Research in Motion Strategic Review

Strategy, Performance, Strengths and Limitations of RIM in the Smartphone Market

This Research Brief provides a strategic review of RIM’s performance in the smartphone market. It highlights RIM’s strategies and assesses the company’s performance in recent years and quarters. It also compares RIM’s performance to that of other key smartphone vendors including Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and Palm. The study also provides key performance indicators including handset shipments, ASPs, and market-share data. Further, it discusses the key success factors and limitations of RIM in the smartphone market.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary,

Section 1.
STRATEGIC OVERVIEW
1.1. Recent RIM News
1.2. Company Background
1.3. Company-Wide Strategy
1.4. Mobile Devices Strategy
1.5. OS Strategy

Section 2.
PERFORMANCE OF RIM IN THE SMARTPHONE MARKET
2.1. Assessment of RIM’s Recent Performance
2.1.1. Handset Shipments Analysis
2.1.2. Handset ASP Analysis
2.1.3. BlackBerry Subscriber Account Growth
2.2. RIM Compared to Other Key Smartphone Vendors

Section 3.
RIM’S SUCCESS FACTORS
3.1. Focus on the Smartphone Market
3.2. Most Desired Email-Based Smartphones
3.3. Partnership with Large Number of Mobile Operators
3.4. Largest Smartphone Vendor in North America
3.5. Higher and More Stable Handset ASPs

Section 4.
RIM’S LIMITATIONS
4.1. Low Presence Outside of North America and Europe
4.2. Handset Design and UI Limitations
4.3. Limited Manufacturing and R&D Capabilities
4.4. Hardware Limitations