The BlackBerry line of smartphones is already known for being business-friendly but the software available for these phones is about to get a boost. Research In Motion (RIM) and computer giant Hewlett-Packard said they have agreed to a strategic alliance to design and sell business software for the popular BlackBerry line.

The two companies will develop new software to increase productivity among business users that need to work while on the move. One of the services includes, among other things, HP's CloudPrint for BlackBerry smartphones, which allows users to print emails, documents, photos and Web pages directly from their mobile phone devices.

HP will also launch HP Operations Manager for the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, software to better manage and control IT.

HP said the deal with RIM does not mean that it plans to abandon its own line of Windows Mobile-based devices.