Lotus coming to BlackBerry handsets

A web-based version of Lotus Communications will be added to all BlackBerry handsets

IBM has become the latest company to strike a deal with BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM).

The two companies have teamed up to add a web-based version of IBM's Lotus Communications suite to all BlackBerry handsets.

The announcement comes just one day after RIM announced a deal with Microsoft to put Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger services on future BlackBerry devices.

"As the world enters the era of the mobile web, devices like the BlackBerry are outnumbering TVs, credit cards and PCs, and are becoming increasingly critical to business operations for companies of all sizes," said Bob Picciano, general manager of IBM's Lotus Software branch.

Under the terms of the deal, IBM will make available its social networking, calendar and instant messaging services to BlackBerry users.

The company will also offer a version of Lotus's dashboard and portal components, along with its Cognos Go business intelligence software.

Both companies hope that the partnership will make it easier for businesses to set up and manage the devices, as well as beef up security.

"The organisational and personal benefits of the Lotus collaboration suite, together with the mobility and security advantages of the Blackberry platform, provide an unmatched solution for enterprise customers," said RIM co-chief executive Jim Balsillie.