Boeing prepares to move its 40,000+ smartphone users to Android if/when BlackBerry shutters

It’s no secret that BlackBerry is currently amidst a downward spiral that will either land the company in bankruptcy, or more likely, to be acquired or end up as a privately-owned-firm. Unsurprisingly, the uncertain fate of the once Canada-based technology superstar is causing concern from companies and employees of firms that have relied on BlackBerry’s secure devices, enterprise software, and emailing/messaging functionality for many years.

We’ve learned that the concern over BlackBerry’s fate is definitely causing talk internally at one major firm: Boeing, the global aviation and space-based technologies company. According to a source, Boeing currently has just under 41,000 employees using BlackBerry smartphones, and Boeing is not sitting still on the possibility of service interruptions due to BlackBerry’s uncertain fate. We’re told that Boeing has conducted meetings in recent weeks with BlackBerry about this topic. A summary of the meeting was sent via email to Boeing employees:

Even with that assurance from BlackBerry, Boeing is preparing to move its employees to Android devices in the event of BlackBerry service interruptions. Boeing says that the transition process could take around two months.

While communication around which particular Android devices would be employed has been muddled, speculation is that Samsung is a front-runner as well as the US-based Motorola – which might be easier to get through Department of Defense hurdles..

Initial Android devices for Boeing will go into pre-production this month, according to the email. Boeing also says that it is using industry research and analysis to closely monitor the situation with BlackBerry in order to ensure no internal service interruptions. In the event that BlackBerry services become unavailable before Android devices are ready, BlackBerry has a backup plan on stand-by for emailing, calendars, and contact management.

It seems that if BlackBerry does stabilize, Boeing will not immediately switch over to Android devices. But, nonetheless, Boeing is taking the right measures by ensuring communication services for its employees no matter the situation.

Meanwhile, we’ve also learned that Boeing has been conducting small pilots for using Apple’s iPhones in its enterprise, but it is unclear if the iPhones will see a mass-rollout the size of the 40,000+ user base.