The iPhone for Business

With multiple commercials for the iPhone on TV every single

evening, the most recent of which have been targeting business applications, we have to ask – how ready is the iPhone platform for some serious

enterprise use? As consumers we have been absolutely canvassed with Apple’s marketing for the device. From its simple design and ease of use to

it’s now-lower price point – but is this really the enterprise platform to derail RIM and Microsoft?

Backoffice Integration

In one

recent commercial we see Apple demonstrating a credit card terminal application on the device, so that the user can accept a credit card payment for a

business transaction. What isn’t shown is how that order ties in with the backoffice applications that manage the order. Another segment shows a

shipping label being generated and printed – but how does the application tie in with the inventory management system or the fulfillment system? –

hint: they don’t.

Without that integration, these transactions are “off the grid” for the rest of the enterprise. Can you imagine the chaos

that would result from a field force of sales people taking orders without a systematic way for the orders to be fulfilled? The real challenge of

enterprise software is in the integration, to design a system to interconnect front-office applications in a way that streamlines business processes.

Hardware and Software Limitations for Enterprise

The iPhone’s lack of Bluetooth stack support for data input devices is a serious

handicap for the enterprise marketplace, specifically for asset management implementations. Adding peripheral devices such as bar code scanners, RFID

readers, mag stripe readers, and printers means all data entry must be done on the touchscreen. Without the ability to add integrated or tethered input

devices, we have only one choice – the fat-finger-prone touchscreen.

That said, the touchscreen is incredibly responsive and capable for many

data input tasks.  Even so, let’s not try to do a physical inventory without a bar code scanner, OK? Some of those asset tags might be

accidentally… tarnspoesd.

For other types of field services applications, the consumer-grade device construction renders the iPhone fragile by

industry standards for field services devices. Cracked glass screens are common for the device in the consumer space, and one should expect such a

phenomenon to have increased occurrence in the field services demographic. The iPhone is anything but durable, and screen protectors with silicon

protective cases are all but required to keep the device intact.

That leaves us with the enterprise office environment for a potential market.Â

For applications in an office environment where non-ruggedized hardware is acceptable, and for those without a critical need for peripheral data input

devices, the iPhone is a reasonable contender. Applications such as CRM, Helpdesk, Change control, Sales Force Automation, and perhaps even light-duty

Facilities work flow all seem feasible with the iPhone.

Conclusion

Compared to the established enterprise mobile platforms, Microsoft

Windows Mobile and Research in Motion Blackberry, the iPhone is still the underdog. While gaining considerable traction in the consumer market, the

iPhone platform is still relatively new to the enterprise market. Apple is targeting the enterprise market actively now, and it is clear that they

intend to make the iPhone an enterprise platform in the future. For now, that means somewhat limited availability of mission-critical software – for

example VPN clients. Enterprise email support now opens the doors for other application software to be developed for the platform, but just how long

will it take to cross the chasm? That’s anyone’s guess, and unless your organization has uniquely-fitting requirements AND is in the very small

“early adopters’” category, it may be best to hold off on the platform for now.