Yesterday, it was the PDA. Tomorrow, well, who knows.

Today, though, it is the Blackberry.

More and more, blackberries are being used in the workplace. They are very clever little devices and have a host of applications.

So, what is a blackberry?

The Blackberry website defines the blackberry as a combination of "award winning devices, software and services to keep mobile professionals in touch with the people, data and resources that drive their day." A better definition might be to define the blackberry as a hand-held device which serves as a personal organizer, wireless Internet browser, cellular phone, speakerphone, long-range digital walkie-talkie, and mini-laptop which can send and receive email correspondence from just about anywhere.

The features, of course, depend on the particular model.

Who is Using Blackberry?

The use of Blackberry has exploded in many industries from police departments to construction companies to Madison Avenue advertising agencies. Just last year, the http://www.NJLawman.com website covered a story where the Los Angeles Police Department put 200 units into operation for their senior commanders. The idea behind it was to free these officers from their computers allowing them to spend more time in the field.

Blackberries come in all sizes and shapes with many uses in mind. Clearly, industries needing the ability to communicate sensitive information were considered during the initial planning.

Triple DES and AES encryption are available for both the Blackberry servers and the Blackberry units themselves. Additional software and applications are also available from several companies.

This, obviously, is a sought feature for organizations requiring that extra level

There is an large amount of software available for Blackberry devices, and some were specifically designed for specific industries. In fact, there are too many to mention, but it is to the point where you can do just about anything on your Blackberry that you can do on your pc computer.

For example, in the law enforcement field a suspect can be run through a nationwide warrant system by a police officer from the comfort of the officer's horse. Narcotics officers who have just executed a search warrant can pull up pictures of arrested persons to compare with the suspects in the house. Detectives can run license plates without ever using the radio. Commanders can call into headquarters from a crime scene and use the speakerphone feature so others can participate in the conversation.

All of this is from a device about the size of a cell phone.

For private industry, there are even more available features, and new ones are added every day.

Blackberries range in price from $99. to $500. and can be purchased in both retail stores and online.

If you are looking to research a purchase, you should contact a Blackberry representative to determine exactly which model and software you need for your purposes and which pricing plan would be right for you.

Technology is the future, and right now the future in communications is Blackberry.

About the Author

Sean Labrock is a long-time small business owner and police officer with extensive experience in marketing. He currently runs one of the nations largest law enforcement websites, http://www.NJLawman.com and has authored many articles for both http://www.NJLawman.com and other periodicals.