Nokia All Set To Take On RIM

We have been covering about increasing competition being faced by RIM and the Squeeze on RIM. eWeek reports that Nokia is all set to launch a wireless e-mail access platform that could provide the first real challenge to RIM's BlackBerry Enterprise Server. The Nokia Business Center is a behind-the-firewall software platform that lets customers read and delete corporate e-mail on their wireless devices. The main difference between it and RIM's platform is that Nokia is not charging a client license for basic e-mail access. Nokia officials said the company is targeting customers that want to deploy wireless e-mail to employees "beyond the corner office." Many BlackBerry deployments go beyond that already, but licensing costs are a common complaint. I am an active Blackberry user – but the software and the handsets have significant performance & features related issues. While I certainly like using the blackberry’s pervasive connect and pushmail abilities, several times I feel that we are all being used by RIM as beta testers. Whenever I go international roaming during my frequent travels , usage of blackberry is never incident free and I can be straight – the user interface and handset features definitely SUCKS.
Nokia’s solution is also expected to be cheap – one another common grouse against RIM – Nokia says that its Business Center also differs from RIM's BES in that it does not send corporate data through a NOC (network operating center) the way BES does. Customers need complete control about data that travels with features like data transfer behind-the-firewall without a third-party NOC. Its earlier Nokia One was a Web-based solution that required customers to have Web browser access on their phones, whereas the Business Center works more like push e-mail, although not exactly like it. This time around, Nokia explains, a client establishes a GPRS session, the GPRS network assigns a dynamic IP address and then the client transmits the address to the server. If the client loses the connection, it refreshes the IP address when the connection is re-established, and then the client transmits the new address back to the server. Initially the software will support mobile e-mail on a handful of Nokia's high-end phones: the Nokia 9300 smart phone and Nokia 9500 Communicator, as well as the 6630, 6680, 6681 and 6682 phones. In addition, initially it will support only Microsoft Corp.'s Exchange. IBM's Lotus Notes, Novell Inc.'s GroupWise and POP (Post Office Protocol) e-mail accounts should follow shortly. Does it open up new standards – No says Nokia as the software is Java-based, it can run on any Java-capable phone if Nokia certifies the device. With all this where does it leave RIM – Staying ahead in both hardware and software remains a major challenge. For RIM, it's a risky strategy of brinkmanship to continue to remain on its own.Better sell out -Probable suitor - wild guess - APPLE - Only this has the best capability to make improvements in Hardware, Software and also knows how to work in a niche market - a definite fate for RIM anyway in the changing wirlelss handheld market..

Category :Blackberry