The shifting demands of enterprise technology are creating a climate that is naturally suited to the increased use of Apple devices. The rise of smartphones, led in large part by iOS solutions, served as a catalyst for heightened Apple system use in the enterprise. The heightened pervasiveness of of iOS solutions has combined with trends, such as the consumerization of IT, to make Apple a natural choice in many settings. In fact, Dean Hager, CEO for Jamf, told Computerworld that the firm's research indicates approximately 75 percent of business users would choose a Mac if they could.
The rise of enterprise Apple devices
According to Computerworld, a gradual shift in Apple's strategy is combining with growing acceptance of iOS and Mac devices to change longstanding enterprise computing dynamics. Where you would have been considered somewhat overzealous to claim that Apple devices are critical in the enterprise just five years ago, a few trends are now coming together to make the connectivity, ease of use and comfort of Apple solutions more attractive in business settings. This change is evident in recent marketing and financial reporting efforts from the tech giant.
"Apple is showing a shift in mindset toward giving more attention to the sector."
Apple has been slowly, and with little fanfare, ramping up its device distribution partnerships across the enterprise, Computerworld explained. At the same time, the brand has added more content, including a variety of case studies, to its Apple at Work page, highlighting a growing commitment to getting iOS and Mac devices into the hands of business users. Rounding these tactics out, the brand is also increasing its mentions of enterprise-related deals in its financial earnings calls, showing a shift in mindset toward giving more attention to the sector.
The consumerization of IT is certainly contributing to this trend. With business users leveraging personal smartphones to get the job done, many iOS device owners find themselves wanting to fully integrate their phones with their work computers, something that is much easier when using a Mac. Furthermore, the widespread use of iOS-based phones and tablets creates a situation in which more people are comfortable working with Apple's operating systems.
These factors are just the beginning of the transition. The internet of things is also broadening the use and acceptance of connected devices in the workspace, and Apple's ecosystem creates accessibility that can be invaluable for enterprise IT departments. This benefit is particularly evident with Apple's new HomePod speaker system, which a separate Computerworld report posits could prove to be a major collaboration enabler in enterprise settings.
HomePod serves as example of Apple's ability to disrupt the enterprise
The Apple HomePod is similar to Amazon's Echo speaker. It serves as a one-stop device for connecting to various apps and services, and Computerworld thinks it could become a powerful option as the center of conference rooms. The news source said that beyond high speaker quality, a few features stand out:
- Siri access.
- iOS integration.
- Beam-forming functionality.
When used alongside the SiriKit, these sorts of basic functions can allow for a full conferencing solution that takes features covered by multiple dedicated systems and builds them into a central platform. With SiriKit, organizations could set up call recording with automated cloud storage, messaging lists and even real-time translation. Between the inherent capabilities of the iOS platform with Siri and the customization options, Computerworld believes businesses could turn HomePods into all-in-one conferencing solutions and do so relatively easily.
"Businesses could turn HomePods into all-in-one conferencing solutions."
This potential highlights the way Apple devices are pushing into the enterprise. They are so heavily focused on using Siri as an AI-powered personal assistant that they can offer convenience and ease of use that is difficult to match. As enterprise users demand responsiveness and flexibility from their technology, Apple has the potential to leverage its market leadership to gain a stronger foothold in business settings. The question now is not so much whether Apple devices matter in business settings, but is instead about if your IT department is ready to support them. If you aren't sure, MC Services can help.
We offer a full suite of solutions surrounding Apple device management, including custom mobile development, help desk support, Apple training, technology consulting and device management. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you keep up with Apple's growing role in business IT environments.
