In a new report from ABI Research (http://www.abiresearch.com), global smartphone shipments to mobile business customers are forecast to grow at a CAGR [compound average growth rate] of 15%. The research group says Apple should do well, especially if a Verizon iPhone does appear.
The mobile business customer smartphone installed base will exceed 30% worldwide; in North America, it will exceed 65%. But behind these numbers will be a hyper-competitive marketplace defined by the operating system.
According to enterprise practice director Dan Shey, “With the iPhone and now Android, business customers simply have more choices. While each region will have a different set of competitive dynamics, within a few years regional installed base market shares of 50%+ will be a thing of the past.”
Relevant worldwide and regional installed base statistics from the analysis include:
° North America: BlackBerry will maintain its leadership position but Apple and Android will gain a solid presence. If Verizon launches the iPhone, iOS market share will grow even more.
° Western Europe: Android’s share will grow the most as Windows’ share slips.
° Latin America: Installed base share will shift from a customer base using mainly Windows to one shared nearly equally by Windows, Symbian and BlackBerry.
° Asia Pacific: Symbian’s market share will drop significantly but Symbian will still maintain its lead; Android will reach the number two position.
“Security, applications, and device management capabilities will be key determinants of success for each platform — but not necessarily in that order,” Shey adds.
