BlackBerry Analytics Developer Service Out In Beta

Research In Motion has announced that the free BlackBerry Analytics Service is now available to developers in beta. The service is powered by Webtrends and allows BlackBerry developers to  integrate tracking into their applications simply by adding a few lines of code and capture detailed, anonymous information about how their apps are being used.

The BlackBerry Analytics Service consists of the SDK, developer documents and a Web-based reporting interface that allows developers to log-in and see the data they are collecting around their applications quickly and easily. Developers can now download the BlackBerry Analytics SDK to start integrating the service into their Java-based BlackBerry smartphone applications.

A Measure Of Success

RIM announced plans to deliver a BlackBerry Analytics Service in September 2010 at the BlackBerry DEVCON 2010. At the event, RIM and Webtrends announced they were working together to deliver free enterprise-class analytics to the BlackBerry developer community. The BlackBerry Analytics Service, powered by Webtrends, will allow developers to quickly and easily add measurement into their applications.

BlackBerry developers will be able to use the mobile analytics service to discover insights about how customers use their apps and to evolve their applications in ways that will drive loyalty, increase use, and potentially lead to new and more successful avenues for revenue and monetisation.

The BlackBerry Analytics Service is powered by the Webtrends Mobile Analytics platform. Using the Webtrends SDK, BlackBerry developers can integrate metrics tracking into their applications to capture events deemed relevant. Developers can track application use, frequency of use, loyalty of users, screens accessed and features used. The Mobile Analytics platform provides real insight into how their applications are being used, helps developers better understand adoption and allows them to measure success against their usage goals.

“Feedback from our customers and development partners has always shaped our BlackBerry products and services, and so we understand the need for deep, rich and accurate analytics. We also know that access to such metrics is a top priority for BlackBerry developers as they try to make their applications stand out in an increasingly crowded market,” said Curtis Sasaki, vice president of product management at RIM, in a press release from BlackBerry DEVCON 2010. “With just a few lines of code, developers can add Webtrends analytics and gain access to a very broad range of insightful measurements.”

“BlackBerry developers will now have better access to complementary, enterprise-class mobile analytics technology and services,” said Alex Yoder, CEO of Webtrends, also in a press release from BlackBerry DEVCON 2010. “Webtrends has a truly powerful and incredibly comprehensive platform for creating, measuring and improving content across all digital channels, and mobile is no exception. We are thrilled to deliver insight and value to the BlackBerry developer community.”

The BlackBerry Analytics Service includes overview metrics showing active users, new users, frequency of use, engagement in duration and depth of use, number of screens viewed, and conversions; detail in usage of screens, content, media, features, products, in-app search, and in-app ads; and user information including country and language, device characteristics, carrier, connection type and errors.