RIM is Looking to Sell Cloud Service Provider NewBay, Potentially Other Assets as Well


By: Kuljit Grewal  |   August 16th, 2012   |   Business, News, O Canada

Part of RIM’s current CEO Thorsten Heins’ less than enviable job is a full scale strategic review of the company’s strategy, assets and business streams. The process involves difficult decisions that allow the company to both right the ship as soon as possible so that the company has a chance at the future.

 

According to source with knowledge of the review process, RIM is strongly considering liquidating cloud service provider NewBay and other assets. RIM acquired the cloud-based photo, video and social networking company in October of 2011 for a reported $100 million during a period when RIM was looking to diversify their strategy. It seems sadly that little has changed since then for the Canadian company.

 

According to the Reuters, RIM had planned to parlay NewBay’s technology in order to boost service revenues by charging carriers for use of its messaging, content delivery and analytics services. The Irish company was a considerable coup at the time, already boasting 80 million subscribers. The company made its mettle by using its own servers to deliver content via internet to various mobile devices.

 

The issue that remains to be seen for RIM is whether NewBay will still be able to garner a nine figure acquisition price. Companies know that the BlackBerry maker is in a less than stellar position, losing clients, sales and market share day by day. This would hypothetically allow them to get a bargain deal on the asset should it come to that. According to CNet, RIM is not commenting on selling the company, stating that they do not comment on speculative acquisitions and divesitures. We shouldn’t have to wait too long to find out.

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