The debate goes on

There is little doubt that BlackBerry is a market leader within the legal industry – early adopters led the way, with many firms hot on their heels and soon we were reading of the so called ‘crackberry phenomenon’.

Initially BlackBerry had a very distinct advantage, being the only wireless solution to offer true ‘push’ email, that integrated seamlessly with our desktop. However, with the launch of service pack 2 for Microsoft Exchange 2003, it appeared that Windows Mobile devices would pose a serious challenge to BlackBerry’s predominant USP.

Push email was now available on a platform already familiar to a vast proportion of the working population. In addition, for those companies already using Exchange 2003, there was no additional software to purchase, whilst compatible smartphones and PDAs offered widespread choice to end users.

Windows Mobile devices also packed appeal by providing the ability to not just view but to edit documents too. Whilst this sounded useful, in more practical terms would this actually be of primary importance for many fee earners. BlackBerry instead offered arguably higher levels of security, as well as greater administrative, over the air and commercial control. Perhaps the race wasn’t quite so clear cut after all.

At the BigHand User Conference last September, mobile data was a prominent theme, with the launch of a mobility module for the market leading BigHand3 digital dictation system* and delegates were asked a few very pertinent questions during an interactive session. Whilst there have been numerous surveys regarding this very subject, lets look at a snapshot of the opinions of your colleagues and peers.

Q: BlackBerry Smartphone versus Windows Mobile?

A: BlackBerry Smartphone 67%     Windows Mobile 33%

Q: BlackBerry Smartphone versus Windows Mobile in 2012?

A: BlackBerry Smartphone 45%     Windows Mobile 55%

Q: If you had to choose just one method of digital dictation mobile working for authors would it be:

• Telephony 9%
• Web Client 20%
• Email Gateway 16%
• BlackBerry Smartphone/Windows Mobile 55%

So whilst it seems that BlackBerry is leading in the legal stakes at present, predictions for the future aren’t so obvious; not too far from a fifty/fifty split in fact.

The response to the third question however was no surprise and indeed, more important really than device preference and prediction. It reinforces that email is no longer the sole appeal of wireless solutions - rather than impressive features on our devices which in truth we will probably never actually use, we want business applications which can help us to work smarter, whilst providing superior client care.

A view shared by Total’s Sales Director, Paul Giacalone: ‘We only have to look at the number of software companies, legal and otherwise, who are now developing mobile aspects to their products, not just through RIM Alliance Partners but for the Windows Mobile platform too. In time, the BlackBerry/Windows Mobile split may well even out, but choice of handset really isn’t the main focus. At the end of the day, these devices are merely facilitators and each individual business case should be the driving factor. What is clear however, is the desire and increasing expectation that when we step away from our desks, we want to be able to work in the same way with the same systems that we can when we are there.’

Only time will tell which platform we will be using to do that, but you can rest assured that whichever way the market and technology develop, Total will be at the forefront offering you all the necessary advice and support to match your needs.

* For more information regarding BigHand Mobile (BlackBerry Edition), go to: http://www.bighand.com/digitaldictation/blackberrysmartphone.html.