Microsoft Scores Massive Order for Windows Mobile-based Devices

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aI7yq3d0SdrY' target='_blank'>http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?...id=aI7yq3d0SdrY</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Microsoft Corp. won its biggest-ever contract for mobile-phone software, an order from the U.S. Census Bureau that covers 500,000 handsets. Microsoft, the world's biggest software maker, plans to unveil the deal today, general manager Scott Horn said in an interview. Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft expects to increase its mobile unit's sales to $1 billion in one to three years, from $337 million last year, and break the dominance of Research In Motion Ltd.'s BlackBerry... Sales of handsets with Windows will double to 20 million units in 2007 as corporate customers opt for those devices instead of the BlackBerry, Knook said. They still would be just a fraction of Microsoft's almost $40 billion in annual sales. The company declined to disclose the value of the Census Bureau contract for Windows Mobile phones, which can link to the Internet, run Office, read e-mail and play music. Census takers will use them in collecting information door-to-door during the 2010 U.S. census."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20051118-WM.gif" /><br /><br />This is a huge win for Microsoft. While the company still faces an uphill challenge in capturing an even greater share of the mobile devices market, this contract certainly leaves a positive mark. We've seen some huge milestones over the past couple of years - for example, the Windows Mobile-based Palm Treo 700w, and now this massive order from the US Census Bureau. By the end of this decade, we may well see the average Joe's mobile device being powered by Windows Mobile. Time will tell.

[WorksForTurkeys]

I remember, years ago, when another government agency (the IRS) awarded its first major laptop purchase to Zenith's computer division. This single bulk order was so large, and it was the industry's first such order, that it was the major coup for Zenith. And look how well Zenith Computers has flourished since... :D

[Ed Hansberry]

Oh man, 500,000 new users?!?!?!? Someone man the ActiveSync helpline. :wink: :lol:

[WorksForTurkeys]

Oh man, 500,000 new users?!?!?!? Someone man the ActiveSync helpline. :wink: :lol:

imagine the first time there's a bios upgrade: all those Treos flashing could crash the 'net. Might consitute a terrorist action under the Patriot Act. :wink:

which do you think will get delivered first: 500k Treos or the next release of XBox 360s for the US?

[Darius Wey]

which do you think will get delivered first: 500k Treos or the next release of XBox 360s for the US?

I thought the Xbox 360 shortage in the US was quelled after Microsoft recently announced a boost to their production lines? At least, there are zero shortages here in Australia. Not sure what it's like on the other side of the great lake. :)

[yslee]

At the rate MS is progressing? No. WM for phones is still not so easy to use, despite being out for a few years already. Certainly not for everyone.

[wshwe]

Trust me, RIM has nothing to worry about in this deal. The Blackberry is the most reliable mobile email device on the planet. WM OTA Exchange Activesync isn't as reliable as it should be.

[packetstorm]

Trust me, RIM has nothing to worry about in this deal. The Blackberry is the most reliable mobile email device on the planet. WM OTA Exchange Activesync isn't as reliable as it should be.

Blackberry's are overrated. It's seems that all these devices, Palms, Treos, BB's all aspire, whether by intention or user demand to eventually be what Windows Mobile already is. They keep adding features upon features and Office compatibility apps in order to work with Windows based apps. Just look at the new Blackberry 7130c. Looks awfully familiar and why would I want to buy a "wannabe"? No, Windows Mobile is not perfect by a long shot but it is native. The sad part is Microsoft spends nothing compared to RIM in advertising Windows Mobile. Haters can say what they want but 500k units is nothing to sneeze at.

I recently took a position with a company that offered me a choice between a Blackberry and a PPC6700. Hmmm...Email or Everything...Email or Everything...Decisions, decisions...Took me all of 1 sec to snatch the 6700 and haven't looked back since. We are currently using Goodlink and it has been flawless. Testing the Exchange SP2 upgrade now. Hopefully that will be as smooth.

Regardless I wouldn't use a BB if someone paid me.

[wshwe]

We are currently using Goodlink and it has been flawless.You had to resort to buying Goodlink because WM wasn't good enough.

Regardless I wouldn't use a BB if someone paid me.There are many more Blackberry users that would say the same thing about their Blackberries.

