RIM BlackBerry Q2 2013 Financial Results: Decision Day Arrives?

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Of course, listen in on the financial earnings call later today. Closely track RIM’s cash reserves, burn rate, and financial analyst chatter. Many Wall Street pundits will quickly calculate whether RIM has enough financial muscle to pull off a successful BlackBerry 10 launch in early 2013.

At the same time check in with your customers and take inventory of their smartphone and tablet installed bases. As the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) trend accelerates, get a clear feel for which devices customers are using right now. And then check in again in December 2012 and January 2013. Chances are you’ll see both Google Android and Apple iOS getting a huge holiday boost from consumers who bring new Android, iPhone and iPad devices to work.

Watch closely for any clues about whether Windows Phone 8 and RIM BlackBerry are on your customers’ radars. Sure, you can make some device recommendations. But this is really about whether you need to employ mobile device management (MDM) tools and software that extends beyond iOS and Android over the long haul.

Over in the managed services software market, it looks like most major RMM (remote monitoring and management) software providers are taking a wait-and-see attitude toward Windows Phone 8. But there’s still a strong portfolio of tools for managing RIM BlackBerry. Earlier today, GFI Max vowed to offer MDM capabilities for BlackBerry devices in 2013.

The key takeaway: RIM may be under intense financial pressure, but most MDM software companies will continue to support the platform. Perhaps VARs should maintain a similar mindset, especially in RIM’s historically strong markets like the government vertical. CNN Money notes that RIM’s installed base continues to grow, which means BlackBerry customers may need service and support for years to come — regardless of RIM’s own fate.