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Apple Expanding Enterprise Efforts, Developing Dedicated Sales Force

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Apr 12, 2001
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Apple is planning an aggressive expansion into the enterprise market, hiring a sales team focused on talking with key enterprise customers, reports Reuters. The sales team may also work alongside "a dozen or so" app developers.

Apple is said to have formed partnerships with several app development startups, including ServiceMax and PlanGrid, both of which build customized industry-specific apps. ServiceMax, for example, already has customers that could be valuable to Apple, including Procter & Gamble and DuPont. Apple is also pursing other relationships with similar corporate app developers, possibly for an initiative aimed at providing custom-made apps for corporate customers.

applebusiness.jpg
Apps developers and other sources familiar with Apple's plans who could not speak publicly provided additional details on how the iPhone maker is working behind the scenes.

The iPhone maker has worked closely with a group of startups, including ServiceMax and PlanGrid, that already specialize in selling apps to corporate America. The two people familiar with the plans, but who could not speak publicly about them, say Apple is already in talks with other mobile enterprise developers to bring them into a more formal partnership.
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In addition to forming partnerships with app developers, Apple is also said to be sending sales teams to speak with the chief information officers of major companies, including Citigroup, which is already in talks to sign up for an enterprise package with Apple.

Earlier this year, Apple announced a major enterprise-focused partnership with IBM, with IBM selling iOS devices to its corporate customers and developing more than 100 industry-specific native apps that are built from the ground up for the iPhone and the iPad in six sectors: banking, government, insurance, retail, travel, transportation, and telecommunications. According to the most recent earnings call, IBM's first apps will be coming before the end of the year. Apple has also developed a special AppleCare for Enterprise, which includes on-site repairs handled by IBM.

Apple's major enterprise push may be an effort to boost flagging iPad sales by attracting a new market and introducing new use cases. iPad sales have been on the decline in recent months, and during its October earnings call, Apple announced sales were down for the third straight quarter in a row.

Article Link: Apple Expanding Enterprise Efforts, Developing Dedicated Sales Force
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2014/11/10/apple-expanding-enterprise-focus/
I like how Craig Federighi always points out the "couple of enterprise folks in the audience."

But seriously it would be nice to see more Macs in businesses and Fortune 500 cubicles. Or bring back the Xserve.
 
MacRumors said:
iPad sales have been on the decline in recent months, and during its October earnings call, Apple announced sales were down for the third straight quarter in a row.
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No surprise there. Apple has failed to innovate with the iPads. They can't even adapt iOS to work properly on it, as proved by the silly nine icons folders. The iPad N00b is not helping.

We need the iPad Pro, with a decent iOS suited to a device of this size. Until then, Apple's products are more toys than tools.
 
Maybe time for Apple to split itself into different divisions..?

Feel like the original customer base is being further marginalised with all the new directions Apple is going in.
 
No wonder Microsoft is making most of Office free on iOS devices.
 
My team wants to switch to Macs, but we can't because we haven't managed to get some of our C++ code to compile for OS X yet. I suppose we could just go with MacBook Pro's running 7. Or I could take a stab at compiling that C++ code (it's not my responsibility, but I figure I could handle that...)
 
I find this ironic since Apple's origins were to "fight" against enterprise kings IBM.
 
Apple has essentially ignored this market for a long time, and has therefore been essentially ignored by it. iOS has re-opened the door.

Beyond iOS, it would be great to see a Mac (mini?) specifically configured for enterprise, including expandability and price. Apple could do it if they really wanted to. Hope that's part of the overall strategy.
 
This is a poor post. They already had a dedicated enterprise sales force, it's just being expanded. Enterprise sales on a large scale really started with the iPod mini, when large companies who did not have any Apple products would buy them by the thousands for their employees for prizes or holidays. These enterprise sales teams, however, later transitioned to iPhone and iPad sales.
 
Bring back Xserve so we can write server apps. (and so the enterprise can do so in house).

