Should MSPs Embrace iPhone 3G?
Now that Apple has finally announced the next-generation iPhone (known as iPhone 3G0, it’s time for managed service providers to formulate a support strategy for the Apple device.
I’m not suggesting that the iPhone 3G will bury RIM BlackBerry or Windows-based smart phones. And don’t forget: Dozens of Google Android devices are just around the corner as well. But the iPhone 3G is for real, and MSPs can’t afford to ignore it.
Yes, the iPhone still has plenty of holes. Enterprise application providers have been slow to embrace the iPhone. And as a daily user of the original iPhone, I must admit: it’s mainly a consumer play.
But that’s changing. The iPhone 3G supports Microsoft Exchange. And the device also connects to Apple’s new online App Store, which will allow users to purchase and download additional applications for the device.
Stocking Up
I’m willing to bet that the App Store within the next 12 to 18 months will offer applications — or applets — from IBM-Lotus, Oracle, Salesforce.com and Cisco Systems Inc. Yes, even Cisco — which Apple is starting to support more and more.
Over the past 18 months or so, Cisco has been keeping close tabs on the iPhone — and its potential implications for unified communications. During the Cisco ‘s April 2008 Partner Summit in Hawaii, the company demonstrated some unified applications running on the original iPhone, noted BlueWater Communications CEO Bob Cagnazzi, in this podcast.
Another key point: The iPhone 3G starts at $199, which means even frugal small business owners may give the device a look. Apple says the iPhone 3G will ship July 11.
MSPs should sort out support strategies for the device in the meantime.
I agree with you the key here is the support for Exchange – to augment that the inclusion of the Cisco VPN client by default on the iPhone, thereby opening up the opportunity to access to back end applications, will make the enterprise value proposition even more compelling.
I imaging that the drop in price should also make FMC based managed services solution bundles more attractive to the SMB as well.
Hey Will,
Personally, I’m still deciding whether to buy the new iPhone 3G and hand off my old one to my wife…
At first I was thrilled with the original iPhone and the out-of-box experience. Signing up for the cell service was a snap. But eventually, ATamp;T’s slow Web service started to frustrate me. I live on the web and need to see my company’s sites — regardless of my location.
So 3G’s faster web performance, and better email support are attractive to me… I suspect those 2 features (plus the VPN client support you mention) will allow Apple to push deeper into business.
Or, perhaps the better term is “pull.” I think consumers are pulling the iPhone into business, and that’s forcing corporate IT to react. Some businesses have foolishly tried to outlaw the iPhone. But that will fail, much in the way that businesses tried — and failed — to stop their young recruits from using instant messaging, text messaging, skype, etc.
iPhone may not take over the corporate world, but it now has a seat at the table.
Absolutely agree on your last point – the effect of the pro-sumer on the demands placed on the business department. We are taking our technology experiences as consumers and expecting to enjoy the same experiences in the workplace – whether thats the iPhone or their demand for business transforming Web 2.0 technologies when interacting with their partners, vendors, customers and colleagues.