IT Hates the iPhone

When I worked at walmart.com and was traveling to the home office once a month I found it amusing that I was not allowed to bring in a laptop made by Apple into the David Glass Technology Center. Seriously, the Security folks were advised to not allow them in the building. I understand that as a company gets bigger they tend to become more conservative; what annoyed me was that the argument against letting the machines in was based on “security concerns” that are baseless. At the risk of inciting a religious war (seriously, I tried using Vista this weekend...asking the customer '“are you sure?” more times does not make your OS more secure) I point you to the following Wall Street journal article from today's paper...

“[...]Indeed, the iPhone, which maker Apple Inc. says has captured 28% of the U.S. smart-phone market, seems to be loved by everyone -- everyone, that is, except those who work in corporate information-technology departments.

Designed with the consumer in mind, the iPhone is less secure than business-oriented smart phones such as those from Nokia Corp. or Research In Motion Ltd.'s BlackBerry, according to IT professionals. But that isn't stopping people from using the device for work-related tasks such as checking email, managing sales contacts and getting information about prospective clients. In fact, market researcher Nielsen Co. estimates that one-quarter of iPhone owners over the age of 18 pass their phone bills on to their employer, suggesting significant use of the device for business.

Many IT groups have banned the iPhone from their workplaces, complaining that there is no way to force employees to protect their iPhones with passwords and that they can't erase sensitive corporate data from remote locations if the device is stolen or lost. Additionally, they say the iPhone doesn't support the software many businesses use and that it only works on one cellular carrier's network.

But keeping the iPhone out of the office may be a losing battle. As a result, some technology experts say the iPhone could usher in a change in the way businesses adopt new technologies.”

“[...]Whereas software vendors and other tech suppliers traditionally pitched their products to high-ranking executives and IT managers, some are now paying closer attention to the technologies workers actually use.”

The iPhone has changed the way I work and has made me more efficient in general. I wait with eager anticipation for the software updates and the fruits of the SDK that are forthcoming. The IT organizations that figure this out will be more successful overall. Here's an investment strategy: find those companies willing to let their people have a say in what device they use and put your money with them. The company that invests in people first and customers second will win. I think.

Written while groovin' to Dusty Kid - Tsunamy