GWAVA, a provider of enterprise security and policy compliance products, this week rolled out a tool that allows businesses to archive text messages and phone logs on BlackBerry smartphones.

The auditing and archiving tool called Retain is installed directly on Research In Motion's BlackBerry Enterprise Server, which enables device management and "push" wireless e-mail. But Retain doesn't require client software to be installed on BlackBerry devices. It doesn't use client software because otherwise it would use up additional memory power and processing resources on BlackBerrys, slowing down the devices' performance, said GWAVA.

Since Retain resides on the Enterprise Server, IT departments can administer changes and updates on BlackBerrys over-the-air without requiring each individual user to hand in their smartphone.

Instead of disabling text messages on BlackBerrys, businesses can use GWAVA's Retain to archive and audit the messages. The software works with short message service (SMS) text messages, which can be sent from and received by any mobile device, and BlackBerry-specific personal identification number (PIN) text messages, which are sent from one BlackBerry device to another.

Here's how Retain works: It collects the information from various SMS, PIN, and phone log files and imports them into a SQL database. This allows businesses to create audit trails and access the records any time, according to GWAVA.

System administrators can view the database by installing the Retain Archive Viewer on their workstations. They can obtain specific records using search criteria or choose to be alerted when certain keywords appear in text messages.

To see a YouTube video of Richard Bliss, GWAVA's VP of marketing, explaining Retain in more detail, click here.

GWAVA is a member of RIM's BlackBerry ISV Alliance program, which means it receives resources, support, and tools to develop and sell applications for BlackBerry smartphones. BlackBerry Enterprise Sever version 4.1.2 and above already supports logging of PIN, SMS, and call details. GWAVA's Retain application, however, provides additional functionality to help present, use, and query the information that the BlackBerry Enterprise Server captures, said a RIM spokeswoman. GWAVA didn't provide pricing information, but said it charges on a per-seat basis that reflects the BlackBerry enterprise pricing model.