution elegantly extends valuable customer information in SAP CRM to BlackBerry smartphones by leveraging the BlackBerry platform’s core strengths, including reliability, real-time push technology, deep application integration and market-leading security. Together, we are delivering the best in enterprise mobility.”