Apple's Plans for iPhone in the Enterprise - The SHIFT
After Apple announced the iPhone, we detailed several limitations that prevent the iPhone from being readily integrated as an enterprise-class device within an organization. Apple has recently announced plans to address five of the seven issues we outlined:
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Outlook email connection and management – With Apple's new 2.0 software, the iPhone can now communicate directly with your Microsoft Exchange Server via Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, giving users push email, contacts, and calendar. Exchange ActiveSync maintains a connection between Exchange Server and iPhone so when a new email message or meeting invitation arrives, iPhone is instantly updated -- just like the BlackBerry.
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Outlook calendar & contacts – Apple is enabling calendar and contact information to be pushed to the iPhone as part of its iPhone 2.0 software update that supports Microsoft ActiveSync. This will replace the necessary, but inconvenient, physical connection that was initially required between the iPhone and users’ computers to update the Outlook calendar and contacts.
- Closed environment /Few applications – The iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK) is now available to those who register as developers. The iPhone SDK provides tools, samples and native iPhone programming interfaces to create iPhone applications.
In an effort to boost the number of applications available on the iPhone, Apple has joined forces with Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers to offer an iPhone venture capital fund that intends to invest $100 million in companies that create iPhone applications.
- Data security –Apple is addressing some of the data security issues, including enforcement of password protection and enhanced security by providing access to Cisco IPsec VPN and WAP2.
- Data delete and remote lock down –Apple will offer the ability to wipe a stolen device clean via an enterprise-wide administration console, thereby protecting confidential company information should the iPhone be lost or stolen.
Remaining Limitations
Two limitations remain for the use of the iPhone in the enterprise:
- Touch keyboard – The iPhone keyboard is a touch screen device, without a raised keypad like the Blackberry or Treo. Therefore, there is no tactile response of hitting a key for the user. iPhone users need to pay extra attention when typing to avoid inaccuracies.
- Limited international connection – So far, the iPhone is only able to be used in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States with specific carriers within each country. For international business travelers, this may present a problem when traveling outside out these locations and iPhone access is necessary.
Additional enhancements
The new iPhone will run on AT&T’s 3G network, which provides much improved data speeds over AT&T's previous EDGE network. This means that you will now be able to download attachments and web pages over two times faster.
Apple is releasing a 2.0 software upgrade for existing iPhone devices which will provide support for ActiveSync. As with any phone operating system upgrade, the owner of the phone should contact their phone service provider for assistance.
Is iPhone Ready for the Enterprise?
With the exception of these two remaining limitations, Apple clearly has recognized many of the initial enterprise support deficiencies, is starting to actively address them and will likely continue to provide users with additional solutions in future generations of the product.
Last issue: The Limitations of iPhone for the Enterprise