Apple showed its serious about getting the popular iPhone into the enterprise Thursday as it released a beta of the iPhone Software Development Toolkit. At the iPhone Software Roadmap, Apple announced support for Microsofts ActiveSync technology, support for Microsoft Exchange, Cisco VPN (virtual private network) and centralized, wireless updates of all phones in the enterprise.
To prove Apples commitment to the enterprise, CEO Steve Jobs pulled out a number of endorsements from familiar companies, including Disney, Genentech and Nike, as well as its technology partners and game developers.
"Apple has really done their homework, addressing issues of security, manageability and integration," said Randy Brooks, Disneys senior vice president for IT strategy and architecture. "We currently have hundreds of iPhone users and expect the demand to grow significantly with this release."
AN UPHILL BATTLE
With support for Exchange ActiveSync, the iPhone "really delivers a true plug-and-play enterprise solution," said Nike CIO Roland Paanakker, adding that his company "looks forward to deploying more iPhones to more business users."
But not so fast. Some analysts and corporate executives want a much closer look under the hood before they let employees bring iPhones into the enterprise. Apple wont win the blessing of the enterprise with press-release quotes, said George McQuillister, client computing architect at Pacific Gas and Electric Co. "I will believe it when I see it," he said.
His position is the same today as it was when the iPhone was first released, McQuill told ComputerWorld. "I was concerned it didnt have the management controls and security we needed." Despite the upcoming iPhone 2.0 software, "its too early for the adoption stage," McQuill said.
JEDI HAND WAVE
Phil Schiller, Apples senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, "seemed to have performed a mighty Jedi hand wave" for "enforced security policies," "device configuration," and "remote wipe," said Andrew Storms, director of security operations at nCircle Network Security, in an e-mail.
Enterprises comfortable with Research in Motions strategy of deploying an intermediary server between users BlackBerry devices and the corporate network may be less comfortable with Apples reliance on ActiveSync.
"Since Apple apparently has chosen to use ActiveSync for Exchange connectivity, they will still have to deal with the enterprises where ActiveSync is not approved. Apple didnt discuss any kind of proprietary messaging or security server, so we are left to assume that they are putting their trust in Microsofts ActiveSync technology to meet the security demands of the enterprise," Storms said.
THE UN-BLACKBERRY
But is Apples decision a liability or a benefit? Rob Enderle, principal analyst with the Enderle Group, said not having an intermediate server gives Apple a clear "potential advantage," especially in the majority of firms that dont deploy secure phone solutions.
"In places that have centralized management systems in place and enforced security policies, however, the iPhone has not yet gone far enough, but the SDK should allow for third parties to create what most may find acceptable," Enderle said in an e-mail.
But will enterprise developers embrace the SDK and fill the gap? "While some enterprise developers have voiced support for the iPhone, itll take some time to sort out exactly how they feel about Apples licensing policies," said Charles King, principal analyst with Pund-IT, in an e-mail.
APPLE MUST REPAIR IMAGE
If the enterprise is to sign on to the iPhone, Apple will have to make up a lot of ground. "Apples success in the enterprise has been minimal at best for well over a decade," King noted.
"Apple doesnt have the image of taking security seriously, and that creates a core risk that will be difficult for an IT or security organization to get over," Enderle said.
"Given the BlackBerrys continuing market leadership and the increasing popularity of Windows Mobile-based smartphones, enterprise developers have demonstrably popular and proven options besides the iPhone. It seems to me that Apple will face some significant challenges in getting those players to support the companys largely untested enterprise ambitions," King said.
To prove Apples commitment to the enterprise, CEO Steve Jobs pulled out a number of endorsements from familiar companies, including Disney, Genentech and Nike, as well as its technology partners and game developers.
"Apple has really done their homework, addressing issues of security, manageability and integration," said Randy Brooks, Disneys senior vice president for IT strategy and architecture. "We currently have hundreds of iPhone users and expect the demand to grow significantly with this release."
AN UPHILL BATTLE
With support for Exchange ActiveSync, the iPhone "really delivers a true plug-and-play enterprise solution," said Nike CIO Roland Paanakker, adding that his company "looks forward to deploying more iPhones to more business users."
But not so fast. Some analysts and corporate executives want a much closer look under the hood before they let employees bring iPhones into the enterprise. Apple wont win the blessing of the enterprise with press-release quotes, said George McQuillister, client computing architect at Pacific Gas and Electric Co. "I will believe it when I see it," he said.
His position is the same today as it was when the iPhone was first released, McQuill told ComputerWorld. "I was concerned it didnt have the management controls and security we needed." Despite the upcoming iPhone 2.0 software, "its too early for the adoption stage," McQuill said.
JEDI HAND WAVE
Phil Schiller, Apples senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, "seemed to have performed a mighty Jedi hand wave" for "enforced security policies," "device configuration," and "remote wipe," said Andrew Storms, director of security operations at nCircle Network Security, in an e-mail.
Enterprises comfortable with Research in Motions strategy of deploying an intermediary server between users BlackBerry devices and the corporate network may be less comfortable with Apples reliance on ActiveSync.
"Since Apple apparently has chosen to use ActiveSync for Exchange connectivity, they will still have to deal with the enterprises where ActiveSync is not approved. Apple didnt discuss any kind of proprietary messaging or security server, so we are left to assume that they are putting their trust in Microsofts ActiveSync technology to meet the security demands of the enterprise," Storms said.
THE UN-BLACKBERRY
But is Apples decision a liability or a benefit? Rob Enderle, principal analyst with the Enderle Group, said not having an intermediate server gives Apple a clear "potential advantage," especially in the majority of firms that dont deploy secure phone solutions.
"In places that have centralized management systems in place and enforced security policies, however, the iPhone has not yet gone far enough, but the SDK should allow for third parties to create what most may find acceptable," Enderle said in an e-mail.
But will enterprise developers embrace the SDK and fill the gap? "While some enterprise developers have voiced support for the iPhone, itll take some time to sort out exactly how they feel about Apples licensing policies," said Charles King, principal analyst with Pund-IT, in an e-mail.
APPLE MUST REPAIR IMAGE
If the enterprise is to sign on to the iPhone, Apple will have to make up a lot of ground. "Apples success in the enterprise has been minimal at best for well over a decade," King noted.
"Apple doesnt have the image of taking security seriously, and that creates a core risk that will be difficult for an IT or security organization to get over," Enderle said.
"Given the BlackBerrys continuing market leadership and the increasing popularity of Windows Mobile-based smartphones, enterprise developers have demonstrably popular and proven options besides the iPhone. It seems to me that Apple will face some significant challenges in getting those players to support the companys largely untested enterprise ambitions," King said.
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar