BlackBerry to acquire crisis communications provider AtHoc

Ontario-based BlackBerry Ltd has decided to acquire AtHoc to enhance its software offerings and increase its revenue. California-based AtHoc is a privately-held provider of secure, networked crisis communications.

The buyout is expected to help BlackBerry improve revenues from its BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) messaging services. The transaction is expected to be completed by November. AtHoc's services help organizations and people share information during business continuity and rescue efforts.

In an interview, BlackBerry Chief Executive John Chen explained the value of acquiring AtHoc for both companies.

"It is an alerts system, but it also needs richer content and that can be provided by BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), which offers not just text, but voice, picture and video sharing, so we can provide a much richer experience to their clients", Chen said.

AtHoc provides its services to the US Department of Defense, Homeland Security and a host of blue-chip companies.

Commenting on the latest buyout by BlackBerry, Guy Miasnik, CEO of AtHoc, was optimistic. "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", he said.

AtHock offers software that seamlessly allows its customers to reach staff via their smart phones, or via digital displays, radios, and even sirens, in times of crisis.

Saying that large marquee clients of AtHock will complement BlackBerry's customer base, Chen considers AtHock, with its messaging alerts, as "the next piece in the puzzle".

The acquisition strategy helped BlackBerry improve its earnings levels as the acquired company enable it to offer more value-added service.

BlackBerry in April announced its plans to acquire WatchDox. The privately-held software maker WatchDox offers securing files and these services are used by major federal agencies, private equity firms and Hollywood studios.

In 2014, Blackberry bought out Secusmart, a German firm that specializes in voice and data encryption and British tech start-up Movirtu, whose software allows users to have two phone numbers on the same device with a single SIM card.