Enterprise IT, Exchanging BlackBerry's for Free iPhone4? Read this First.

As an IT Manager, the time has come to swap out aging BlackBerry Bolds for a new device.  From a cost perspective, the free iPhone 4 is an attractive option, as it practically eliminates any transition cost.  However, the following must be considered:

When you compare the iPhone 4 to the iPhone 5, it’s a different case entirely. The iPhone is two generations behind the iPhone 5. It was released in June 2010. That means the device is using technology that is at least three years old at this point. While this might not matter to tech savvy consumers, I think the processing technology, camera, and other hardware on the iPhone 4 are too old to justify getting yourself locked into another two-year contract.

via cnet.com

Based upon the age of the technology in the phone is it worth paying the $99 for the iPhone 4S.  From my perspective, yes as the person with the phone will have it for 2 years under a new contract.  Guess I will see what happens during the actual refresh and see if folks are willing to pay a little extra.

No but quality is!!! "RIM CEO on App Ecosystems: Size Isn’t Everything via All Things D"

For anyone who has had the opportunity to use a BlackBerry tablet already understands RIM’s approach for apps and can testify that it isn’t working.  It is easy to understand that it is better to have quality over quantity but RIM has yet to deliver on this view for their devices.  The apps that are available in their ecosystems for the most part don’t even compare with the quality that is on iOS and even Android.  Good luck to RIM on this approach but I don’t see it succeeding.

Are Enterprise’s Loosing Control with BlackBerry 10 Release?

This is an old story that was put in front of my eyes again this week when I received the following communication regarding BlackBerry BES licensing:

  • IMPORTANT INFORMATION regarding BES CAL transition to new BDS server:  Earlier this month, I let you know that managing BlackBerry 10/Playbook devices will require BDS-Mobile Fusion as these devices will not connect to your current BES servers.  I am now happy to let you know that for customers with BlackBerry Technical Support contracts of Advantage level or higher (Advantage, Standard, Premium or Elite), RIM will have a process in place to exchange existing BES CALs for BDS CALs at no additional charge.  We appreciate that you have already made an investment in your BES infrastructure, and as we transition to the new BB10 platform, we want to ensure you will be able to leverage that existing investment.

While it was reported by several sites earlier this year that BES is going away in favor for BDS.  However, based upon initial reviews of BDS is that enterprises could potentially be losing control features that they have accustomed to with the BES. From my enterprise perspective this just another reason for enterprises to begin procuring iPhones instead of BlackBerry’s.

Lets Clarify, "RIM Rolls Out BlackBerry Mobile Fusion Platform"

Today there were several blogs, press releases, and podcasts that discussed the new Mobile Fusion production from BlackBerry.  None of them discussed the fact that this is a separate product and does not tie into the the traditional BES environment.  The Fusion is a separate server that utilizes the management foundations that have been established by Android and Apple for the respective devices and requires use of an email delivery service such as Active Sync for Microsoft Exchange Server.  It needs to be noted that the only advantage that this solution provides over the Apple Configurator for iOS devices is a single management console.  From my discussions with a BlackBerry sales person, each of the devices being managed will require a client license to be able to be managed under Fusion.  This is a nice try but is too late from BlackBerry.