Apple continues its march into the enterprise
Just 13 months after announcing a partnership with IBM, Apple has teamed up with Cisco to continue pushing its iOS operating system into the enterprise. Both collaborations are meant to tailor enterprise offerings for Apple devices. In this case, Cisco has pledged to optimize its networks for iOS devices and to provide “unique collaboration on iPhone and iPad.”
IPhones and iPads are already ubiquitous in many workplaces, but often they are not official parts of the enterprise network. Instead they come in through the “back door” as employees bring their own devices to work and combine corporate and personal activities on one device. By partnering with Cisco, which provides networking gear or services to 95% of the Fortune 500, Apple hopes to gain a more legitimate foothold in the enterprise.
For Cisco, the deal solidifies a mobile strategy that has long been a priority for the company. Cisco is a leading provider of Wi-Fi networking gearthrough Meraki, and the company has also purchased small cell provider Ubiquisys and partnered with SpiderCloud Wireless. Partnering with Apple extends Cisco’s reach into the device and application arenas.
“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,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, in a press release announcing the partnership. Cisco Executive Chairman John Chambers added that the “engineering and go-to-market partnership” will be of particular benefit to customers that the two companies share, because the “Cisco experience” will be extended to iOS devices.
Telecom services are a big part of that “Cisco experience.” Cisco said that the two companies want to help companies offer employees seamless integration of iPhones and desk phones, and that Cisco’s WebEx, Telepresence and Spark services will all be optimized for iOS. The companies described their vision as “a fast lane for iOS business users.”
Apple itself needs to be fast as it works to establish iOS as a dominant enterprise mobile operating system. Google is pushing hard to legitimize Android in the workplace by creating workplace apps that are secure and customizable, and can be separated from personal content on a device.
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