Written by Josh Martin, TecMarc Technology Services
Smart Phones are the standard these days for business. Smart phones allow employers to stay in constant contact with their employees via the traditional methods (calling or texting). As well as email, mobile calendars, video conferencing, and instant file transfers. Currently, RIM’s BlackBerry is the top business phone. BlackBerry is tested, safe, reliable, and very functional. Now RIM has some competition from Google’s Android and Apple’s IPhone. Both Apple and Google are relatively new players in the phone market, but both have years of technology experience, giving them an edge. General consumers seem to prefer IPhone and Android-based phones over the BlackBerry, and it is forcing the business world to take a deeper look at them. Today we will compare these 3 devices and help you choose which is best for your business.
BlackBerry
By RIM (Research In Motion)
BlackBerry first came to market in 1998, and had a slow rise to the top. RIM has spent the last 13 years researching the needs of its clients, and has been rewarded for its efforts as BlackBerry remains the number one business smartphone.
• BlackBerry can be controlled by your company, limiting employees ability to change phone settings and services.
• Phone supports email through Web Exchange, and through BES (BlackBerry Enterprise Server), giving your Company choices when setting up email.
• BlackBerry can be used to store data, meaning if you install a MicroSD card your employee will have a smart phone and a flash drive in one.
IPhone
By Apple
Apple has been making computers since 1976, and almost contracted Microsoft for its OS (Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uau0aIbrzkQ). Apple has a history of trying new technologies, and it has paid off for the last 10 years. Apple’s IPod changed the music industry, and now Apple wants to change the cell phone market.
• IPhone supports video conferencing, so you can have a meeting anywhere, anytime.
• Supports connection to Exchange web access, giving your employees constant to their email.
• Support for GeoTagging, allowing you to find your employees location within 3 meters.
Droid Pro
By Google
Google.com was a school project started at Stanford University by 2 grad students. Today Google.com is the most used search engine providing everything from web searches, restaurant reviews, and maps. In 2008 Google revealed there servers process 20 petabytes a day (20,000 terabytes, or 2,000,000 gigabytes) (Source: http://www.niallkennedy.com/blog/2008/01/google-mapreduce-stats.html)
• Uses rooting (password protected OS and settings) for extra security, preventing anyone from viewing private information. Security also includes a remote wipe, so you can wipe all data remotely in the event of loss or theft.
• Has the ability to view multiple exchange calendars, so your employees can setup meetings from anywhere.
• Droid Pro can connect to your company’s domain for enterprise security.
Smart phones are only getting smarter; the question is which will make your business better. The smartest phone is the one that caters to the needs of today’s fast paced business environment. Android maybe outselling its competition (source: http://www.themobileindian.com/news/1379_Android-outsells-other-devices-in-USA:-Nielsen) in the U.S., however I don’t see the big corporations going away from RIM until Google and Apple can prove their products are ready for the everyday business person. BlackBerry had a hard fight to the top of the hill, and the competitors will need to turn some heads in order to have a fighting chance.
Feel free to discuss the affects these phones will have, or do have on your company in the comments below.
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