Sam Oliver
Corporate users will soon have one more reason to choose Apple's mobile devices over those from other firms, as networking behemoth Cisco is set to team up with the Cupertino company to optimize enterprise networks for iPhones, iPads, and iOS apps.
The two Silicon Valley stalwarts will work together to ensure that iOS devices work more efficiently on Cisco-powered networks, including deeper integration with Cisco's industry standard voice and video communications products. Corporate users might be able to use their iPhone or the Cisco handset on their desk interchangeably, for example.
"iOS is the world's best mobile platform, and nearly every Fortune 500 and Global 500 company today has put iOS at the center of their mobile strategy," Apple chief Tim Cook said in a release. "iPhone and iPad have become essential tools for the modern workforce and are changing the way work gets done. Together with Cisco, we believe we can give businesses the tools to maximize the potential of iOS and help employees become even more productive using the devices they already love."
This marks the second time in the past year that Apple has sought to expand its enterprise share by collaborating with traditional corporate IT providers. Last July, the company unveiled a wide-ranging partnership with IBM.
Like IBM, Cisco has deep roots in the enterprise. The company is the largest provider of enterprise networking devices and networked services in the world, and its offerings touch nearly every facet of corporate telecommunications.
"Through this engineering and go-to-market partnership, we're offering our joint customers the ability to seamlessly extend that awesome Cisco environment to their favorite iOS devices," Cisco Executive Chairman John Chambers said. "Together, we're going to help teams achieve higher levels of productivity and effectiveness."
Other Cisco services that will see tighter iOS integration include WebEx, Spark, and Telepresence.
William Gallagher
Wesley Hilliard
Christine McKee
Andrew Orr
Andrew O'Hara
34 Comments
Can someone cut through the corporate jargon and explain exactly what this means?
Can someone cut through the corporate jargon and explain exactly what this means?
Cisco reaffirmed its commitment to producing white papers and other advertising featuring Apple devices.
Maybe this will convince Cisco to improve WebEx for Mac:
1. Outlook productivity tools not working in Outlook 2016.
2. WebEx recordings can't be converted using a Mac.
It mean IT department will expend more on AAPL stuffs.
[quote name="Rogifan" url="/t/187947/apple-continues-enterprise-push-with-new-cisco-partnership-will-optimize-networks-for-ios#post_2768357"]Can someone cut through the corporate jargon and explain exactly what this means?[/quote] The one feature that would be possible is "follow me" telepresence using iPhones. So instead of a desk phone and a cell phone, a company can just issue an iPhone to employees and when you're in the office, the calls will reach your iPhone via wifi, then when you step outside the building, it seamlessly switches to AT&T or Rogers or T-Mobile or what-have-you without interruption. I can also see better VPN integration into iOS so someone can roam around the office using an iPad, for example, while still maintaining a secure connection for all data. Aside from those examples, there might be some other proprietary protocols offered by Cisco that iPhone + iPad could support, but I'm not familiar with those.