Andreas Ponte is CEO at Swiss IT solutions provider Belsoft Collaboration AG.
An avid BlackBerry user who blogs about his affinity for BlackBerry tech, Ponte caught our attention after he tweeted about the positive reaction his BlackBerry Passport and BlackBerry Blend received from peers at a recent meeting.
Credit: Andreas Ponte
This Zurich resident credits the productivity boost of using Passport and Blend together for giving him the time to live off the clock and enjoy the rich cultural experiences offered in his region.
(Read our other interviews with other power professionals happy with their Passport, including celebrity chef Tyler Florence, this serial tech entrepreneur, IT consultant, real estate agent, senior hospital executive, manufacturing executive, non-profit founder, software engineer, tech journalist, legal administrator, pharmaceutical CEO, software manager, insurance salesman, corporate IT manager and these workers from multiple industries.)
Brea Watts: What sold you on the BlackBerry Passport?
Ponte: Initially I was curious because of the form factor and the keyboard, then I read customer reviews and became really interested. My Z10 was also starting to show its age so I thought this would be the perfect upgrade.
Watts: What piqued your colleagues’ interest about BlackBerry Passport and BlackBerry Blend?
Ponte: The BlackBerry Passport only had to sit on a table to make people gawk at the screen size and keyboard. Many people at that particular event were using Q10 devices and were looking for a keyboard device again. I showed my peers some functions of the adaptive keyboard and they were impressed. After trying it for themselves they were hooked.
I also showed them how easy it is to access files stored on the internal network without the need to use a VPN by using BlackBerry Blend. The fact that you don’t need to install any software other then BlackBerry Blend on all of your devices was a great selling point.
Watts: What type of work have you accomplished with the BlackBerry Passport?
Ponte: Shortly after I got the BlackBerry Passport I went on a business trip for a two-day conference. I brought my laptop with me but I barely touched it. I answered all of messages, took notes, modified documents, practiced my presentation, took pictures and so on.
Shot taken using Ponte’s BlackBerry Passport Credit: Andreas Ponte
The amazing battery life got me throughout the day without needing to recharge at all. Since then I’ve reduced my need to use a laptop, especially while traveling.
Watts: Can you describe how BlackBerry Blend has been useful to your job?
Ponte: It’s a time saver that makes getting work done more efficient and flawless.
I used to constantly send myself files, pictures etc. to get information and data from one device to the other. But with BlackBerry Blend I can directly access the files, transfer them or attach them directly to an email.
I’m able to access files which are stored in the office without needing to connect via VPN on my laptop or tablet through BlackBerry Work Drive. Just a few days ago I was working from home and needed to check text and BBM messages but had misplaced my BlackBerry. Instead of wasting time looking for it, I just used BlackBerry Blend from my desktop to get my messages and information.
I really love the BlackBerry Hub because I get all of my messages – email, BBM, social streams and more in one space. With BlackBerry Blend and the BlackBerry Passport I don’t have to login all these places just to connect with several clients.
Watts: It seems you’ve gotten a considerable productivity bump with the BlackBerry Passport and BlackBerry Blend.
Ponte: Definitely! As I mentioned before, it’s much easier to work and interact with data with the combination of the two.
I’m able to write and prepare more items with the BlackBerry Passport because the keyboard is that great and allows for very quick typing.
Watts: How would you rate it?
Ponte: Outstanding!
The BlackBerry Passport and BlackBerry Blend with the functionality of BlackBerry OS 10.3, the Hub, and the battery life are perfect for all of my needs.
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Smart IT managers know that there are three very good alternatives to BYOD. But what are the strengths and weaknesses of mobile deployment models such as CYOD), COPE) and COBO)? And how do you choose what’s best for your organization?
In a webinar on Thursday, May 28th (2015), BlackBerry director of security Alex Manea will be examining all four mobile deployment models and looking at the pros and cons of each.
Webinar attendees will also receive a new 100-page e-book from BlackBerry: The Definitive Guide to Enterprise Mobile Security: Strategies and Tactics for Business and IT Decision-Makers.
Co-edited by Manea and BlackBerry blogger Eric Lai, the e-book offers comprehensive strategies and actionable tips for tech and business managers wrestling with how to manage and deploy devices in a secure, future-proof way.
The webcast will air on Thursday, May 28th at 11:00 AM EDT, and will include a live Q&A with Alex. Register for Alex’s webcast HERE. You can also register for these webinars hosted by BlackBerry security experts:
June 4th: The 8 Keys to Developing a Bullet-Proof Enterprise Mobility Management Strategy, hosted by Nader Henein
June 11th: How to Create a Secure, Boundary-less Enterprise with Mobile Containers and Enterprise File Sync and Share, hosted by Jay Barbour
You can also register and listen to these webinar recordings after they are broadcast.
