Gartner's change of heart over iPhone in the enterprise

[AppleInsider]

Market 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.

Analysts for the firm were among those who expressed concern over some security issues immediately following its release, but in a statement this week said a more enterprise-friendly version of the handset's firmware and other planned security enhancements warrants an updated recommendation.

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.”

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.”

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."

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[iCarbon]

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.

[mr O]

… 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.

[Timon]

I for one would love to have the new Apple keyboard with a Air touch pad. Just please split the click bar.

[bigdaddyp]

[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.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by iCarbon

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.

Originally Posted by mr O

… 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.

Originally Posted by Timon

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.

[slapppy]

Is there a press release, PDF or URL regarding this statement from Gartner? Be great if we can have that to submit to the IT managers of our companies.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by slapppy

Is there a press release, PDF or URL regarding this statement from Gartner? Be great if we can have that to submit to the IT managers of our companies.

• http://www.gartner.com/

[crees!]

“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.

Obviously this dope didn't pay attention when this device was first released to what Steve and Apple said regarding exactly what it was.

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by solipsism

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.

It exists, but I think it's still a less ideal setup, requiring more hand motion, and more importantly, more hand coordination to do the same thing.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by JeffDM

It exists, but I think it's still a less ideal setup, requiring more hand motion and more hand coordination to do the same thing.

I don't think it does. My thuumb remains dead center of the button at all times and my pointer finger on the pad with my middle finger barely hovering above it. I have to lower it to get the Option+Click action. With a two button setup, which is sometimes spit in the middle or uses a smaller portion of the width of the bar since it's less often used., To accomplish the same task, I have to physically move my thumb about an inch to the right which requires the movement from my entire arm to some degree. This is a lot more motion than the ~1mm lowering of my middle finger. To each their own, but I much prefer this method.

[sapporobaby]

Market 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.

Universal translation = Apple paid us money to endorse it.

[ThunkDifferent.com]

This is great news for the Iphone platform. I am a huge fan of the device and the service in general. I like it most, because it keeps me connected at work, something blackberry could do, but not with my contact. night and day people. The iphone is the dawn of a new day.

-Thunk Different

[katastroff]

effect=noun.

affect=verb.

[EagerDragon]

Originally Posted by iCarbon

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.

Most large corporations are big time into security. The iPhone security features and management controls are completely untested, as a mater of fact they do not officially exist until end of June.

A real comparizon between Blackberry security controls and management needs to be made against similar controls and management features in the iPhone. Until that happens corporations will not take the jump.

Right now to them this is all vaporware and untested.

It is just a mater of time.

[rhowarth]

Originally Posted by katastroff

effect=noun.

affect=verb.

Though effect can be a verb too :-)

[Abster2core]

Originally Posted by sapporobaby

Universal translation = Apple paid us money to endorse it.

Get a life! We really don't need your attitude.

[MacGregor]

Originally Posted by mr O

… it'd be great if the remote erase idea would be introduced on the Macbooks & Macbook pros.

That AND the ability to triangulate its location!!!!!

[lantzn]

Originally Posted by sapporobaby

Universal translation = Apple paid us money to endorse it.

Kuwait huh? Why don't you go get yourself an oil enema.

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by lantzn

Kuwait huh? Why don't you go get yourself an oil enema.

Where the hell does that come from?

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by sapporobaby

Universal translation = Apple paid us money to endorse it.

Originally Posted by Abster2core

Get a life! We really don't need your attitude.

I do think it's a silly accusation, but nobody objected when people say that Microsoft paid for a position paper, whether or not it's actually true.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by JeffDM

I do think it's a silly accusation, but nobody objected when people say that Microsoft paid for a position paper, whether or not it's actually true.

I agree, it's not silly. However, they don't have to pay for it because even small updates from Apple make headlines over large updates from other companies.

[sapporobaby]

Originally Posted by JeffDM

I do think it's a silly accusation, but nobody objected when people say that Microsoft paid for a position paper, whether or not it's actually true.

I think it is completely silly to think that Apple is above paying to have favorable things said about it.

