Deutsche Bank finally ditches BlackBerry devices, opts for iPhones
What's the story
Deutsche Bank AG will finally let go of the Blackberry devices that it has been issuing to its staff for office purposes; they will now be replaced with iPhones. In its heyday, Blackberry used to be the norm in the banking sector. However, it's quite surprising that this premier banking institution kept on using them even in this 'modern' age. Here's more.
Blackberry
Outdated devices
According to reports, the firm's employees were increasingly letting go of their Blackberry devices, which the bank had issued, in favor of the devices that they bought under the firm's Bring-Your-Own-Device policy. Sources say that even some of the clients had made fun of Deutsche Bank for still using the outdated Blackberry phones.
Choice
Why did banks use Blackberry?
Blackberry's mobile devices and software offered the most secure end-to-end mobile infrastructure in those days. Their devices also came bundled with the most secure management software and network known back then. Therefore, it was a favorite and a norm for large banks, global leaders, and G7 governments, until more such secure devices started entering the market.
Deutsche Bank
But, no one actually used it
Although Deutsche Bank held onto their BlackBerry devices longer than any of the business organizations, its CEO, John Cryan, uses an iPad for the bulk of his work. Blackberry and banks used to be synonymous, once. Blackberry's use in the banking sector started to wane after Apple came out with its first iPhone in 2007. Deutsche took 10 long years to accept them.
Goodbye
A proper goodbye
Blackberry itself ended the production of its smartphones last year following dismal sales. It sold the rights to manufacture BlackBerry-branded phones to a Chinese company, TCL. The company's spokesperson Sarah McKinney said to Bloomberg, via email, "Deutsche Bank's decision to use other devices has been expected and doesn't change our relationship." Moreover, the new iPhones make use of BlackBerry's device-management software.