Computerworld - The conventional wisdom is that enterprises aren't impressed by Apple's shiny iDevices, perceiving them as a consumer play. Is that a fair assessment? And if so, could it change in the foreseeable future? Let's take a look, in The Long View...
When it comes to business phones -- so the theory goes -- BlackBerry and Windows are still top-of-mind. When it comes to larger form factors, businesses supposedly want conventional notebooks, not iPads -- but they may be swayed by Windows tablets that are compatible with software they already use.
So, whither the iPhone and iPad in the enterprise?
Apple CEO Steve Jobs would have you believe that your peers are wrenching iPads from his steely grip, if this quote from the company's Q4 earnings call is any guide:
We haven't pushed it real hard in business, and it's being grabbed out of our hands.
Of course, that comes in the context of Apple's supply chain not being up to the job of meeting consumer demand for the iPad. Apple claims that it's an advantage being a monolithic, integrated supplier, but it often seems somewhat overstretched.
This limitation also results in a restricted range of products. For example, only offering the 10-inch iPad form factor, and confirming it has no plans to offer, say, a more wieldy 7-inch version.
So, whether it's legacy, compatibility, or Apple's inability to provide a 'full' range of products, there's credible weight behind the conventional wisdom. While Macs may have their niches, Apple's iDevices have little relevance in enterprise computing.
But wait. Hang on just a minute.
On the other hand, it's all too easy to conflate "the will of the IT department" with "what's actually happening in the business". In many enterprises we see iDevices coming in by the back door, if you will.
I'm reminded of the late-80s/early-90s, when workgroup software such as cc:Mail quietly crept into businesses, without being blessed by the IT priesthood. And we all know how that turned out.
Presumably this is the reality behind Apple's claim that iPhone is being deployed or tested by 80% of the Fortune 500 and iPad by 65% of the Fortune 100. Those statistics are suspiciously detail-free, of course, but could indicate a coming revolution from the inside.
And now what do we see? An agreement with Unisys to offer maintenance and other services to enterprise Apple buyers.
Wait, what? Unisys?
Yes, Unisys, that former bastion of mainframe -- and later multi-processor Intel -- big-iron. Spawn of Burroughs and Sperry.
Yes, Unisys, that promoter of U.S. job offshoring. As Unisys's Richard Marcello foolishly quipped just 11 months ago:
We were able to eliminate a whole bunch of actually U.S.-based jobs and kind of replace them with two folks out of India.
You are previewing premium content. 
Free Insider Guide
