Server Migration Checklist
- New Dell Opteron server - check
- Gobs of memory - check,
- Sexy new multi-terrabyte SATA array - gotcha
- Spare copy of Server 2008 running on a VM so our 2 BlackBerry's can get plain text email - WTF?
What is going on with our Berry Brothers to the North? Have they lost the desire to gain market share in the small business space?
Problem #1 - BlackBerry Professional gets end of lifed in Feb 2009, no future development
Problem #2 - Current edition of BPS only supports 32-bit OS, SBS 2008 is 64-bit only. Also, product never supported HTML email, now typically considered a requirement.
Solution as recommended by BlackBerry support - Buy a new copy of Blackberry Enterprise for $3100 for 2 seats and run it on a VM with $1,000 worth of Windows operating system. Wow, that is a great deal and I get HTML email.
C'mon, that makes no sense. I know they will never get rich selling to small business, but BlackBerry is on an aggressive mission for handset market share. Does anyone in the management tool side know that? Look at the shipment numbers for the Curve handset over the last 6 months; they are off the hook even giving the iPhone a spanking. Now they will kill a good amount of that success with a hole in the product line for small business.
There are over 22 million small businesses in the US with less than 5 employees. BlackBerry has just told all those prospects they either need to sync their phone manually, pay thousands of dollars for trivial functionality or find another solution. That is a bad game plan.
So, I am moving back to Windows Mobile. I have the new phone, a Samsung Omnia, but I am hoping BlackBerry will suddenly come to its senses. I am keeping the Curve tucked away in its box waiting to be brought back to life if and when BlackBerry wakes up.