Memos show AT&T in frantic preparaton for Apple's "iDay"

[AppleInsider]

AT&T is taking no chances with the launch of the iPhone, and new information suggests that most staff will see their roles -- and their privileges -- turned upside-down to please customers.

While it's increasingly public knowledge that AT&T will temporarily close stores and is hiring crowd control to prevent chaos during the June 29th iPhone launch, the measures being taken to smooth out the release day -- known to AT&T as "iDay" -- are now known to be even more substantial than first thought.

AT&T guides obtained by AppleInsider reveal that the wireless carrier will pull existing staff from ordinary roles to streamline the anticipated workload. In many circumstances, the firm will ask even those that work the backrooms of its stores to temporarily fill new positions.

The corporate memo pays particular attention to those who will man the front lines of the launch. Besides bringing in the temporary workers hired just for the event, AT&T is recommending that its stores keep multiple existing staff available just to manage the queues expected outside of each shop. Marketing, sales, and regional staff will be added to the crowd control roster, even during the morning shifts. These same employees may also need to greet customers at the door, the note says.

Product experts will also be expected to shift their attention from ordinary duties during the crucial 3PM to 10PM phase. Marketers and floorwalkers alike should spend most of their time around the custom iPhone demo booths giving presentations to interested customers.

And unsurprisingly, extra care is being taken to watch inventory on the 29th, with at least one trusted staff member on hand at all times of the day to guard stock and deliver it to the front -- even if an assistant manager must fill in during a break, the company says. Third-party accessories are already beginning to arrive, as illustrated by photos below.

Moreover, virtually all employees will be asked to give up some of their typical comforts for the sake of the iPhone introduction. To discourage employees from exploiting their positions and buying iPhones intended for new customers, none of the discounts that normally apply to either devices or plans will hold true for Apple's cellphone.

Staffers will also have to accommodate Apple's characteristically high level of secrecy during this final week before the launch. Special updates, dubbed "iReady" messages, will reach company inboxes on a daily basis and will be necessary to keep tabs on last-minute launch details. Employees with cellphones will even have access to a special subscription that delivers brief versions of the notices to their handsets in off hours.

Regardless of the rush, all employees are expected to be in top form by Friday, knowing as much as possible before the device goes on sale.

"We all have a huge stake in the success of iPhone," AT&T says. "[We want] to make you a great ambassador for this game-changing product."

First iPhone accessories turn up at AT&T retail stores

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[Elijahg]

Good luck to all those AT&T employees...

[aplnub]

I nice plastic snap in case like Blackberry's have would be nice.

And good luck to the AT&T people while Mac nerds swarm, swarm, swarm...

[coolfactor]

gawd, I hope the lineups are how AT&T expects them to be. It'll be horrible if nobody shows up.

[TednDi]

The third coming of JOBS!

on Monday July 2 the stock price will be stratospheric!!

[kresh]

Small Child: "Grandpa, I have a report for school. Do you remember what you were doing on 9/11, you know the airplane thing?"

Me: "Hmm. Let me think... Sorry child I can't remember. Wait! I've got something better. Let me tell you about 6/29, oh child, what a glorious day. I still remember it like it was yesterday. It was the day that the first iPhone went on sale."

Small Child: "The iPhone Grandpa, what's that?"

Me: "The first real cellphone..... Why are you looking at me like that? Oh, I see. A cellphone was a little box we held up to our heads to talk to other people."

Small Child: "Grandpa, you are making fun of me. Everybody knows you use an 'Apple iNPERSON' to talk to people."

[steviet02]

Originally Posted by kresh

Small Child: "Grandpa, I have a report for school. Do you remember what you were doing on 9/11, you know the airplane thing?"

Me: "Hmm. Let me think... Sorry child I can't remember. Wait! I've got something better. Let me tell you about 6/29, oh child, what a glorious day. I still remember it like it was yesterday. It was the day that the first iPhone went on sale."

Small Child: "The iPhone Grandpa, what's that?"

Me: "The first real cellphone..... Why are you looking at me like that? Oh, I see. A cellphone was a little box we held up to our heads to talk to other people."

Small Child: "Grandpa, you are making fun of me. Everybody knows you use an 'Apple iNPERSON' to talk to people."

I'm all for irony and a little black comedy but that falls way short of tasteful. Maybe if someone you knew died in that horrific event you would think twice before posting that trash.

[kresh]

Originally Posted by steviet02

I'm all for irony and a little black comedy but that falls way short of tasteful. Maybe if someone you knew died in that horrific event you would think twice before posting that trash.

Wasn't meant to be offensive, but true to real life. We tend to forget the bad things in life, while cherishing the good.

