BlackBerry admits plans to axe software and hardware jobs
The Canadian phone maker will consolidate several major departments


BlackBerry has announced plans to cut an unconfirmed number of jobs from its software, hardware and applications departments.
The company has decided to consolidate these key divisions, meaning staff from across those groups risk losing their jobs, it admitted in a statement.
"As we continue executing our plan for BlackBerry's turnaround, we remain focused on driving efficiencies across our global workforce. As the company moves into its next stage of the turnaround, our intention is to reallocate resources in ways that will best enable us to capitalize on growth opportunities while driving toward sustainable profitability across all facets of our business," the statement read.
"We have made the decision to consolidate our device software, hardware and applications business, impacting a number of employees around the world."
Blackberry has around 7,000 employees worldwide, although the majority are based in the company's Canadian homeland.
The smartphone maker is also considering closing its Swedish base of operations, according to Reuters, which could result in up to 100 redundancies.
These layoffs follow news that despite a net profit, the company's revenue fell 32 per cent in the last quarter, according to results.
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
Devices like the Passport and the Classic have so far failed to drive profits, and the company's share of the global smartphone market now sits at around 0.3 per cent, according to IDC figures.
Instead, CEO John Chen has made it clear that business software such as BlackBerry Enterprise Server 12, the BlackBerry Experience Suite and BBM are where the company is going to refocus its efforts.
BlackBerry has said that it plans to bring in new talent to bolster "areas of strategic focus", including software, enterprise, security and Internet of Things.
This decision is likely based on the fact that software and services now comprises almost 60 per cent of the company's revenue.
This new direction has seen a partnership with Samsung via its Knox system, and the purchase of encryption company Secusmart, both of which have helped cement BlackBerry's claim on being a leader in mobile enterprise security.
Adam Shepherd has been a technology journalist since 2015, covering everything from cloud storage and security, to smartphones and servers. Over the course of his career, he’s seen the spread of 5G, the growing ubiquity of wireless devices, and the start of the connected revolution. He’s also been to more trade shows and technology conferences than he cares to count.
Adam is an avid follower of the latest hardware innovations, and he is never happier than when tinkering with complex network configurations, or exploring a new Linux distro. He was also previously a co-host on the ITPro Podcast, where he was often found ranting about his love of strange gadgets, his disdain for Windows Mobile, and everything in between.
You can find Adam tweeting about enterprise technology (or more often bad jokes) @AdamShepherUK.
-
Blackberry revenue falls by 4% as cyber security division takes hit
News Despite this, the company’s Internet of Things (IoT) division increased its revenue by 28% as it attracted new customers from the automotive sector
By Zach Marzouk
-
BlackBerry revival is officially dead as OnwardMobility shuts down
News The Texas-based startup is mysteriously shutting down and taking its ultra-secure 5G BlackBerry with it
By Bobby Hellard
-
BlackBerry and AWS are developing a standardized vehicle data platform
News Platform will give automakers a standardized way to process data from vehicle sensors in the cloud
By Rene Millman
-
BlackBerry thwarts mobile phishing attacks with new AI tools
News The company's Protect Mobile platform alerts users to potential malware before a link is clicked
By Tyler Omoth
-
BlackBerry Persona Desktop delivers zero-trust security at the endpoint
News New security solution learns user behavior and can take action if there’s an abnormality
By Justin Cupler
-
A 5G BlackBerry phone with physical keyboard is coming in 2021
News The business phone to be resurrected with OnwardMobility and FIH Mobile planning a security-savvy enterprise handset
By Bobby Hellard
-
The business smartphone is dead
In-depth BlackBerry’s demise signals the end of the business-first handset
By Carly Page
-
BlackBerry Key2 review: The best physical keyboard no one asked for
Reviews Despite the improvements, the flaws of BlackBerry’s Key range are still front and centre
By Bobby Hellard