AT&T Incorporated, formerly (or so AT&T hopes) known as Cingular, plans to market the iPhone to business users and is now working hard to ensure that its backend enterprise billing and support systems will accommodate the device when it ships. At least, if you believe an anonymous source familiar with the company's plans. An AT&T spokesman would not confirm such claims.
The idea of marketing the iPhone as an enterprise product baffles some analysts. The iPhone is expected to have a number of shortcomings for business users, said Ken Dulaney, an analyst with Gartner. For example, the phone has multiple processors, which consumes more battery life – and yet it doesn't have a removable battery. "You'd be crazy to buy without that." It also comes with a touch screen and no buttons, making it difficult for users to dial while driving, he noted. Avi Greengart, principal analyst for mobile devices at Current Analysis, was told by Apple that enterprises won't be able to write applications for the phone. "Companies like to extend corporate apps to the mobile space and in order to do that you need an open OS.” Mobile operating system developers like Windows, Symbian and BlackBerry enable third parties to write applications based on their software. Since the iPhone isn't available yet, there's a chance that it could launch with applications that might appeal to business users, but Greengart said he'd be surprised if it did.
News source: PC World
The idea of marketing the iPhone as an enterprise product baffles some analysts. The iPhone is expected to have a number of shortcomings for business users, said Ken Dulaney, an analyst with Gartner. For example, the phone has multiple processors, which consumes more battery life – and yet it doesn't have a removable battery. "You'd be crazy to buy without that." It also comes with a touch screen and no buttons, making it difficult for users to dial while driving, he noted. Avi Greengart, principal analyst for mobile devices at Current Analysis, was told by Apple that enterprises won't be able to write applications for the phone. "Companies like to extend corporate apps to the mobile space and in order to do that you need an open OS.” Mobile operating system developers like Windows, Symbian and BlackBerry enable third parties to write applications based on their software. Since the iPhone isn't available yet, there's a chance that it could launch with applications that might appeal to business users, but Greengart said he'd be surprised if it did.
News source: PC World
What businesses is AT&T targetting? I know the IT department where I work (in charge of manufacturing plants) will never touch an Apple product for enterprise use, especially the iPhone. Our budget is small enough as it is...
giving a business man a iphone its like giving them a PSP/Wii/DS/PS3. they would be better with a Nokia E61i or something.
Well said!
if it is not that expensive, apple can target general consumers. And they will be better off by doing so.
Not only all this but the WinMo 5+ devices can erase all data in the event someone looses their smartphone.
The other handset creators have got this all right. Why is it so difficult for apple? Why is cingular stupid and targeting this at the wrong audience who wont care since it doesnt do what will be needed of it?
The iPhone is an expensive toy for pretentious teenagers.
By the time this hits the market it'll have even more competition from companies with their own fashion-orientated products..
The iPhone introduces new features, none of which are needed in a business sense, no matter how "cool" they look from a consumer perspective.
It's not like "new features" are some sort of Mecca that business users gravitate toward. Rather, its specific features; none of which are in in the iPhone.
It's the geeky and/or overworked execs or the techs or the exec admins that are thumbing away on their CrackBerries, not the CEO, President, and Board Members... maybe the CFO and COO though.
I bet there is plenty of room for the iPhone in business. And this isn't even about a major advertising push anyway; it simply states they are making sure that their enterprise accounts have it as an option. It's not as if they are wasting huge money on a pointless advertising campaign and/or focusing solely on the wrong market at the expense of other markets.
They will also not choose what Blackberry device or Iphone they will get. The business will decide which device will be used and everyone entitled to it will get one. It's all about security. Do people really believe, businesses will hand out Iphones to travelling business people, so they can connect the device at home to their PC and fill it up with pictures, video and music files and other stuff? That would be a major security breach. How is the IT department supposed to control anything like that? The business also cares more about the functionality and compatibility of things, who cares about the coolness factor in this situation?
Who said anything about traveling business people? And do you really think the iPhone is anymore a security risk than a cheap keydrive?
And, yes, most execs care more about image than technical functionality. The businesses I've worked for: the execs were rainmakers, shmoozers... They played golf, entertained clients, ran up 4 to 5 figure expense reports to impress clients and get millions in business. They didn't care about being in constant communication. They either were in the know anyway or would rely on telephone communication or their assistants. For them, yes, having the most desirable, image conscious, gadgets was more significant. And it was IT's function to gladly serve them. IT did not dictate to them.
They will also not choose what Blackberry device or Iphone they will get. The business will decide which device will be used and everyone entitled to it will get one. It's all about security. Do people really believe, businesses will hand out Iphones to travelling business people, so they can connect the device at home to their PC and fill it up with pictures, video and music files and other stuff? That would be a major security breach. How is the IT department supposed to control anything like that? The business also cares more about the functionality and compatibility of things, who cares about the coolness factor in this situation?
I guarantee that your company is not normal in this respect.
With traveling business people I meant people out of the office, and/or travelling.
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