[meelash]

Originally Posted by steviet02

I'm all for irony and a little black comedy but that falls way short of tasteful. Maybe if someone you knew died in that horrific event you would think twice before posting that trash.

It's not irony, it's sarcasm.

[meelash]

Originally Posted by coolfactor

gawd, I hope the lineups are how AT&T expects them to be. It'll be horrible if nobody shows up.

If they had any fear of this, all they would have to announce is a drawing for one free iPhone. That would bring thousands. But they seem to be confident in its crowd-drawing ability, all the same.

[Joe_the_dragon]

Originally Posted by meelash

If they had any fear of this, all they would have to announce is a drawing for one free iPhone. That would bring thousands. But they seem to be confident in its crowd-drawing ability, all the same.

It would even more even more horrible If there is a big line and all of the people don't buy the iphone after finding out there you have to buy a 2 year $100+ month plan with it.

[wilco]

Originally Posted by meelash

It's not irony, it's sarcasm.

All this statement does is show that you don't know the definition of either word.

[John the Geek]

Originally Posted by steviet02

I'm all for irony and a little black comedy but that falls way short of tasteful. Maybe if someone you knew died in that horrific event you would think twice before posting that trash.

Oh, give it a rest. 9/11 will pass. Eventually no one will give it a thought. We'll likely group it in with memorial day or something and get over it. That's what people do, we move on. It's healthy.

My grandfather doesn't get all worked up when people don't appreciate Pearl Harbor. Time heals wounds and we move on.

Now I don't think that the iPhone product launch will leave such a lasting mark, but that was the humor of the whole comment. It's satire.

[cameronj]

Originally Posted by steviet02

I'm all for irony and a little black comedy but that falls way short of tasteful. Maybe if someone you knew died in that horrific event you would think twice before posting that trash.

Oh come on! I'd say get a sense of humor but it's not even that... get a life! Do you want people to go on forever never mentioning that one event? Thousands of people die in catastrophic events dozens of times every year. Get over it.

[k2director]

People do move on, and that is healthy, but the smart ones remember the past to honor it and learn from it. I seriously doubt many Americans will "get over" 9/11 in our lifetime, much less as fast as some of the members here have done....

Anyway, I'm getting nervous that AT&T is taking so many public steps to prepare for huge crowds. Apple would have a big hit on its hands if the iPhone simply sold briskly, day after day. Expecting a summer season of big crowds seems a little unrealistic, and could hurt the iPhone's image if those crowds don't show up.

In the end, I think Apple knows what its doing regarding this launch. I'm not sure that AT&T is quite there yet.

[EruIthildur]

Originally Posted by wilco

All this statement does is show that you don't know the definition of either word.

The wilco rolls on...

Originally Posted by steviet02

I'm all for irony and a little black comedy but that falls way short of tasteful. Maybe if someone you knew died in that horrific event you would think twice before posting that trash.

It was actually quite tasteful and fits the current hype well. As was said, people rarely dwell on the evil. Typically it only remains if a minority group was persecuted or something. How often do you hear about the fall of Constantinople 'remembered' by everyone. Thousands of people surely died from that. Before you sound off, I not to long ago had a relative killed by being run over on a motorcycle because a big rig ran a red. I am sad that he died, but if someone made a wise-crack about inattentive driving I wouldn't flip out. If you don't bother to read my comment carefully to see the three major connections I'm drawing it won't make sense, and if so, don't bother responding.

Originally Posted by kresh

Small Child: "Grandpa, I have a report for school. Do you remember what you were doing on 9/11, you know the airplane thing?"

Me: "Hmm. Let me think... Sorry child I can't remember. Wait! I've got something better. Let me tell you about 6/29, oh child, what a glorious day. I still remember it like it was yesterday. It was the day that the first iPhone went on sale."

Small Child: "The iPhone Grandpa, what's that?"

Me: "The first real cellphone..... Why are you looking at me like that? Oh, I see. A cellphone was a little box we held up to our heads to talk to other people."

Small Child: "Grandpa, you are making fun of me. Everybody knows you use an 'Apple iNPERSON' to talk to people."

Haha, that was funny, made me laugh in the midst of writing code...

[Johnny Mozzarella]

I think a better analogy for the introduction of the iPhone is the introduction of color television.
While mobile phones have been around for a long time, no one cell phone has been dominant or revolutionized the mobile communications experience in the way that I believe the iPhone will.

I predict that in 5 years AT&T stores will sell at least 3 models of iPhones and won't offer many other phones to choose from. I see AT&T being able to offer better service by focusing primarily on the iPhone platform. At the same time being more profitable because they don't have to stock and support so many different phones.

[ajhill]

Originally Posted by Joe_the_dragon

It would even more even more horrible If there is a big line and all of the people don't buy the iphone after finding out there you have to buy a 2 year $100+ month plan with it.

