RIM Debunks Rumors About BES 10 Not Supporting Former BB Devices

By Thea Neuman (Google)

Instead of making a wild guess about RIM’s future, it is better to talk about the things which this Canadian tech giant is currently engaged with. Of course as BB 10 smartphones’ release date is nearing by, RIM is focused towards demonstrating the new devices to various worldwide carriers and is busy in some serious turnaround strategies including shuffling its top management job responsibilities, but there is lot more to do, which RIM is trying to manage side by side.

According to the latest report, RIM is engaged in debunking rumors that say that upcoming BES (Blackberry Enterprise Server) version won’t lend any support to current BB smartphones and will be exclusively meant for RIM’s forthcoming BB 10 smartphones. Well these rumors certainly created doubt and disappointment among existing Blackberry users, but RIM paid attention to these rumors and promptly addressed the issue.

Rumors, which recently cropped up online regarding unreleased version of BES, are suggesting that the upcoming version of company’s management platform and enterprise emails, are compatible only with forthcoming BB 10 OS. They also hinted that along with the release of new BES, RIM will put an end to the development process of BES for former Blackberry devices.

If these rumors are to be believed then it’s a clear indication that existing BB users who are using phones powered by BB 7 or older OS will be required to run the old version (BES 5.0.3) along with the new version (BES 5.0.4). This in turn implies that ultimately it would be end users who have to shell out more.

RIM certainly can’t afford more risks, and customer satisfaction means a lot to the company at present because of its vulnerable condition. Hence it would not indulge in any such activity, not even in its wildest dream, which may result in upsetting its loyal subscriber base.

RIM did release a statement through press that its upcoming BES version 5.0.4 is scheduled for release during the year ending and the company will go on for maintaining BES in a better manner.

On the other hand, a representative of RIM revealed that the new BES version 5.0.4 is nothing but just an updated version that is meant to lend support to current BB devices.

RIM has already revealed that upcoming BB 10 devices will be administered via BB Device Service under Mobile Fusion Strategy. According to this new strategy, current BB phones will continue to run on BES while BB 10 and BB devices like PlayBook will run by BB Device Service along with a 3rd Universal Device Service which will be capable of lending support for iOS and Android-based devices.

Peter Devenyi (Senior VP of Enterprise Software, RIM) divulged during BB World conference, which took place in May, that the next gen BES is basically meant to provide one administrative interface which has been integrated to ensure effective management of all mobile based devices including iOS and Android devices, within your business enterprise.

Let see whether this new generous gesture by RIM is welcomed in tech world and end users or not.