The real obstacles to Apple in the enterprise donit include the hardware. Theyire a function of Appleis culture, according to David Sobotta in his latest Applepeels.
In a recent Computerworld article, all the reasons why Apple hardware is ready for the enterprise were listed. However, Mr. Sobotta always gets suspicious when the media falls all over Apple. In this case, perhaps the motive was to get attention. Despite the CW story, there remain underlying reasons why Apple doesnit function well in the enterprise, according to the former Director of Federal Sales at Apple, and theyire not related to the quality of the products.
- Sometimes, Apple doesnit communicate its most basic product features to the enterprise.
- Apple stops making products when they feel like it.
- AppleCare isnit a good match for most companies.
- Apple Attention Deficit Disorder. Apple moves on fast.
- CIOs are hard to shock and amaze. Mr. Jobs would rather amaze consumers.
- Enterprise customers cannot get advance copies of Mac OS X unless they are also [high paying] developers.
- For all the hype and secrecy Apple has put into Mac and Mac OS X, it hasnit substantially budged the market share.
In this reporteris view, those arguments have merit but must also be put in perspective. Organizations that embrace Apple products do so with eyes wide open, with particular goals in mind. Theyire willing to embrace Apple and its products for a greater end and live with a few annoying consequences. Apple has never played the corporate hand-holding game in the same fashion as other companies, preferring instead to focus on terrific hardware and software. They let nothing hold them back.