The voice/data plan is the last "Kiler App" You are correct, at $100+ there will be a very small, if any line. But with plans starting in the 400min/unlimited Edge $70-75/month range there will be a line and a big one at that. Contrary to what the PC Fan Boys might think we Apple enthusiasts won't pay $100+/month to use a great phone on an average network. It's just not going to happen, no matter how much we appreciate Apple designed products.

Give us a great phone, on an okay network at a reasonable price and you'll have lines out the door.

[anantksundaram]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mozzarella

I think a better analogy for the introduction of the iPhone is the introduction of color television.

Brilliant analogy.

The beauty of it is, there's perhaps nothing new in its individual elements (200 patents notwithstanding). It's all about how a whole salmagundi takes it all to the next level of adoption and use.

[taelon]

Although I agree that people tend to forget the horrible, one should be more sensitive. We are not very far past 9/11 and I lost my best friend in the second plane that hit the World Trade Centers...

[Zakalwe]

Just want to say guys that Kresh's post could be seen in a completely different way (not sure if he meant it this way ). It could be that he was trying to point out how some people are very, very shallow and geeky, and have their head in the clouds about current events, but remember where they were when the winner of the first Pop Idol was announced (or some wuch similar). Maybe he actually deeply respects what happened on 9/11, I think personally it was terrible, but as others have said attrocities happen everyday. It also doesn't justify everything that follows, or someone deciding to lay the forum smack down on someone because they mention it...

There - sorry guys. I know thats isn't what this is about but thought that it needed to be said. I'm a Mac newbie by the way, just bought my first mac (am loving it) and reading these forums were really helpful in my decision making, so cheers everyone

P.S. Being a brit I personally think the iPhone is a beautiful, highly desirable, highly priced, piece of kit....(you know like apple stuff is ). Personally would not buy one unless the contract discount is high... and then never use the bloody thing in public...!

[Louzer]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mozzarella

I think a better analogy for the introduction of the iPhone is the introduction of color television.
While mobile phones have been around for a long time, no one cell phone has been dominant or revolutionized the mobile communications experience in the way that I believe the iPhone will.

I predict that in 5 years AT&T stores will sell at least 3 models of iPhones and won't offer many other phones to choose from. I see AT&T being able to offer better service by focusing primarily on the iPhone platform. At the same time being more profitable because they don't have to stock and support so many different phones.

Of course, it always help to think that its an apple product that's going to redefine an industry. BTW, who remembers who first came out with color TV? Yeah, you may want to think about that.

And in 5 years, they're still going to stock as many phones. Why not? Just because some people think the iPhone is the greatest thing ever? Its still going to be an expensive product (its apple, of course it is), and there's a lot of people who don't need or want a fancy, expensive iPhone.

Oh, and in 5 years, the contract is up, so AT&T better have some other phones, because if Apple goes to Verizon (oh, right, I should warn you that the other carriers will probably still be around, although I understand everyone here thinks they're all out of business come July 1) or the like.

[Louzer]

Originally Posted by kresh

Wasn't meant to be offensive, but true to real life. We tend to forget the bad things in life, while cherishing the good.

Sorry, that's not even close to being correct. People remember to this day where they were on Dec 7, 1941, they remember where they were when they heard JFK was shot, they'll remember where they were when they first heard what happened on 9/11.

You remember that which is affects you emotionally, regardless of it being good or bad.

Oh, and it wasn't that funny, and I doubt anyone would want any type of device embedded into their person.

[nvidia2008]

Again, only on bloody AppleInsider. iPhone Preparations turns suddenly into how we should or shouldn't remember 9/11. ...Please, I aim to understand all sides regarding this event, but please take it to AppleOutsider. Look, I even made a thread for you all and here is the link. Honestly, please go there and hash it out. I also made the title as controversial as possible for you all to go nuts on:

iPhone Event 6/29 will make us forget 9/11
http://forums.appleinsider.com/showthread.php?t=75874

[GQB]

Originally Posted by kresh

Wasn't meant to be offensive, but true to real life. We tend to forget the bad things in life, while cherishing the good.

Remember... "9/11" Is a wholly owned trademark. Permission must be obtained to use it, unless you're running for political office.

[DaveGee]

Originally Posted by meelash

it's sarcasm.

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Dave

[Louzer]

Originally Posted by nvidia2008

Again, only on bloody AppleInsider. iPhone Preparations turns suddenly into how we should or shouldn't remember 9/11. ...Please, I aim to understand all sides regarding this event, but please take it to AppleOutsider. Look, I even made a thread for you all and here is the link. Honestly, please go there and hash it out. I also made the title as controversial as possible for you all to go nuts on:

iPhone Event 6/29 will make us forget 9/11
http://forums.appleinsider.com/showthread.php?t=75874

I think the problem here is that with all the 'talk' about the iphone, there's really nothing to say. No one really knows anything about it. Its just as easy can be a flop as a hit. Even trying to figure out any of its features is mostly guesswork. So its easy to get distracted.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by meelash

It's not irony, it's sarcasm.

