ImportantHardware
A profile of BlackBerry's QNX division, whose operating system controls safety features in 275M cars and accounts for half of BlackBerry's revenue (Ben Cohen/Wall Street Journal)
BlackBerry's QNX operating system controls safety-critical functions in 275 million vehicles and generates half of BlackBerry's revenue, representing a significant embedded systems enterprise that CIOs should recognize as a model for non-consumer technology dominance and long-term revenue stability. This demonstrates the strategic value of owning foundational infrastructure in mission-critical industries, where switching costs are high and regulatory requirements create sustainable competitive moats. Technology leaders should evaluate similar embedded OS and safety-critical infrastructure opportunities in their organizations, as these represent stable, high-margin businesses less vulnerable to consumer market disruption.
Ben Cohen / Wall Street Journal: A profile of BlackBerry's QNX division, whose operating system controls safety features in 275M cars and accounts for half of BlackBerry's revenue — John Wall has spent nearly his entire career working for the same company. And when he tells people where he works, nobody has any clue what he's talking about.