Should Microsoft buy Research in Motion?

Here's how it all breaks down: It doesn't take an astute observer to realize that RIM is dying.

Published May 27, 20124:24 AM EDT2 minute read

Here's how it all breaks down:

It doesn't take an astute observer to realize that RIM is dying.
It takes even less knowledge of the mobile industry to know that Microsoft desperately wants to compete and excel in phone and tablets.
Both companies have problems that are best represented by two companies: Apple and Google.

Why doesn't Research In Motion simply sell at any cost to Microsoft? They are losing executives and cutting employees. No measure of restructuring can save their plummeting market share or improve their dismal outlook. They need help in a big way.

Microsoft needs to make some moves. Google just finalized the purchase of Motorola Mobility. Apple prints money and would sell the heck out of anything they put out even if they eliminated their marketing department completely. RIM needs to sell. It all adds up if Microsoft is willing to take the plunge.

It makes sense for both companies. Microsoft has a stranglehold on business productivity software. RIM once had a stranglehold on business mobile software. Together, they may be able to make a play to change the trend towards iOS and Android in mobile. Almost as importantly, the Blackberry software has always had an upperhand with translating desktop application integration onto mobile devices.

Amazon will be in the mix off and on if they aren't stung by RIM's dismissal of them last year. Apple wouldn't want to get involved and Google is a longshot. This leaves big telecom companies, the Chinese telecoms, and Microsoft as the only likely suitors.

By 2013, RIM will be on the way out the door as a company if they don't get help soon. Microsoft's situation is much less precarious but the company's conservative approach to mergers and acquisitions has contributed to them entering the mobile game late and not being able to move up quickly enough to compete. When these situations are all considered, the answer to the question becomes pretty clear.

Microsoft should buy RIM.