In recent months, Blackberry has been moving away from its mobile business to focus on its enterprise class offerings. While this may seem like a good move to return the company to profitability, the former smartphone giant will yet again have to go up against its one time rival Apple.
Blackberry's former smartphone empire came under attack from more innovative products from companies like Apple, Google and Samsung. Due to an outdated OS and the lack of a decent app ecosystem, the company reported loss after loss before finally retreating to its strongest forte, enterprise class services. However, Apple has been increasingly encroaching on the enterprise market with more and more companies, institutions and government agencies shifting to iPhones. With more and more employees choosing to bring their own devices instead of relying on company issued smartphones and computers, Apple's penetrating ability may overwhelm Blackberry's enterprise business.
A study published by Forrester Research indicates that around 8 percent of private and government business spending was spent on Apple products in the year 2012. This is a huge leap for Apple considering that back in 2009, spending on Apple products accounted for just 1 percent of global business and government spending. Forrester Research has also stated that the number will rise to 11 percent by the year 2015.
While these figures bode well for Apple, it's a big problem for Blackberry. The problem is further compounded by the fact that the figures released by Forrester Research only account for OS X products. With iOS products like the recent crop of iPhones, the numbers can only go up. iPhones are still selling by the millions and Blackberry has already lost on the smartphone front.
Apple aside, Blackberry still has to contend with other powerful rivals in the enterprise sector including Microsoft and Google. With Microsoft continuing to be one of the dominant players in business and government enterprise services, Blackberry seems to be faced with insurmountable odds. However, Blackberry may still have a chance of returning to profitability with a bit of innovation and a renewed focus on a streamlined product line.
