WATERLOO – BlackBerry is buying networked crisis communication provider AtHoc, offering customers new capabilities for safety, security and mission-critical business communication. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
As a provider to the U.S. Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, AtHoc’s software platform enables people, devices and organizations to exchange critical information in real time during business continuity and life safety operations. The platform can alert any device, including iOS, Android, PC and Mac desktops, radios, IP phones, and endpoints such as sirens, fire panels and speakers, to help organizations and people to connect and share information in times of crisis.
"BlackBerry is making strategic investments in security, privacy and the Internet of Things, and acquiring AtHoc will enable us to provide a holistic, end-to-end approach to communications," said executive chairman and CEO John Chen, in Wednesday’s news release. "We have a proud history of securing mission-critical communications for the public sector as well as enterprises operating in the most highly regulated industries. AtHoc's technology and expertise will play a key role as BlackBerry works to connect and secure a broad range of endpoints."
"AtHoc and BlackBerry share a common vision of a securely connected world," added AtHoc president and CEO Guy Miasnik. "Federal departments, state and local agencies, and commercial enterprises alike depend on AtHoc to communicate reliably during their most critical moments. Becoming part of BlackBerry will give us the ability to scale more quickly to expand our global reach and introduce new applications for the AtHoc platform, while continuing to serve our government and enterprise customers."
