While Blackberry manufacturer Research in Motion continues to claim reports of its death are greatly exaggerated, corporate customers in Australia are mulling the alternatives and voting with their feet.

Anxious not to be left in the lurch, some local enterprise users have sought advice about their options, should RIM's spectacular downward spiral leave the platform unsupported, while others continue quiet defection to other smartphones.

RIM CEO Thorsten Heins speaks at the BlackBerry World event in Orlando, Florida in May. Credit:Reuters

Canadian-based RIM has seen its share price plunge from more than $US30 a year ago to less than $US8 this week, on the back of a stream of bad news. It recently announced a first quarter loss of $518 million, the slashing of 5000 jobs and the delayed release of the Blackberry 10. At its annual shareholder meeting this week, chief executive Thorsten Heins pleaded for patience.

Meanwhile, the door of RIM's executive suite has been revolving at double speed, with the departure of a series of senior staff, including in Australia where ship jumpers included long-time CEO Adele Beachley, who left in January, and her replacement Ray Gillenwater, who lasted just four months in the job before handing over to marketing chief Matt Ball earlier this week.