Why Your IT Department Doesn’t Love the iPhone
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DC wrote in to say he and his colleagues feel that Apple should try and market the iPhone to IT and corporate professionals, because of the obvious increase in revenue. Here is his list of reasons why IT Departments hate the iPhone.
- Doesn’t natively support push business email or over-the-air calendar synchronization The iPhone can sync with Microsoft’s Exchange and IBM’s Lotus Notes over IMAP and SMTP ports, but your server and security admins have to configure their infrastructure to do so or purchase a mobile gateway from Synchronica or Azaleos.
- Doesn’t accommodate third-party applications, including those internally developed This is a show stopper for companies with enterprise mobility initiatives that require line-of-business applications like mobile sales force automation or an industry-specific application like mobile claims.
- Lacks a hard keypad that provides feedback, which isn’t ideal for rapid and accurate input Many respected journalists have come to the conclusion that ultimately the keyboard “is a nonissue,” but only after five days of use. In speaking with enterprise-class mobile device users on a daily basis, the vast majority have found that they need some form of tactile feedback from their QWERTY or numeric keyboards.
- Lacks a removable battery, so when the battery kicks it, so does the device Apple does not sell replacement batteries for the iPhone. So when the battery dies, so does worker productivity.
- Is only the first generation Even Apple enthusiasts admit that there are some weaknesses they’d like to see fixed in future generations, like making it easier to activate the device, improving the battery life and sound quality, and, most importantly, allowing it to connect to higher-speed networks (3G).
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39 Comments
Useful Habits
January 1st, 1970
at 12:00am
Steve A.
December 20th, 2007
at 8:21am
As an IT manager, I’m fairly annoyed with our two iPhone users. The above suggestion to buy a Synchronica server for a small number of users so they too can do business is downright laughable. Also, they don’t mention that Apple doesn’t give any discounts to business buyers.
We can buy nearly any ’smart phone’ on the market for pennies on the dollar with corporate discounts. So far, with our clients, the iPhone accounts for about 1 out of every 50 smart phones out there.
EDS01475634763
December 20th, 2007
at 9:17am
You are an ***, If you have no polite comments dont make comments simple as that.
CynicalGeek
December 20th, 2007
at 9:22am
I’d love to have an iPhone myself (I began with a Treo 650 and now have a Treo 680.)
My problem as a IT admin is that we use Good Mobile Messaging to control policies on users’ phones as well as the syncing.
If Apple/Good supported the iPhone on Good Mobile Messaging, well I might just get one.
I think Apple is doing a good job with the iPhone thus far!!!
blade831
December 20th, 2007
at 12:10pm
This is not a buisiness orianted phone, but its for fun, dont think this is a blackjack. How i wants one!
~KrnSidez
shinobininja090
December 20th, 2007
at 1:08pm
i hate ipods
jbelkin
December 20th, 2007
at 1:13pm
AS you point out, there are ready solutions including 3rd party loadable in February - and from day one, Apple can replace your battery - you just can’t do it yourself - big whoop. You shouldn’t try and change the transmission in a white cargo van, does that stop corporations from buying it? No, the ONLY reason IT hates the iPhone is because they are lazy and bureaucrats - like the DMV, instead of SERVING and SUPPORTING that they are supposed to do, they somewhere along the line think they are GATEKEEPERS of some secret world … this is the same department that lets people copy 25,000 SS’s numbers or credit card accounts onto a laptop and months later, realizes it’s missing. They are worried about emails? bwhahahaha. In the 1980’s, IT might know more than us but now, they are not even as smart as the Geek Squad and as with bureaucrats, afraid of anything “new.” Better just to reject it and make life easier.
Rumblo
December 20th, 2007
at 1:52pm
…
They don’t support iPhone coverage in North Dakota.
Goddammit.
kippis05
December 20th, 2007
at 3:01pm
Yeah, also don’t forget the fact that it typically costs from $79-$100 depending on where you get your iPhone serviced… Apple’s strategy is to manufacture devices that are great in the here and now, but eventually fail down the road (appox. 2 yrs.) so you go and purchase another device. It’s the corporate world, I guess…….
IKLIPTIC
December 20th, 2007
at 4:01pm
Get an MDA instead of the Blackjack, most of my friends have tried it and the Pearl and keep coming back to the Wing, MDA and BlackBerry. I have had an MDA for almost 2 years now and most of what Chris says about the iPhone i completely dissagree with. A removeable battery a non issue? Crazy. A Physical keyboard a non issue? Crazy. No styles provided, many issues with the iPhone. I want one but untill they offer all the things mentioned i wont buy one.
IKLIPTIC
December 20th, 2007
at 4:02pm
Your right Chris just went left instead of right and was still wrong. He offer an option for a problem but avoided the solution completely.
buggs156
December 20th, 2007
at 8:38pm
So true, one of the reasons I bought a Ipod touch… the lack of features on the Ipod touch is very frustrating. It seems as though the Iphone is a very closed product and being only available on the the AT&T network makes me mad… I love the verizon network in our area…
If I wasent in a contract with Verizon… I’d buy up a Iphone in a heartbeat…
Its a nice product… Its just lots of things need to be put into the Iphone… that will soon happen..
I do love my Ipod Touch. It is a very nice product except for the lack of Blue tooth.
Buggs156
KrnSidez
December 20th, 2007
at 9:16pm
As i said on Youtube:
This is not a buisiness orianted phone, but its for fun, dont think this is a blackjack. However i wants the iPhone! i wants one!
