HSBC bank may ditch BlackBerry for 200,000 iPhones - report
In what would surely be a blow Research in Motion, HSBC is considering a move that would strip its employees of their BlackBerry handsets and equip them with some 200,000 Apple iPhones instead.
"We are actually reviewing iPhones from a HSBC Group perspective ... and when I say that, I mean globally," HSBC's Australia and New Zealand chief information officer Brenton Hush told ZDNet.com.au on Tuesday.
HSBC is both world's largest company and banking group, with an estimated 330,000 employees globally. As such, a deployment of iPhones to just 200,000 staffers would be figuring 'conservatively,' Hush added.
"You know, it's a big decision, especially when you have an existing fleet out there," he said. "But it's definitely something we are considering from a HSBC Group perspective."
Other banks have been skeptical about unleashing the Apple handset onto their networks due to perceived inadequacies in email and security when compared to BlackBerry devices. Hush, who was recently promoted to chief information officer of the local arm of HSBC, doesn't share those same views however.
"I think [the iPhone] would change some underlying infrastructure considerations from an enterprise perspective," he said ."But [Apple] have been pretty smart with the design."
ZDNet notes that HSBC's global operations has a $6 billion annual technology budget and a technology team of 30,000 supporting 330,000 employees. Research in Motion's BlackBerry is currently the firm's standard issue handset.
HSBC is just one of over 165 Fortune 500 companies that have expressed interest in the iPhone by applying for developer status to Apple's iPhone software developer program.
"We are actually reviewing iPhones from a HSBC Group perspective ... and when I say that, I mean globally," HSBC's Australia and New Zealand chief information officer Brenton Hush told ZDNet.com.au on Tuesday.
HSBC is both world's largest company and banking group, with an estimated 330,000 employees globally. As such, a deployment of iPhones to just 200,000 staffers would be figuring 'conservatively,' Hush added.
"You know, it's a big decision, especially when you have an existing fleet out there," he said. "But it's definitely something we are considering from a HSBC Group perspective."
Other banks have been skeptical about unleashing the Apple handset onto their networks due to perceived inadequacies in email and security when compared to BlackBerry devices. Hush, who was recently promoted to chief information officer of the local arm of HSBC, doesn't share those same views however.
"I think [the iPhone] would change some underlying infrastructure considerations from an enterprise perspective," he said ."But [Apple] have been pretty smart with the design."
ZDNet notes that HSBC's global operations has a $6 billion annual technology budget and a technology team of 30,000 supporting 330,000 employees. Research in Motion's BlackBerry is currently the firm's standard issue handset.
HSBC is just one of over 165 Fortune 500 companies that have expressed interest in the iPhone by applying for developer status to Apple's iPhone software developer program.
Comments
It's only a matter of time after iPhone deployments will we see the trickle down impact of the Mac value proposition in the enterprise. It's logical to expect that Mac use will rise over time in those firms that deploy the iPhone.
Long Term = RIMs rapid demise triggers the long-inevitable conversion of Canada into U.S.'s 51st state
Or maybe not. What the hell do I know?
Short Term = Lots of initially excited end-users who will quickly become frustrated by all the "little things" broken (or non-existent) in iPhone's handling of various email, calendar, contacts, tasks, & to-do's compared to mature Blackberry options.
Long Term = RIMs rapid demise triggers the long-inevitable conversion of Canada into U.S.'s 51st state
Or maybe not. What the hell do I know?
About as likely as a surprise republican win in the next election triggering a swathe of northern states to leave the US and join Canada!
HSBC better not do this until Apple have sorted out all of the small niggles and got a fixed 3G chipset firmware installed. And a ToDo list application that integrates with Outlook (although Outlook's ToDo functionality is verging on pointless and dire, but then again I've used OmniOutliner...)
Of course, RIM and others can do the same, though it will take some time. Apple has blindsided its mobile competitors. And it explains why Apple kept its native app story and App Store ambiguous (or really hidden in plain sight) until it was ready to go.
The fact that iPhone continues to be "closed" is a sign that Apple is serious about enterprise sales. Going forward, there will be tension between enterprises who want iPhone to be more closed, and hackers who want it to be more open. And I think Apple is going to be siding with enterprises.
Until Apple offers an extend battery I do not believe that enterprise will be happy with the iPhone 3G. This is not a criticism, it's based upon experience.
You can buy extended batteries from third parties today. Are you saying it must be Apple-branded?
You can buy extended batteries from third parties today. Are you saying it must be Apple-branded?
True, but they're clunky solutions compared to just getting a spare battery out of your briefcase. If Apple are serious about going after Enterprise users they would do well to develop a "pro" iPhone with features that business users can't live without (like a replaceable battery) and maybe even a keyboard.
And I think Apple is going to be siding with enterprises.
Are you familiar with how Jobs thinks? It is not along the enterprise model.
You can buy extended batteries from third parties today. Are you saying it must be Apple-branded?
Enterprise will always prefer a company brand versus an aftermarket.
Or are you guys so well above them that they have come here to listen to continually disparaging rhetoric from the same individuals over and over again?
True, but they're clunky solutions compared to just getting a spare battery out of your briefcase. If Apple are serious about going after Enterprise users they would do well to develop a "pro" iPhone with features that business users can't live without (like a replaceable battery) and maybe even a keyboard.
a keyboard, lol
Long term: Apple is the new Microsoft. (just kidding... ?)
About as likely as a surprise republican win in the next election triggering a swathe of northern states to leave the US and join Canada!
Oooooh, something to look forward to when the Dems lose the presidential election.
I don't care if it triggers a swathe of northern states to leave the US to join Canada, but MA, that's a different story - See ya, Ted!
True, but they're clunky solutions compared to just getting a spare battery out of your briefcase. If Apple are serious about going after Enterprise users they would do well to develop a "pro" iPhone with features that business users can't live without (like a replaceable battery) and maybe even a keyboard.
I just picked up one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Amstron-PP33-E.../dp/B000U8F94Y
Pretty nice, it's just a little smaller than the iPhone and comes with accessories for attaching to other types of devices that take power over USB jacks.
I figure it will be a great thing to have when I am on a trip or in an airport. It has enough juice to fully charge the iPhone twice, so between the phone itself and the battery, you can get three charges. Something to consider for people unhappy with the 3G battery life.
True, but they're clunky solutions compared to just getting a spare battery out of your briefcase.
OTOH the iPhone is solid and less clunky than a phone with a creaky battery door hinge.
Or a battery door with loose or broken contacts that has to be taped on.
Or the phone that is dropped - phone, battery door, and battery fly in three different directions
Or the battery door that is firmly apart of the phone but extremely difficult to remove.
What many forget (or pretend to) is that:
* No OTHER phone is perfect.
* The iPhone has its OWN advantages.
Thus, while many like to suggest that "avoid the iPhone" is the only rational choice, it's actually more complicated than that. It can actually make SENSE to choose an iPhone. And those who fear for HSBC's well-being need not worry: I don't think HSBC is taking such a decision lightly. They're probably even smart enough to know that the iPhone keeps getting updates--so they can wait-and-see what improvements come in the months ahead.
Whether they ultimately choose BlackBerry or iPhone, I see no cause yet to doubt that their reasons will be sensible.
If it happens, it would add another high profile enterprise level firm who has deployed the iPhone.
"another high profile enterprise level firm"???
Names please- back up - thank you.