How deep down the rabbit hole do some of you actually live? The US govt pays journalist to write nice things and to speak favorably. Why would Apple be or any other business organization be above this? At the end of the day, they are trying to position a product to increase sales.

@Abster2core and lantzn,

Are you sure you want to make this personal? Until you decide I cordially invite you to foxtrot oscar.

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by sapporobaby

I think it is completely silly to think that Apple is above paying to have favorable things said about it. .

But that's not the problem, as solipsism suggested, it's silly to think that they need to. But if you have proof that they paid for the report, go ahead and link to it.

[sapporobaby]

Originally Posted by JeffDM

But that's not the problem, as solipsism suggested, it's silly to think that they need to. But if you have proof that they paid for the report, go ahead and link to it.

@Jeff,

It would be easier to get proof of someone else being on the grassy knoll than to see and actual bank transfer from Apple to whomever. The point is, companies pay all the time. It is the price of doing biz. The iPhone could really and I mean really be an in-roads into corp America with the right word here or there. I have nothing against Apple making money. Hell, they make money and this in turn will lead them to make more products that I might buy.

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by sapporobaby

@Jeff,

It would be easier to get proof of someone else being on the grassy knoll than to see and actual bank transfer from Apple to whomever. The point is, companies pay all the time. It is the price of doing biz. The iPhone could really and I mean really be an in-roads into corp America with the right word here or there. I have nothing against Apple making money. Hell, they make money and this in turn will lead them to make more products that I might buy.

If Forrester, and some other research organizations put out a report, they do make a note of the underwriter.

You're not really making a case that Apple really needs this. iPhones have been getting into large organizations just fine.

[sapporobaby]

Originally Posted by JeffDM

If Forrester, and some other research organizations put out a report, they do make a note of the underwriter.

You're not really making a case that Apple really needs this.

@Jeff,

I did not realize this was court case. However, I will preface or caveat before I post stipulating that this may or may not be my opinion, with subsequent proof in the form of a link, a photo, blood sample, etc... forthcoming.

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by sapporobaby

I did not realize this was court case.

I'm just pointing out that what you've been saying makes as much sense as Microsoft buying another company. There's no good logic behind it. But it doesn't look like you'll ever realize that.

[sapporobaby]

Originally Posted by JeffDM

I'm just pointing out that what you've been saying makes as much sense as Microsoft buying another company. There's no good logic behind it. But it doesn't look like you'll ever realize that.

Maybe I am wrong and by all means please do correct me, but I do not think many here have inside knowledge to the inner workings of Apple. Many can glean info here and there, and put pieces together to get an idea or rumor. WIth this being the case, everything here or most things are simply subjective opinion. My opinion carries no more weight than yours or anyone else's here. My inability to see your "facts" does not mean that you are correct. It just means that you see things differently than me, and in the end who really cares? Will you lose sleep over this? No. Will I? Nope. Will we disagree again? Probably, but there is always the chance that we will concur on something else. So with that, you can have the last word on this as it is really going nowhere important, I guess you have also reached this conclusion.

Over to you JeffDM.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by sapporobaby

@Jeff,

I did not realize this was court case. However, I will preface or caveat before I post stipulating that this may or may not be my opinion, with subsequent proof in the form of a link, a photo, blood sample, etc... forthcoming.

Though Lundy is judge, jury and execution 'round these parts if you break the rules it's not a courtroom. But this is a forum for lively debate. If you wish to make your point you have to at least supply some facts, even if the facts are there are support your speculation.

JeffDM is not disagreeing with you that this happens, but that Apple is in a unique position to not do this, at least not in this case. They had a keynote displaying all the v2.0 features of the iPhone which covered most, if not all, of the Enterprise SW issues that people have been complaining about for 6 months before its release. Apple—and specifically the iPhone—has enough momentum to and draw that pundits look for any reason to write Apple.

Vista SP1 was officially released on 18/03/2008, yet tech sites got more buzz over AEBS connect HDDs now work with TM and that Adobe may have spoken too quickly on being able to add Flash.

