By bringing IBM’s big data and analytics capabilities to the iPhone® and iPad®, the Apple-IBM partnership could transform enterprise field mobility.
This July, Apple announced its partnership with enterprise tech giant, IBM. Within the terms of the agreement, IBM will create exclusive industry applications for iOS and use its services to bring iPads and iPhones to corporations.
The announcement made front-page news around the globe and will affect various industries and sectors of the technology world. We explore what the merger means for the future of enterprise field mobility and how your field service organization can take advantage of advancements on the horizon.
The Next Wave of Business Computing
While there were plenty of reasons to choose iOS for your field service app deployment before, with its partnership with IBM, Apple just got serious about enterprise management. Now, equipped with IBM’s renowned big data analytics, iOS users can use mobile devices with access to complex business data running in the cloud.
According to Re/Code interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook and IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, Apple wants to bring what it brought to consumers to enterprises: “We’re addressing serious issues that before this had been inhibiting deployment of wireless in the enterprise,” said Cook.
Now, with arguably the most reputable enterprise partner in the business, Apple, according to the Re/Code interview, has three goals in mind:
- 1. Growth
- 2. Remaking business and unlocking mobility in the enterprise
- 3. Unlocking the number one inhibitor to enterprise mobility—security
What the Partnership Means for Field Service Businesses Using Mobile
Whether you’re already using iOS in the field or you’re still deciding which operating system to use, the Apple-IBM partnership gives us some food for thought.
First, the alliance emphasizes the growing importance of and opportunity in enterprise mobility. According to a recent IDC (International Data Corporation) survey:
- Only 16% of companies take a clear, enterprise-led approach to mobility
- 41% of companies have an ongoing, enterprise-wide mobile budget
- 31% of companies have a comprehensive mobile technical staff
With numbers like these, it’s clear why Apple wanted to reintroduce their leading consumer mobile devices as machines that are also equipped for enterprise security and functionality.
With enormous growth potential in the enterprise realm, here are some core capabilities iPads and iPhones will see thanks to exclusive enterprise additions from IBM:
- A new class of enterprise solutions: IBM promises to build 100 new apps from the ground up for iPhone and iPad. Field service orgs should be on the lookout for enterprise app solutions that could aid mobile workers in the field.
- IBM cloud services optimized for iOS: The IBM Cloud Marketplace can support the iOS environment so companies using this solution will have access to mobile device management, app level security, and numerous analytics approaches.
- New AppleCare service and support for enterprise: Enterprise Apple support will be great for IT departments since companies can take advantage of IBM’s on-site service backed by the Apple 24×7 helpdesk.
- Package offerings for device activation, supply, and management: IBM will sell, distribute and roll out iPhone and iPad hardware for companies, which is a rare allowance from Apple. The ability to take a sale from installation to roll out to support will benefit IBM and the companies involved since there will be a smooth, one-stop-shop to obtain an enterprise mobile solution.
Will Apple and IBM Take Over Enterprise Field Service Mobility?
While they’re putting together a strong case for why businesses would benefit from their newly formed union, Apple and IBM don’t have the only enterprise options out there. In fact, Android has long been considered the leader in enterprise mobility. So while the Apple-IBM partnership could certainly threaten Android’s enterprise game, there are still benefits to deploying an Android run field service app.
In order to continue as an enterprise leader, however, Android may need to forge an alliance that offers a credible alternative and only time will tell how they respond.
Growing Possibilities in Enterprise Field Mobility
What we do know is that enterprise mobility is on the rise and the tech industry is fighting over who’s going to come out on top. All that competition means a push for better, faster, newer enterprise technology at a more affordable price. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to see what these tech giants come up with as they duke it out in the enterprise realm.
*Image Courtesy of International Business Machines Corporation
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*Originally published at MSI Data.