In this multi part article, we looked at several smartphones and mobile carriers, and tried to extract the best overall values for small businesses. We rated the phones according to several business criteria, including business productivity (email, calendar and contacts), applications, mobile network, cost, and fun factor.
Overall
We rated the Apple iPhone 3GS from AT&T, the Motorola DROID from Google and Verizon and the BlackBerry Storm2 from RIM and Verizon.
The iPhone 3GS is a winner in terms of business functionality, applications and fun factor, while lacking in mobile service and cost. Overall we scored it 21 out of a possible 25.
The DROID is a decent overall phone with perfect marks for mobile network and ease of use and a high score for apps and fun. Cost was pretty average. Overall we scored it 20 out of a possible 25.
The Storm2 is definitely geared more toward business and was lacking in the ease of deployment of email, as well as fun factor. Overall we scored it 17 out of 25.
For a business looking to add 3 or 5 smartphones, you can’t go wrong with the iPhone or the slightly less impressive DROID. BlackBerry Server Express and BlackBerrys are intriguing technology, but don’t necessarily make a lot of sense for a business with 3 or 5 smartphones, unless there is a lot of loyalty to BlackBerry. However, as a business adds more and more smartphones, say 10 or more, the costs involved in BlackBerry Enterprise Express start to make a lot more sense. The BlackBerry smartphones are a bit less expensive and the central management makes for a much higher value and return on investment when a business deploys a lot of smartphones, so before making your decision, think a bit of your smartphone deployment strategy – and find the right technology partner to guide you through this process.
