Hugo Miller of Bloomberg wrote a piece today titled “Motorola Solutions Backs Fixmo In Bet On Better Security.” I like the way he captured the news in that headline. It is yet another endorsement of the engineering talent, mission-focused solutions and corporate leadership in place at Fixmo. It makes me even prouder to be associated with this firm as one of their advisers.
Here is more of what Miller wrote:
Motorola Solutions Inc. (MSI), the U.S. maker of walkie-talkies and radio-tracking scanners, is investing in software developer Fixmo Inc., which works with the U.S. National Security Agency, to bolster device safety.
The spending will be in the typical range of $1 million to $5 million and funded through Motorola Solutions Venture Capital, said Tony Palcheck, managing director of the unit. The Schaumburg, Illinois-based company aims to work Fixmo’s expertise into its equipment and is open to increasing its investment should that be sought, he said.
“We’re looking to make both a strategic and financial return and understand that sometimes we need to play in subsequent rounds,” Palcheck said in a telephone interview.
Toronto-based Fixmo, which raised $23 million from Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and other investors in November, worked with the NSA to develop the technology behind its Sentinel and SafeZone software. The programs allow companies and government agencies to control how data is shared on employee smartphones and tablets and strengthen protection against harmful software.
With more sensitive information being transmitted across broadband emergency networks on Motorola devices, “the opportunity for more data getting into the wrong hands increases and this is a solution that prevents that,” Palcheck said. “We have multiple places within our business units where we think the Fixmo technology and solutions fit.”
Phones and tablets are increasingly based on Google Inc. (GOOG)’s Android operating system, which accounted for 68 percent of all smartphones worldwide in the second quarter, according to researcher IDC. Motorola Solutions plans to introduce more Android tablets later this year, Chief Executive Officer Greg Brown said last month.
The rising popularity of Android creates growth opportunities for Fixmo particularly, given the software can be customized relatively easily by device makers, said Tyler Lessard, Fixmo’s chief marketing officer.
“We see the Android side as a significant linchpin of the business,” Lessard said in an interview.
And more from the official press release:
Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI), through its strategic investment arm Motorola Solutions Venture Capital, has invested in Fixmo, a leading provider of mobile security, compliance and risk management solutions for the public and private sectors. Fixmo’s flagship products, Fixmo Sentinel and Fixmo SafeZone, help organizations manage their secure mobile devices, maintain system integrity, protect their corporate data and prove policy compliance. The investment from Motorola Solutions will be used to bolster the company’s research and development activities and global market expansion.
“Police departments, federal agencies, hospital employees and a wide range of business professionals are sharing increasing amounts of sensitive information from their mobile devices,” said Tony Palcheck, managing director of Motorola Solutions Venture Capital. “There is a growing imperative to ensure that these devices are compliant and in a high-integrity state. With a unique approach to mobile risk management, Fixmo products give organizations the confidence and audit trail they need to meet stringent compliance requirements whether they are in the public or private sector.”
“We feel Fixmo’s product portfolio complements Motorola Solutions’ existing security offerings while providing data management features necessary for today’s demanding mobile environment,” said Brenda Herold, corporate vice president, Global ASTRO Products and Solutions, Motorola Solutions, Inc.
“By offering a layered approach to mobile security and risk management, Fixmo helps organizations manage and monitor their mobile devices and, more importantly, stay in compliance with corporate policies and government regulations,” said Rick Segal, CEO, Fixmo. “We are thrilled to have Motorola Solutions as a strategic investor in Fixmo as we continue down the path of enabling IT organizations to embrace the full potential of mobile devices and apps without compromising on corporate security or compliance.”
About Motorola Solutions
Motorola Solutions is a leading provider of mission-critical communication solutions and services for enterprise and government customers. Through leading-edge innovation and communications technology, it is a global leader that enables its customers to be their best in the moments that matter. Motorola Solutions trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “MSI.” To learn more, visit www.motorolasolutions.com. For ongoing news, please visit our media center or subscribe to our news feed.About Motorola Solutions Venture Capital
Motorola Solutions Venture Capital is the strategic equity investment arm of Motorola Solutions. Its diversified portfolio is focused on “new-idea” companies and opportunities that complement Motorola Solutions’ business strategy. Motorola Solutions Venture Capital invests at all stages in developing companies to accelerate access to new technologies, new markets and new talents. For more information, please visit www.motorolasolutions.com/ventures.About Fixmo
Fixmo Inc. is the mobile risk management (MRM) company that helps organizations identify, mitigate and manage the risks associated with mobile devices in the workplace. The company’s MRM solutions enable protected and compliant mobile computing, helping organizations embrace a wide range of mobile
devices and applications while maintaining system integrity, protecting confidential data and proving regulatory compliance. Fixmo’s MRM technology has been developed as part of a Co-operative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA). Fixmo is headquartered in Sterling, Virginia and Toronto, Canada. Additional information on Fixmo can be found at www.fixmo.com.# # #
Motorola Solutions Media Contact:
Katie Shaykin
Motorola Solutions
+1 847-576-2051
+1 773-849-3099
[email protected]Fixmo Media Contact:
Danielle Millerick
fama PR for Fixmo
Phone: +1 617-986-5030
Email: [email protected]MOTOROLA, MOTO, MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS and the Stylized M Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC and are used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2012 Motorola Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.
Congrats to all at Fixmo for yet another endorsement of your approach.
This post by BobGourley was first published at CTOvision.com.
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