[Ed Hansberry]

We are currently using Goodlink and it has been flawless.You had to resort to buying Goodlink because WM wasn't good enough.

We have had no issues with Windows Mobile and syncing with Exchange. we only have one MSFP device right now, waiting on the Treo update, but so far, MSFP plus Exchange SP2 has been very fast - usually faster than Outlook on my desktop. I work with a lot of people that have Blackberry's and believe me, I hear complaints.

[packetstorm]

[quote=packetstorm]
We are currently using Goodlink and it has been flawless.You had to resort to buying Goodlink because WM wasn't good enough.

No, actually SP2 wasn't out yet...

[squeeze]

I can almost guarantee that these devices will be highly customized with a truly rock solid system image. At 500k units, I'm sure there's tons of custom development to secure it and to make it truly standalone.

I don't think these devices will ever be attached to a device/PC except to get an initial image load. I see everything OTA or through SD cards that can flash the system.

Because if they needed 500k units, they were trying to avoid 500k laptops/palmtops.

Overall, this is a fantastic voyage. I see that Census takers will be able to sync OTA via secure VPN to get updates and to send census data.

I can't wait until they show up at my door for the census...I want to see what these things eventually mature into...

[squeeze]

We are currently using Goodlink and it has been flawless.You had to resort to buying Goodlink because WM wasn't good enough.

We have had no issues with Windows Mobile and syncing with Exchange. we only have one MSFP device right now, waiting on the Treo update, but so far, MSFP plus Exchange SP2 has been very fast - usually faster than Outlook on my desktop. I work with a lot of people that have Blackberry's and believe me, I hear complaints.

I hardly doubt that these will be syncing to an Exchange Server - or at least an Exchange Server on how we use them today.

I'm thinking...databases my friends...

[squeeze]

Trust me, RIM has nothing to worry about in this deal. The Blackberry is the most reliable mobile email device on the planet. WM OTA Exchange Activesync isn't as reliable as it should be.

Enterprise Apps (other than email) on a BB is probably rare - I've only heard of some Oracle apps and some Siebel apps.

MS Development with an EVDO network framework - endless possibilities...

can you tell i'm excited.

When is the next census (I'm assuming that's what these will be used for)? Will these devices be outdated by then? Hm...

I'm assuming a Treo700w or derivative of such...

[Ed Hansberry]

I hardly doubt that these will be syncing to an Exchange Server - or at least an Exchange Server on how we use them today.
I hardly doubt it either. ;)

I am sure they will sync to exchange. You have half a million devices out there and you need to send messages to some/all/one of them. Why not use the built in technology for that?

Of course, the core use will be database and likely custom written from the ground up, both on the device and server side.

[squeeze]

I read the article again - and man it totally excites me.

So it sounds like they won't be using voice on these things - at least not at this time. They do plan on using some sort of messaging so I totally get the chance for MS Exchange usage.

But has anyone used MS Exchange with - let's say 500,000 unique "users" (devices) in this sense? Can the global address book support that much? Any Exchange vs Domino vs Groupwise guru's out there?

I think what will happen is someone is going to be building an Oracle DB out there that will store the 7 questions they will asking during the census. Also, they were talking about some mapping services (not necessarily GPS). Can you imagine the implications?

GIS + Oracle Backend (or DB2 for the IBMers) + WebSphere (or other EAI) + Messaging + whooo hoooo!

How do you think they will tether the stylus?

Okay, now here's the Poll - the article mentioned some possible solutions - Next Sprint and HTC. Can we take a SWAG on what device will be avail in 2010? Right now, they are just talking about the OS and hinting on the network and ODM.

Who makes the Symbol (ODM that is) ruggedized device?

Anyway, I'm off tangent here...but this is great news.

Back to my Boot Camp'd MacBookPro....

[patato]

A Symbol device or some other ruggedized device would be good, although price and connectiviy will be a problem. Wish companies still sold CF cellular cards.I'd also would be worried about how data will be sent. Possible tampering! I can imagine the server farm needed to OTA sync them...
And the BB...Aimed at same market as WM but WM has more features, BB has good Push e-mail, cheaper. I take more features.