I wish people would stop calling everything sarcasm.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by Louzer

Sorry, that's not even close to being correct. People remember to this day where they were on Dec 7, 1941, they remember where they were when they heard JFK was shot, they'll remember where they were when they first heard what happened on 9/11.

You remember that which is affects you emotionally, regardless of it being good or bad.

That's true.

I still remember walking down the hall, going to class, in junior high school, when a student shouted that Kennedy had been shot. I didn't believe it, and only after sitting down at my desk, when the teacher told us, did it sink in.

How could that be forgotten?

Oh, and it wasn't that funny, and I doubt anyone would want any type of device embedded into their person.

Mildly amusing.

But, I am convinced that embedded devices will become common. People are already embedding transcievers under their skin that automatically opens encoded doors and such. Pacemakers have been around for decades.

Other artificial organs are either out, or are being planned. Artificial knees, etc.

As time goes on, we will become used to the idea.

I have even more radical concepts.

[macinthe408]

I've read a ton of these at&t iDay postings, and none of them have mentioned anything about how long it will take to register EACH customer.

If a 2-year agreement is necessary--meaning that you can't buy an iPhone outright without a service plan and contract--that means the actual purchase transaction is going to take 15-30 minutes. And that's being VERY optimistic.

The few times that I've purchased a phone and had to perform some account activity, it took FOREVER. They usually have to manually call in and change ESNs, SKUs, SIM card numbers, etc., and there is always something happening that prevents the process from going smoothly.

It's not going to be as simple as walking in, asking for an iPhone, giving them your cash, then walking out.

I predict chaos and mayhem, making the PS3 launch look like a church sermon.

[Kickaha]

Dunno - one thing that has been rumored is using an iTunes account to register the wee beastie. If that's the case, then go in, plunk down your cash, and register it yourself when you get home. I'll be shocked if it *is* the case, but hey, we can dream...

[Guybrush Threepwood]

The iPhone launch couldn't hold "Tickle Me Elmo's" jock strap...

[melgross]

Originally Posted by Kickaha

Dunno - one thing that has been rumored is using an iTunes account to register the wee beastie. If that's the case, then go in, plunk down your cash, and register it yourself when you get home. I'll be shocked if it *is* the case, but hey, we can dream...

Having to get an itunes account did seem to be a bit fishy. I guess it's another way Apple is trying to get us to buy stuff.

As Apple is now the third largest music reseller in the US, they feel that a bunch of people already are signed up, or won't mind signing up.

Some people will resent it though.

[Kickaha]

I'm sure they will. If it weren't for the rather obvious standardization of a software distribution channel that it represents, I'd be skeptical too. On Day One, it may be how you register. In the future, I suspect it'll be how you download iPhone-approved software. Just speculation.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by Kickaha

I'm sure they will. If it weren't for the rather obvious standardization of a software distribution channel that it represents, I'd be skeptical too. On Day One, it may be how you register. In the future, I suspect it'll be how you download iPhone-approved software. Just speculation.

It sounds logical.

[Louzer]

Originally Posted by melgross

I wish people would stop calling everything sarcasm.

Hey, give him a break. He was being sarcastic.

[Kickaha]

Originally Posted by Louzer

Hey, give him a break. He was being sarcastic.

Isn't it ironic?

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by steviet02

I'm all for irony and a little black comedy but that falls way short of tasteful. Maybe if someone you knew died in that horrific event you would think twice before posting that trash.

Originally Posted by taelon

Although I agree that people tend to forget the horrible, one should be more sensitive. We are not very far past 9/11 and I lost my best friend in the second plane that hit the World Trade Centers...

I am really sorry about that, it was a sad day for a lot of people. Still, it's been five and a half years.

Originally Posted by macinthe408

I predict chaos and mayhem, making the PS3 launch look like a church sermon.

I really don't remember there being any problems with the PS3 launch, though I don't keep track that much. I do know that there still isn't a very steady supply of Wii.

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by JeffDM

...I really don't remember there being any problems with the PS3 launch, though I don't keep track that much. I do know that there still isn't a very steady supply of Wii.

Let's just say that the PS3 and Wii launches will be, well, ancient, ancient history come the next few days.

[Joseph_xxl]

As much as I want the iphone the big rush or panic to get one is confusing. - It's not like not like Apple is going to stop selling the phone on July 1st, it's here to stay!