Enterprise Mobile Market: The Pentagon Opening its Doors to Apple and Google Devices

Google Inc (GOOG)Enterprise Mobile Market: There used to be a time when BlackBerry was top dog in the enterprise market. However, things are changing with each passing day. Now, it appears that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) are making major progress in this area.

Apple is actually the smart money’s second favorite publicly traded company (see why it’s important to pay attention to hedge fund activity).

At this time, the Pentagon relies on more than 600,000 mobile devices. Believe it or not, roughly 470,000 are BlackBerry with 41,000 Apple and 8,700 Android.

However, a change is on the horizon now that the department has opened its networks to Apple and Google smartphones.

According a recent report by USA Today, the Pentagon has announced a “commercial mobile device implementation plan” that would give Apple and Android devices access to its communications networks.

Of course, a change like this cannot happen overnight. Instead, the Pentagon is planning for everything to be in place by February 2014.

Here is what Teri Takai, the department’s chief information officer, had to say:

“As today’s DoD personnel increasingly rely on mobile technology as a key capability enabler for joint force combat operations, the application of mobile technology into global operations, integration of secure and non-secure communications, and development of portable, cloud-enabled capability will dramatically increase the number of people able to collaborate and share information rapidly.”

With all this in mind, BlackBerry is not conceding the Pentagon business just yet. The company hopes that its newest devices, the Q10 and Z10, will be able to help regain market share.

This is a big step for both Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG), while BlackBerry is sure to be disappointed. After all, the former king of the market has lost several contracts over the past few months including the likes of Home Depot.

What are your thoughts on this change by the Pentagon? Do you think that Apple and Google devices will become more common in the Pentagon next year? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Check back here for more updates on Enterprise Mobile Market.

DISCLOSURE: I have no positions in any stock mentioned.

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