Research In Motion (RIM) will let developers create applications for BlackBerry phones using Microsoft's .Net programming environment, continuing its efforts to broaden the capabilities of the devices.
The BlackBerry plug-in for Microsoft Visual Studio lets developers write applications that integrate with existing back-end servers through .Net Web Services, RIM said Monday. The plug-in works with the BlackBerry Mobile Data System.
The new support will open up the BlackBerry developer community to include .Net developers and could make it easier for enterprise developers to build new mobile applications for workers.
While the BlackBerry for many years was mainly a mobile e-mail device, RIM has increasingly enabled more capabilities for developing other wireless applications as it faces growing competition from companies such as Microsoft and its Windows Mobile operating system.
For example, RIM offers the Mobile Data System, an application development framework for enterprise BlackBerry users. Customers use the MDS to build applications that allow mobile workers to access standard enterprise applications from companies like SAP.
In late 2005, RIM added support for Web services but that didn't include the .Net framework.
RIM also enables a Java development environment that allows developers to use Java to build applications for the BlackBerry.
The application development support from RIM may help it hang on to existing customers and attract new ones in the face of Windows Mobile competition. Windows Mobile devices can receive push e-mail from Microsoft Exchange, which many companies already use for PC-based e-mail. By contrast, enterprise customers must buy and support a separate server from RIM in order to push e-mail out to BlackBerry users. Support for more applications than just e-mail may make the extra server more attractive to enterprise customers.
RIM will make the plug-in for Visual Studio available for free later this year.
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Strategies for Dealing With IT Complexity 24/12/2007 10:30:47
Every innovation, every business process improvement, comes with an IT complexity tax that must be paid by CIOs in time, money and sweat. Here are strategies to mitigate the increasing complexity of IT as it enables new business.Every innovation, every business process improvement, comes with an IT complexity tax that must be paid by CIOs in time, money and sweat. Here are strategies to mitigate the increasing complexity of IT as it enables new business. - +
9 Paths to Higher Performance 10/12/2007 14:09:23
When an organization brings together talented people in a creative, collaborative environment it fosters a culture of high performance, which in turn leads to superior business resultsLike high-achieving individuals, some organizations seem to have the Midas touch. Virtually every initiative they touch earns them gold and even those that fail never seem to cost them much of anything at all
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Computerworld Live Podcast #97: The Future of Enterprise Networking 25/07/2008 09:45:36
This week CW Live chats with Mark Thompson, global sales and marketing manager for HP ProCurve, on the future of the enterprise networking. Mark discusses the trends we can expect to see in the near future and how the right infrastructure can ensure your enterprise network is secure. - +
Computerworld Live Podcast #96: Security at the Edge 11/06/2008 09:22:22
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This week we look at sustainability and the development of multicore technologies to build multi-petascale systems. - +
IT Security Edition #11: How to poison the Storm botnet 01/05/2008 08:51:55
This week CW Live presents a case study on how to poison the notorious Storm botnet . Plus we take a look at Cisco's plans for Ironport. - +
IT Security Edition #10: Cyber-battles fought and won 24/04/2008 11:09:47
Vendors bow to end user pressure to improve product security, and we take a look at the latest concepts shaping the cyber-battlefield of the future.
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Data grids and service-oriented architecture
When choosing an SOA strategy, corporations must ensure data availability, reliability, performance and scalability. A data grid infrastructure, built with clustered caching provides a framework for improved data access that can create a competitive edge and sustain customer loyalty. Read on to discover how this can be created within your organisation.
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