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When the iPhone was released last year, it was slammed on all sides by analysts and CIOs for its lack of enterprise functionality. Gartner’s analysts pointed out security weaknesses, a lack of compatibility and support for Microsoft synchronization program ActiveSync, and the inability to run third party applications on the iPhone as the major barriers between it and the business world. However, announcements earlier this month indicate that Apple is ready to break into the enterprise mobile market and try to steal some addicts away from their Blackberries.

iPhone will now support Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and corporate security standards which will allow IT departments to integrate the device into their systems. New features announced on Apple’s website include:

• Push email
• Push contacts
• Push calendar
• Global Address List
• Certificates and Identities
• WPA2/802.1x
• Enforced security policies
• More VPN protocols
• Device configuration
• Remote wipe

In addition, Apple has started an iPhone Enterprise Beta Program, allowing businesses to test out 5 iPhones complete with the new features and the 2.0 software in exchange for feedback. The application page suggest that Apple is looking for businesses of all sizes with a variety of IT systems and email clients to put the new features to the test. The program is a brilliant way to not only market the product but also to iron out all the kinks in the new software before it hits the desks of Gartner analysts again (something tells me they won’t be on the Beta list). As the folks at Engadget put it, “If you get into the program, you’ll get to test out all those new enterprise features announced today, and provide Apple with feedback on how awesome everything is.” Seems expectations are high.

Perhaps the most exciting thing about the iPhone 2.0, though, is the opening up of Apple’s APIs and tools for third-party developers. This will allow outside developers and IT departments to create internal customized applications. This will open up the market for enterprise users and expand the appeal of the iPhone. The new apps will be developed using Apple’s Xcode Cocoa tools. As AppleInsider says, “Those tools will be very familiar to existing Mac OS X developers, and conversely, Enterprise developers building new apps for the iPhone will also become familiar with deploying desktop applications for the Mac.” Initially, the developer pool will be limited, and Apple will be charging $99 to developers who want to deploy free, commercial apps and $299 to those who create in-house enterprise apps. A small price to pay, by any standards.

As the beta testing reaches more businesses, I’m hopeful we’ll see reviews and critiques of iPhone 2.0 that give a better indication of the enterprise uses for this device. If Apple’s ambitious plans come to fruition, we’ll be seeing corporate execs pinching and tapping their screens instead of typing on miniature keyboards.

Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

By Haley January Eckels