Katie MarsalMarket research firm Gartner, which had previously shunned Apple Inc.'s iPhone as a consumer-oriented tablet device not fit for the enterprise, has changed its stance.
Following the release of those improvements as part of iPhone software v2.0 this June, Gartner said it will endorse the handset under “appliance-level†support status, which permits the device to be used for PIM, e-mail, telephony and browsing applications. It would also deem the device fit to be used for other dedicated functions where the software is supplied by a third party, functionality is kept to a restricted set, the software supplier offers support for a backup platform, and IT development resources are not needed to program custom code locally residing on the device.
“In its initial release, the iPhone was, with few exceptions, an Internet tablet with browser-based applications as its main offering, however, the release of firmware 2.0 changes that, enabling enterprises to develop local code and create applications that do not depend on network capabilities,†said Gartner analyst and vice president Ken Dulaney. “The iPhone will thus match up initially in several segments against its main smartphone competitors — BlackBerry, Windows Mobile and Symbian Series 60.â€
Earlier this month Apple announced an iPhone Software Developers Kit (SDK) that will allow third-parties to develop proprietary applications for v2.0 of the iPhone software. The Cupertino-based firm also said that it had licensed Microsoft's ActiveSync protocol suite, and was adding support for Cisco IPSEC and WPA2 security for Wi-Fi connections.
“By licensing Exchange ActiveSync and exposing its basic security policies, enterprises can provide sufficient security for iPhone during Exchange personal information manager (PIM) and e-mail use,†Dulaney said. “This will open up a huge market for the iPhone, which previously had been stymied by a lack of basic business security and application functionality. However, Apple must widen distribution and of course deliver what they have promised.â€
iPhones trickling into the enterprise would also likely have a residual affect on Apple's brand awareness amongst corporate employees, which could spur additive sales, according to Gartner. But at the same time, the firm said this will push enterprises to invest in technologies with which they are unfamiliar and that require training and further investment.
“Management of the iPhone outside the Exchange e-mail/PIM application will require familiarity with new products such as Apple’s iPhone Configuration Utility," Dulaney said. "And enterprises should thoroughly review the platform’s management and security options to understand how they can control any consumer elements of the platform that may pose a risk."
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40 Comments
WOOT first post (why are so many people excited about this?)
On to business -- maybe I'm confused, I thought that apple had one of the best secruity records around. I know, I know they're a small target, and aren't hit with the full fury of the window's ghetto, but still its more a listing of their responsiveness to percieved threats -- rarely more than a 30 day response time, and often within 7 for genuine threats.
That all being said, why are the analysts so sure about the iPhone either way. If I recally correctly, the bad security accusations were coming out before the iPhone -- making it a blind guess. Now its all good, months before the application is upgraded. If I recally correctly, security holes are subtle things, aka if it was obvious, the programmers would have patched them. How does an analyst know whether they're there? Do they have the best hackers in the world?
if they do, are they plotting something?
what are they plotting?
I'm getting out the tinfoil hat.
? it'd be great if the remote erase idea would be introduced on the Macbooks & Macbook pros.
And the new iPhone OS touch could be a new foundation to build the new almighty mouse upon. Boo to the current Mighty Mouse, die mouse die!!! ngngnghh
Almost nothing to do with this tread, but just first thoughts.
I for one would love to have the new Apple keyboard with a Air touch pad. Just please split the click bar.
[QUOTE]what are they plotting?
I'm getting out the tinfoil hat./QUOTE]
I think there is something funny in the apple coolaide today. I am going for seconds.
[QUOTE]And the new iPhone OS touch could be a new foundation to build the new almighty mouse upon. Boo to the current Mighty Mouse, die mouse die!!! ngngnghhQUOTE]
Amen brother. One day I got so irritated with my mighty mouse that I chucked it out the window into the backyard. It must have been a funny sight because my neighboors still talk about it.
WOOT first post (why are so many people excited about this?)
On to business -- maybe I'm confused, I thought that apple had one of the best secruity records around. I know, I know they're a small target, and aren't hit with the full fury of the window's ghetto, but still its more a listing of their responsiveness to percieved threats -- rarely more than a 30 day response time, and often within 7 for genuine threats.
That all being said, why are the analysts so sure about the iPhone either way. If I recally correctly, the bad security accusations were coming out before the iPhone -- making it a blind guess. Now its all good, months before the application is upgraded. If I recally correctly, security holes are subtle things, aka if it was obvious, the programmers would have patched them. How does an analyst know whether they're there? Do they have the best hackers in the world?
The remote wipe makes it more secure after its lost or stolen. This is a must for many businesses, even though you can easily put it into Airport Mode to avoid the wipe being recieved
As for security holes there is still a possibility for that. The eariler reports of the iPhone being a target but Macs are not due to marketshare is bogus. There are million more Macs being sold each quarter and even when the iPhone overtakes Mac sales (which it will) there will still be a higher marketshare for Macs do to the smaller number of PCs sold comapred to cel phones.
? it'd be great if the remote erase idea would be introduced on the Macbooks & Macbook pros.
And the new iPhone OS touch could be a new foundation to build the new almighty mouse upon. Boo to the current Mighty Mouse, die mouse die!!! ngngnghh
Almost nothing to do with this tread, but just first thoughts.
I don't think this would be too hard to accomplish. There is already a way to track your stolen Mac. Apple could certainly implement something, say through .Mac, that checks to see if it's been reported and that you've requested a data wipe, but any developer could implement this as well.
I hope that I'll be able to remote wipe my iPhone without using Exchange.
IJust please split the click bar.
If Apple didn't create two button mouse button on their notebook when they were dying and before multi-touch trackpads, they surely won't do it now that they are thriving and the much easier, IMO, tow finger on trackpad to create Option+Click now exists.