iPhone overtakes BlackBerry as top workplace smart phone

Research In Motion's BlackBerry has lost its long held position as the top smartphone among business users, a new study finds. Mobility services company iPass found that the iPhone is now the most commonly used smartphone in the workplace, with the Android platform also showing impressive growth.

The survey of 2,300 workers found that 45 percent use iPhones, up from 31.1 percent a year ago. BlackBerry usage fell to 32.2 percent from 34.5 percent a year ago. Android now is 21.3 percent of the market, up from 11.3 percent a year ago. Overall, RIM market share isn't collapsing as much as other platforms are gaining acceptance in the workplace.

iPass findings verify those of Enterprise Management Associates, which said in October that 30 percent of enterprise BlackBerry users plan to switch to another platform within the next 12 months. The firm expects a significant decrease in RIM's market share, especially in larger companies where it lays claim to half of the market.

The increase in Apple and Android market share "is reflective of more choice in the enterprise", iPass explains.

Android's clout in the consumer sector is sure to extend to the enterprise eventually, but will likely not happen in the immediate future. iPass found among those receiving or purchasing phones, 18 percent say the iPhone and 11.2 percent Android. Microsoft's Windows Phone platform continues to struggle, with only 3.6 percent of survey respondents saying they will obtain a Windows Phone in 2012.

RIM's troubles in the enterprise are only indicative of its market share erosion in the broader smartphone market. Data from Gartner released this week found Android commanding 52.5 percent of the market in the third quarter of this year, double its share a year ago. iOS essentially treads water at 15 percent, but RIM fell from 15.4 percent a year ago to 11 percent this past quarter.

"Continued pressure is impacting RIM's performance", Gartner says.