One more about analysts, ha, you got to love’em. Some hate the Palm Pre and even dare to called it dead on arrival before it was launch – I’m happy to say he was wrong – and others give the Pre a break. But this time is something good for a change. Analyst Ken Dulaney of Gartner Research recently upgraded the company’s enterprise category for the Pre from “Concierge” to “Appliance”.

Dulaney based on fact and testing, said recently;

We have tested the latest version 1.1 release of the Palm webOS software that contained an update to enable two Microsoft Exchange security policies that are required for appliance-level enterprise support. The Palm Pre passed those tests.

So now, the Palm Pre is categorize – along with BlackBerry, Windows Mobile devices, Nokia E-Series phones and Apple iPhones – in the appliance category. If you want to read the full two pages report, you’ll need to buy it for $195.00 here.

Gartner classifies smartphones into three categories. First, devices that can access e-mail without security measures, as well as run other, simple applications are granted “concierge” status. The second is in Gartner terms, “appliance-level” devices. These devices can sync with Exchange, have basic security measures, such as device wipe and passwords, and can run a wide range of third-party applications. Last, there’s “platform-grade” devices. These are devices that Gartner recommends for companies that wish to develop their own in-house applications, but can also run third-party apps and have the necessary vendor support.

[Via Precentral]