Apple’s iPhone has been an unbridled success. Consumers are buying the device more than any other single smartphone on the market. And that rate of adoption is unlikely to subside anytime soon. But the corporate world is a different place. Although the iPhone is becoming more popular among IT decision makers, often initially brought into companies by executives, the iPhone still not where Apple would like to see it in terms of enterprise adoption. But that doesn’t mean that the iPhone hasn’t made an impact in the enterprise. Apple’s device has made significant inroads in the corporate space among business users. And because of the appeal of Apple’s iPhone in business and, on the other hand, remaining objections to the widespread adoption of Apple’s popular smartphone in corporations, we are in a position to learn a lot about what business users and IT decision makers really want. Read on to find out what the iPhone tells the world about smartphones and business.
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Smartphones Are In
If nothing else, Apple proves that at least for enterprise customers, smartpones are in. After all, if they weren’t, companies wouldn’t even consider trying to bring the iPhone to their employees. But they are. And an increasing number of firms are seeing value in Apple’s smartphone. That, if nothing else, proves just how important smartphones really are in today’s workforce.
Touch Screens Matter
Touch screens aren’t necessarily the most important aspect of a smartphone to most companies, but the iPhone has at least made them a consideration. Companies are now deciding if touch screens improve productivity or if they hurt it. If it’s the former, they are more likely to adopt the iPhone. If it’s the latter, they won’t.
Apps Reign Supreme
In previous years, applications didn’t matter all that much to corporate customers. But applications have been focusing more on corporate users as of late. And in the process, more companies are seeing value in those apps. That’s good news for Apple, which leads the mobile-app markets. And it’s likely good news for employees trying to be more productive.
Apple Has A Way In
Although Apple hasn’t been entirely successful bringing its iPhone to the enterprise, the company has made some headway. And it’s possible that going forward, Apple can capitalize on the iPhone’s tempered success in the enterprise by bringing more of its products to that space. There’s no telling if Apple will be able to capitalize, but at this point, it seems more possible than ever.
The BlackBerry Still Has It
RIM’s BlackBerry might not be the most popular device right now, but it’s still widely used in the enterprise. And even though Apple has been trying to make strides in the corporate world, it’s RIM that continues to reign supreme.
Microsoft Might Have Trouble
Apple’s iPhone has been stealing market share away from Microsoft in the mobile market. Going forward, it’s tough to see how Windows Phone 7 can counteract that market movement. Simply put, Microsoft has been too far out of the enterprise game for it to effectively match what Apple is offering.
Android OS Has A Shot
Like Apple, Google is trying to target the corporate world. It’s doing so with Android OS, its answer to iOS. A few years ago, it might have had some trouble, since so many companies were heavily invested in old-style mobile operating systems. But today, all that has changed. And Apple has opened the door for Android OS to capitalize. Look for Google’s operating system to make significantly more headway in the enterprise going forward.
Windows Isn’t So Important
Windows just doesn’t matter as much as it once did. Years ago, Windows Mobile was desired because it delivered a full Windows-to-Windows experience. BlackBerry OS also focused on Windows integration. Nowadays, mobile platforms are OS-agnostic. And Apple’s iPhone, along with other devices, has made it clear that Windows isn’t the be-all, end-all that it once was.
Mobility Matters
The iPhone shows just how important mobility really is to the corporate world. At one time, notebooks were just starting to make their way to companies. Now, they’re fully in place and companies are now focusing their efforts on smartphones. The iPhone is proof of that. And going forward, smartphone adoption will continue to rise via the iPhone and other devices.
Barriers to Entry Are High
In the consumer space, Apple didn’t waste time capturing a large portion of the market. But the corporate world has been different. And its inability to supplant RIM in that space proves just how high the barriers to entry really are in the corporate world.
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