Is Apple is an business-focused company or a consumer-focused firm? Most people who are asked this would undoubtedly say the latter. But Apple has said in the past that although it caters to consumers, it delivers an enterprise component that companies can get behind. And in recent years, it has made strides at changing the way people perceive its efforts in the enterprise as its iPhone and iPad have infiltrated that realm. But full inspection of Apple’s decision-making quickly reveals that the company is all about consumers. And in some respects, it has turned its back on the enterprise, deciding instead to force corporate customers to give in to Apple’s demands with its products. Of course, that’s not all that new from Apple. But as it continues to say that it’s an enterprise-focused firm, the company isn’t proving it. Simply put, Apple has turned its back on the enterprise in a big way. And the company doesn’t seem to be willing to acquiesce to corporate demands. Read on to find out why Apple has turned its back on the enterprise, and why it might eventually pay off:
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Xserve Wasn’t Working
When Apple announced that it would discontinue Xserve by the end of January, it wasn’t much of a surprise to the vast majority of enterprise customers that care about those products. Xserve was the also-ran in the marketplace. And it’s clear now that Xserve didn’t cut it. But in the process, Apple showed that it has no desire to be an enterprise-focused firm.
Mac OS X Doesn’t Cut It
Apple’s Mac OS X operating system is fine for consumers. But when it comes to enterprise customers, the OS falls short in a big way. And for now, it seems that Apple doesn’t care all that much. The company is just fine delivering new versions of Mac OS X with consumers in mind. Its next update, Lion, is proof of that.
Windows 7
Windows 7 has caused Apple to change its stance on the enterprise. When Windows Vista was on-sale, Apple realized that it had a chance to capitalize on the corporate world, since firms didn’t want to adopt the new operating system. But with Windows 7, it’s clear now that Microsoft still has a firm grasp on the corporate world. And Apple has now resigned itself to the realization that the future is in the consumer market.
The iPad Is Just Fine
Apple’s iPad is great for consumers, but enterprise customers are having some trouble deciding if they should deploy the company’s tablet in their operations. For its part, Apple doesn’t seem willing to make that decision easy. The company hasn’t made the iPad more enterprise-friendly. And it’s asking companies to either accept the iPad’s enterprise shortcomings or go elsewhere.
The iPhone Is A Take-It-Or-Leave-It Product
Much like the iPad, Apple’s iPhone is a take-it-or-leave-it kind of device. The smartphone is a decidedly consumer-focused product that could potentially provide a productivity issue when employees get their hands on it, and download all the programs available to it. But by not making the iPhone more BlackBerry-like, Apple has shown once again that if the enterprise wants its smartphone, it will need to accept the device’s issues.
Steve Jobs Doesn’t Focus On the Enterprise
Steve Jobs is widely regarded as an exceptionally successful CEO. But that doesn’t mean that his success is universal. Quite the contrary, the Apple chief is extremely successful in the consumer space, but its enterprise success has been limited. Realizing that, Jobs doesn’t seem like the ideal candidate to make Apple look towards the corporate world.
It Has No Choice
Apple might have no choice but to focus its efforts on consumers and ignore the enterprise. As noted, the company has been cornered out of the enterprise. And its best successes have come in the consumer market. Realizing that, it can either try to capitalize on the business world or continue to succeed in the consumer space. When given those two options, the decision seems obvious.
Apple Is About Entertainment
Apple seems to be focusing more of its efforts on entertainment than it has in the past. And when it comes to appealing to corporate customers, entertainment is not one area that the enterprise responds well to. With the iPad becoming more and more entertainment-friendly, the company seems to be showing that it’s content to focus on consumers—and ignore enterprise customers.
RIM Isn’t A Threat
RIM is undoubtedly a major player in the mobile market, but it’s clear now that the company is on the way down as Google and Apple continue to do a better job of appealing to customers. In the process, Apple is getting the support it needs to believe that its consumer focus is more beneficial to its business than an enterprise focus. After all, if the enterprise was as lucrative as the consumer market is, Apple would be trying to be more RIM-like. But it isn’t.
Things Will Eventually Change
When it’s all said and done, Apple realizes that the enterprise market is becoming more consumer-like by the day. Companies are now considering deploying iPads. They are warming to the idea of offering iPhones in their operations. And it’s all being done on Apple’s terms. Apple seems to realize that. So, why shouldn’t it turn its back on the enterprise for now? Corporate customers are doing a fine job of doing what Apple wants.
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