Blackberry alternatives

[Banzai_Joe]

I've put this in here, because it's purely related to an Exchange 2007 environment.

Ok, so we have 35 blackberry devices (mostly 9780 Bold) on besx connected to Exchange 2007 sp3.
We get our fair share of niggles, with device failures and/or syncing issues. We have one brand new 9790 and that broke after only 2 weeks.
Sure the licences are free nowadays, but that's only cos of the smart phone introduction.
I'm thinking of replacing at least some of our devices as they are out of warranty and prone to failure if history repeats itself.
We have about 8 iphones on the system too, but they are too expensive to buy more of.

So, what about windows phones eh?
Some of the newer ones that lean more towards business can be had for less than £200, open networked (we are on EE btw).

Anyone got any advice/experience with windows phones and Exchange 2007 sp3? Any issues?
What about other smart phones?
They really are just for mail/calendar/contacts syncing. Some use the phone to take pics of site project work etc. I'm thinking cloud storage would be advantageous to our company. Currently we use dropbox style apps to get data (pics etc) back to the server when the phone is on site somewhere.

Advice appreciated.

 

[cheechm]

Have you had a look at the new Blackberry? Only had a play in the shop myself, but it's a complete redesign. You have to bear in mind that the 9780 is 3 years old.

 

[Banzai_Joe]

Just been to look at some devices in local phone shop. I'm thinking of phasing the BESX out as support for it will cease in 2105 in favour of BBX, in which case to stay with Blackberry we'd have to replace all our handsets again.
BBX server will go back to a pay per licence as well, which could make it hellish expensive.
Looking at the Nokia Lumia 620 windows phone. Just under £200 should work seemlessly with our exchange.
I wonder whether i can centrally administer them the way i do with the blackberry's though.
Don't want users fillding with them and putting their own carp on there.

 

[tribz]

Just been to look at some devices in local phone shop. I'm thinking of phasing the BESX out as support for it will cease in 2105 in favour of BBX, in which case to stay with Blackberry we'd have to replace all our handsets again.
BBX server will go back to a pay per licence as well, which could make it hellish expensive.
Looking at the Nokia Lumia 620 windows phone. Just under £200 should work seemlessly with our exchange.
I wonder whether i can centrally administer them the way i do with the blackberry's though.
Don't want users fillding with them and putting their own carp on there.

Hi there, so BESX is being phased out and being replaced with a chargeable BBX?