Some of the hottest items this holiday season have been the latest updates to Apple's mobile device marketplace. Always on consumers' wish lists, more businesses are getting in on the mobile device trend and a push for these devices is coming from multiple sources. Despite that, it appears that Apple has been up to the supply challenge.
In a recent column for Forbes, Chuck Jones examined the lead-time for the iPad Air and iPhone 5s, Apple's next generation tablet and smartphone. This is the wait time that customers must wait for online orders through the company's website. He has been following availability on both devices since they launched over the last few months at separate press events. This included checking the lead-time for multiple markets.
According to the numbers, the iPhone 5s has seen the wait drop from 3-5 days to 1-3 days as of the close of last week. The iPad Air on the other hand experienced a similar drop going from 5-7 days to 3-5 days.
"Gene Munster, Piper Jaffray's Apple analyst, has been tracking the iPhone 5s' availability in 60 Apple retail stores," Jones wrote. "His latest findings published this morning show that supply has improved to 100% or that all models for all carriers are in-stock. Overall it looks like Apple has essentially caught up to demand for the 5s."
This means more consumers will be able to get their hands on Apple devices sooner rather than later. Because of this, companies will need to perfect Mac integration practices and an IT consulting firm that can optimize an iPhone and iPad deployment can become a valuable asset.