• Companies pay for pundit supported marketing
• Apple is not above such marketing
• Apple does not have to waste their money when the iPhone's forthcoming Exchange support is such a draw for pundits

PS:

Originally Posted by sapporobaby

My opinion carries no more weight than yours or anyone else's here.

Au contraire, mon frère. A well executed argument does weigh more than a poorly contrived one, regardless if it's inevitably correct or incorrect.
"It's Not What You Know, It's What You Can Prove"

[sapporobaby]

Originally Posted by solipsism

"It's Not What You Know, It's What You Can Prove"

Training Day?

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by sapporobaby

Training Day?

Yes and no. I don't who said it first, but I certainly said it before that move was made. Great flick, BTW; Denzel certainly earned Best Actor for that role.

[sapporobaby]

Originally Posted by solipsism

Yes and no. I don't who said it first, but I certainly said it before that move was made. Great flick, BTW; Denzel certainly earned Best Actor for that role.

It also sounds like an Al Pacino line. Can't think of the movie but for some reason I hear him saying it. Heat maybe?

[webmail]

Remote wipe for blackberry is pretty fantastic. I assume Apple will do the same thing:

For example, once you send the command to wipe, if it's online you will get a response code back when it finishes. If someone was in airplane mode, and even switched out the sim with your stolen phone, when the phone powered back up with the new sim it would check with at&t network the phone's hardwired IMED subscriber code, and would wipe/lock it up then (from what I've seen/read)

So basically unless they plan to keep it in airplane mode for eternity or not have wifi enabled ever, then they might be okay.

[webmail]

Some of the blackberry remote wipe features, that Apple will probably be modeling it after since it's through exchange:

SMS notification on SIM Change to predefined number (GSM only)
Recover contacts from lost phone (GSM/CDMA)
Remote Wipe the entire device/media card (GSM/CDMA)
Complete Stealth operations
Sends the device location information
Does not affect mobile performance in normal operation
Tiny installation footprint
Easy Configuration
Password Protected Settings

For apple I'm guessing they will have the advance of being able to pickup if somebody uses it on wifi as well regular gsm network.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by webmail

Some of the blackberry remote wipe features, that Apple will probably be modeling it after since it's through exchange:
...
For apple I'm guessing they will have the advance of being able to pickup if somebody uses it on wifi as well regular gsm network.

Of everything listed, only Remote Wipe is known be coming with v2.0. And that sounded like this feature will only be available via Exchange. Though I hope it will be available to ALL iPhone users through the carrier, or I might be setting up my own Exchange server at home just for this feature, if it's not financially crippling.

[mstone]

Originally Posted by solipsism

Of everything listed, only Remote Wipe is known be coming with v2.0. And that sounded like this feature will only be available via Exchange. Though I hope it will be available to ALL iPhone users through the carrier, or I might be setting up my own Exchange server at home just for this feature, if it's not financially crippling.

I would like remote FIND more than wipe but without true gps that would be be kind of hard. I lost mine the other day and it was on vibrate, so even though I called it, no one heard it. Damn loose fitting trousers, my phone fell out into the cushions of the couch at the office. After driving around town retracing my steps, I finally found it. I was really in a panic. I have become very attached to my iPhone.

[Abster2core]

Originally Posted by JeffDM

I do think it's a silly accusation, but nobody objected when people say that Microsoft paid for a position paper, whether or not it's actually true.

It is not only silly, it is criminal. As it is criminal for an investment company to receive payment from any public company as sapporbaby suggested.

[dasein]

Originally Posted by Abster2core

It is not only silly, it is criminal. As it is criminal for an investment company to receive payment from any public company as sapporbaby suggested.

Nor would anyone ever pay a dime to read their "research" ever again.

[akhomerun]

funny way of saying "we were totally wrong and thought the iphone wouldn't support exchange"

you had to be stupid to underestimate the iphone. sure, it could have been a huge letdown, but as an analyst you have to provide the most likely scenario, and i don't think saying it would fail in enterprise was very likely. the iphone has a REAL web browser that is the BEST mobile browser you can buy. that means a LOT to enterprise.

not thinking the iphone would have some kind of SDK was stupid, too. why the hell would apple put OS X into a phone if they weren't planning on using it?