The conversation went something like this.  Sure, the BlackBerry is a great, enterprise grade, mobile platform, but all the hype and momentum is based upon the consumerization of enterprise mobility - specifically focused on the iPhone, Android and to a certain extent webOS.  So why is it that the carriers and handset manufacturers struggle to sell these platforms from an enterprise perspective?  What needs to happen for enterprises to embrace the sales pitch that would come from the carrier enterprise sales teams?

Hmmm.  Fascinating question.  There's no question that iPhone, Android and webOS are either promising and/or wildly successful smartphone platforms from a consumer perspective...and yes, those devices do find their way into the workplace.  However, talk to sales teams at the carriers, and I guarantee you that they still struggle to push the value of those three platforms from a true enterprise grade perspective.  So what's the problem?

Is it that the sales people don't know how to tell the story properly?  The platforms are suited today yet to be fully enterprise grade?  3rd party vendors are still working through platform issues?  How about "E," all of the above. 

I think it's all these issues.  Let's look at Android.  Sure, tons of promise and hype right now.  So many new devices are coming out now, and you know from a consumer perspective, it will be quite popular.  And it still supports zero Exchange policies.  Sure, it will get there...in time...but that doesn't help us today.  What about the sales teams?  They certainly are biased - but part of that is based upon their compensation structures.  How do we get a level playing field so that at the end of the day, the sales people are most focused on providing what is best for the customer need, as opposed to what is easiest to sell?  When are the mobility management vendors going to be able to provide equal levels of features and functionality for full blown mobility management across all devices?

Not any time soon, unfortunately.  That said, I do believe we will get there.  Why?  Because companies want and need it now.