American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu today released a note to investors regarding the renewed competition between the iPhone, with its new ActiveSync functionality, and the Blackberry. While users of the Blackberry claim the platform features better security through encryption, network management and efficiency, as well as push email, ActiveSync advocates highlight simplicity, less expense, and features its own security benefits.Wu says that by eliminating the need for a NOC server layer, as well as a dedicated Blackberry server, data is in turn made more secure by not passing through as many points during its transfer.
ActiveSync uses anywhere from two to ten times the bandwidth of a Blackberry, due to its constant network chatter, which simulates a push email environment. In addition, a dedicated Blackberry server typically compresses data for increasingly efficient transfer between the server and mobile device.
Apple's technology itself comes in to play during Wu's examination. Wu claims the robustness and efficiency of the iPhone OS, as well as its computer-like experience help give the device an edge. Wu also points out that the email client was built from the ground up to support Exchange servers, development is very strong, and it is a more familiar platform for IT staff.
Wu believes that both Apple and RIM are the best solutions for enterprise. "However, there is a paradox in the wireless data market - the technologies are very complex, but devices and services must be very simple for the user," Wu writes. "A lot of technology must be delivered in compact form-factors and use little power. This has been a challenge for incumbent suppliers. Thus we believe this is a tremendous advantage to suppliers like AAPL and RIMM, both of which have vertical integration of hardware, software and services enablement."
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