That figure, and some of the assumptions programmed into Alinean's TCO tool, were derived from a study authored by global service provider Wipro. Released in June 2007, and duly
touted by Microsoft, that study benchmarked the Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Messaging and Security Feature Pack coupled with Exchange Server 2003 SP2 solution against the RIM Blackberry Handheld 4.x and Blackberry Enterprise Server 4.x.
Bill Barna, principal consultant at Wipros product strategy and architecture (PSA) team, said of the study, "We used customer case studies and interviews, combined with detailed lab analysis of installations. This resulted in a clear lifecycle cost advantage of Windows Mobile over similar RIM solutions, to show an average savings of over $100 per user per year."
Though naturally likely to be disputed by RIM and its supporters, the research can be examined further via Alinean's online tool. Basically a Web-based spreadsheet (see below), it allows users to compare the Blackberry Enterprise Server 4.x with Microsoft Exchange-based solutions, inputting data such as number of employees and how many Exchange servers might be required.
Alinean's online TCO calculator
(Click to enlarge)The tool then charts and graphs both direct and indirect costs. Many of the savings attributed to Windows Mobile appear to derive from that platform's lower server pricing and the lower cost of mobile devices.
The Alinean Windows Mobile Messaging TCO Tool is accessible at the company's Web site,
here. The detailed Wipro research can be found on Microsoft's Web site,
here.
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