Apple Acknowledges Corporate IT Concerns

by , 9:50 AM EDT, June 20th, 2006

Apple Computer is well known for the secrecy surrounding new products, and the company recently acknowledged the frustration this creates for corporate IT buyers. Apple officials discussed the issue with IT managers and developers at a meeting in Sydney, Australia, on Monday.

Craig Bradley, Apple's Asia-Pacific head of developer relations, commented "People always complain that Apple doesn't give systems admins or systems architects enough of a roadmap of where our technologies are going."

Most corporate buyers want to plan two to three years out, but that's difficult to do since Apple typically doesn't offer product information in advance. Other computer vendors, however, provide information that makes it easier for buyers and consultants to predict company roadmaps.

According to ZDNet Australia, Apple's answer to the problem is the World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC). The annual event for developers and IT administrators offers a glimpse into Apple's grand plan.

"This is where we do speak about these technologies," Mr. Bradley said. "We'll be setting the foundations for our next operating system, which is going to take us through the next couple of years."

Despite the valuable information Apple provides at WWDC, not every administrator can attend. The four-day event is held once a year in San Francisco, and passes range from US$1,595 up to $3,500. Much of the information attendees receive can't be shared with other people, either, since portions of the event are protected by nondisclosure agreements.

Although WWDC is a useful event for developers and IT professionals, it may not be enough to sway some corporate buyers into switching to the Mac. Many companies rely on the long-term technology roadmap information that other companies provide when making buying and budget decisions.