~KrnSidez
Constable Odo
December 20th, 2007
at 10:37pm
Too early for the iPhone to be dismissed as a corporate contender. It certainly doesn’t have the capability at this point in time. It was never geared for business. It’s just a very good consumer phone that could be used by many businesses, but it is not the ultimate business phone. The BlackBerry already holds that distinction.
Wait at least a few months after the SDK is out and we’ll see what apps there are to give it a shot in the corporate world. The iPhone will probably be very useful in small to medium businesses and that may be a larger customer base. Right now the iPhone is hobbled by it’s limited software, but things should pick up rather soon during the first quarter of 2008. I firmly believe the iPhone was rushed out the door with the barest of necessities. Probably not enough iPhone app programmers to go around being it’s a new platform and all. Give it a full year and we’ll see how things shape up. It should be very interesting.
VyperBlade
December 21st, 2007
at 12:50am
opinions are like asses :P
PlayerXT
December 21st, 2007
at 3:19am
I have 3 reasons for avoiding the iPhone.
The service it’s locked to is expensive
The phone itself is expensive
There’s nothing to warrant replacing my K800i
whitesoap
December 21st, 2007
at 4:47am
Why Your IT Department Doesn’t Love the iPhone
nadsta26
December 21st, 2007
at 7:08am
you are a ******* ****** with no life.
creativeatheart
December 21st, 2007
at 7:22am
Use an iphone for a month - you’ll never go back!
creativeatheart
December 21st, 2007
at 7:23am
yh, fun to have a go with, but eventually pointless!
yolopsynanga
December 21st, 2007
at 10:39am
i jus got the nokia 5310 xpress music mobile phone and it does all what the iphone does in less detail, but who needs all of that
KusuriRX
December 21st, 2007
at 12:49pm
I did, right back to my e60i… my e60i didn’t go all smudgy and scratchy, and the screen didn’t crack because i sat down with it in my pocket… oops…
mikto
December 21st, 2007
at 1:28pm
yolopsynanga - you’re funny!
GergCofC
December 21st, 2007
at 6:05pm
I’m getting an iPhone for Christmas. I’m really looking forward to it. I don’t look to have any problems with an IT Department in the near future, but these are definitely valid points to consider.
Windows Vista Torrent
December 21st, 2007
at 6:36pm
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DerelictDreams
December 22nd, 2007
at 2:45am
I’m hoping Santa will get me an iPod Flea this Christmas. =]
ImNotOk123
December 22nd, 2007
at 4:33am
iSuck
PlayerXT
December 23rd, 2007
at 3:18am
I would consider one along with several other phones including the Nokia N95 if my k800i broke and I needed a data service but for now I don’t see the point in replacing a perfectly good phone.
RichardR
December 23rd, 2007
at 8:31am
Doesn’t the iPhone require the installation of iTunes on the iPhone user’s computer? And doesn’t iTunes import an audio cd onto the user’s hard drive if the user merely wants to play the audio cd on the cd-rom drive? We had one user with 15 gbs. of audio files on our server from iTunes.
macman10000
December 23rd, 2007
at 12:55pm
you do suck! Dumbass Prick!
3hraad
December 25th, 2007
at 1:50am
n95 8gb!!!!! come on, its way better than the iphone
manaftergod33
December 26th, 2007
at 6:49pm
nice burp
ImNotOk123
December 28th, 2007
at 3:34am
wtf dont get so touchy
:-)
iPhone 24×7
December 28th, 2007
at 5:23am
features Apple though in for the normal consumer such as the iPod functionality or even the ability to expand in the future to use applications that have no business use. Chris Pirillo touches on this with one of his recent videos, “Why Your It Department Doesn’t Love the iPhone“. The next letter makes an important realization that is true. People skip over how Apple truely did innovate the phone industry. If other phone manufactures want to have the “next big thing” they will have to incorporate some of the
yolopsynanga
January 1st, 2008
at 8:15am
why, because im fat lol
homoo7
January 30th, 2008
at 1:20pm
i love u u are my hero
MattPippen.com
February 8th, 2008
at 11:49pm
for fun” features Apple though in for the normal consumer such as the iPod functionality or even the ability to expand in the future to use applications that have no business use. Chris Pirillo touches on this with one of his recent videos, “Why Your It Department Doesn’t Love the iPhone“. The next letter makes an important realization that is true. People skip over how Apple truely did innovate the phone industry. If other phone manufactures want to have the “next big thing” they will have to incorporate some of the
MiramarMike.co.nz
May 6th, 2008
at 8:40am
Apple takes iPhone corporate in a big wayThe Coming Battle: Apple’s iPhone vs. Corporate IT DepartmentsWhat the iPhone can — and can’t — provide enterprise usersSetting up a corporate email server for iPhone and iPod touchWhy Your IT Department Doesn’t Love the iPhoneThe Blurring Boundary between Consumer and Corporate Technologies
Planet NZTech
May 6th, 2008
at 1:56pm
Apple takes iPhone corporate in a big wayThe Coming Battle: Apple’s iPhone vs. Corporate IT DepartmentsWhat the iPhone can — and can’t — provide enterprise usersSetting up a corporate email server for iPhone and iPod touchWhy Your IT Department Doesn’t Love the iPhoneThe Blurring Boundary between Consumer and Corporate Technologies