I just had an hour meeting with Apple, a nice talk about why they were happy that we had replaced our BES in our environment and moved to all iPhones. Since we deploy more then 150 iX devices (phones and Pads) they wanted to talk to us about "what's next" for Apple's corporate supports.. and let me tell you, it's the first meeting I've ever had with Apple where I thought: Ka-Boom.
Apple rolled out there: this is how we're going to change the way you think about this. Phrases I didn't expect to hear:
(1) We have a tighter relationship with Microsoft then Blackberry, and definitely Google.. we will are committed to being the premier exchange mobile client.
(2) We recognize that iTunes may not work for your business.. so guess what, we're introducing Configurator:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-57394116-263/apple-configurator-offers-easy-ios-deployment-from-os-x/
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/apple-configurator/id434433123?mt=12
(3) And we've got more versions of it coming to mobile deploy and wipe out iTunes from your devices so your users don't have it.. so how will that work? Oh, let's talk to you about VPP:
http://images.apple.com/business/docs/VPP_Business_Guide_US.pdf
Apple's corporate buy program with redeemable code on the phones, so while they don't have the store or iTunes, you can push content to them..
(4) a New revamped iPhone enterprise portal: http://www.apple.com/support/iphone/enterprise/
(5) Can't talk about this, NDA.. but DAMN
(6) "No corporation will have any reason, period, to chose Blackberry over an iDevice. None."
It was one of the most business-centric meetings I have ever had with Apple. Last year when we met with Apple, the tone was significantly different "you'll work our way". This year it was much more "we've heard what you're saying, and we're more committed to working with you.."
The biggest shift in tone I have ever heard from a company that I can remember; a basic "mea culpa" from a market leader. I know that sounds ridiculous, but Apple basically said: "we're going to eat crow, we were wrong, but guess what, we're going to spin around and be better about where we were wrong in the past then any of our competitors ever were."
Just... Damn.
Apple rolled out there: this is how we're going to change the way you think about this. Phrases I didn't expect to hear:
(1) We have a tighter relationship with Microsoft then Blackberry, and definitely Google.. we will are committed to being the premier exchange mobile client.
(2) We recognize that iTunes may not work for your business.. so guess what, we're introducing Configurator:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-57394116-263/apple-configurator-offers-easy-ios-deployment-from-os-x/
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/apple-configurator/id434433123?mt=12
(3) And we've got more versions of it coming to mobile deploy and wipe out iTunes from your devices so your users don't have it.. so how will that work? Oh, let's talk to you about VPP:
http://images.apple.com/business/docs/VPP_Business_Guide_US.pdf
Apple's corporate buy program with redeemable code on the phones, so while they don't have the store or iTunes, you can push content to them..
(4) a New revamped iPhone enterprise portal: http://www.apple.com/support/iphone/enterprise/
(5) Can't talk about this, NDA.. but DAMN
(6) "No corporation will have any reason, period, to chose Blackberry over an iDevice. None."
It was one of the most business-centric meetings I have ever had with Apple. Last year when we met with Apple, the tone was significantly different "you'll work our way". This year it was much more "we've heard what you're saying, and we're more committed to working with you.."
The biggest shift in tone I have ever heard from a company that I can remember; a basic "mea culpa" from a market leader. I know that sounds ridiculous, but Apple basically said: "we're going to eat crow, we were wrong, but guess what, we're going to spin around and be better about where we were wrong in the past then any of our competitors ever were."
Just... Damn.