Fire the productivity team

Fire the current server software team
 
If there's reluctance in the marketplace on buying ipads, it's simple. There are too many iPad models to choose from. We all want the best iPad available, but we also know that the accountants are going to insist on the cheapest version at work. The disparity between using my own speedy iPad Air vs using an iPad Mini from 2 generations ago will create a horrible user experience.
 
seamer said:
If there's reluctance in the marketplace on buying ipads, it's simple. There are too many iPad models to choose from. We all want the best iPad available, but we also know that the accountants are going to insist on the cheapest version at work. The disparity between using my own speedy iPad Air vs using an iPad Mini from 2 generations ago will create a horrible user experience.
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Ok and how is that Apple's problem that you have a stupid accountant that apparently makes all the purchasing decisions?

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Santabean2000 said:
Maybe time for Apple to split itself into different divisions..?

Feel like the original customer base is being further marginalised with all the new directions Apple is going in.
Click to expand...

They are better off just cutting off their original customer base when they stop making Apple money, like they did with the iPod classic.
 
Does Apple have a server OS?

Just selling workstations?

That would mean improvements in OSX and windows server communication?
 
Last edited:
Dekema2 said:
But seriously it would be nice to see more Macs in businesses and Fortune 500 cubicles. Or bring back the Xserve.
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There will be more Apple products, but not the two you mention. Businesses do not respect the type of expendable employees who work in fluorescent light-lit cubicle farms, if they did they would provide better conditions for them. They won't be getting computers that cost triple what a crappy PC would cost, and they won't be getting upgraded to 2 ply toilet paper either. Furthermore, its not all about money- Apple expects their users to keep updated to the latest OS or lose support, while business IT weenies typically still use Windows XP so they don't have to test any updates, ever.

Likewise, the Xserve disappeared because nobody wanted it. Apple's products shine in design and user interface, they have nothing to contribute to the world of backroom servers that are only accessed remotely. Apple understands this and will not repeat its mistakes. They still have the sales data to remind themselves. It's not pretty.
 
Some in my company are pushing for macs, but we need to resolve a few issues first. We can deal with the mediocre mail program because we can use Outlook on the Mac, we have more problems with some users on Yosemite not being able to use internet properly. That's a risk we cannot take. Updates are not always perfect, and it's OK to expect a few issues as long as Apple takes care of them and communicates with the people in trouble.. But the wifi connectivity issues that affected some users recently are scary. Some (maybe a little less than 10% but I can't make a reliable survey) are having very serious connectivity internet problems since upgrading to Yosemite. It's OK, it can happen, but only if the affected users feel that they are being taken care of. They are not. Apple is ignoring the issue and focusing on the happy majority that has no problems. Well that's disgusting and that's not why any people spent the extra money for when they decided to buy Apple. I don't think Steve Jobs would have liked to hear that his products are less reliable than Windows. Or that his Iphones are 4 years behind Android technology. Let's hope the issues are resolved because I want to keep using OS X. I love it. But I understand why some companies are not ready to switch.
 
From my personal perspective, I can't see that happening (i.e. Apple making any progress in the enterprise sector) in a million years...

Why? Because they're not humble enough and always pretend they know what's best for their customers. And that won't sit well with corporate IT deciders.

Plus, if MS pulls it of properly, they'll get both stationary and mobile equipment sales with unified Windows 10 once large companies still on Windows 7 (i.e. there majority) will upgrade.
 
princigalli said:
Some in my company are pushing for macs, but we need to resolve a few issues first. We can deal with the mediocre mail program because we can use Outlook on the Mac, we have more problems with some users on Yosemite not being able to use internet properly. That's a risk we cannot take. Updates are not always perfect, and it's OK to expect a few issues as long as Apple takes care of them and communicates with the people in trouble.. But the wifi connectivity issues that affected some users recently are scary. Some (maybe a little less than 10% but I can't make a reliable survey) are having very serious connectivity internet problems since upgrading to Yosemite. It's OK, it can happen, but only if the affected users feel that they are being taken care of. They are not. Apple is ignoring the issue and focusing on the happy majority that has no problems. Well that's disgusting and that's not why any people spent the extra money for when they decided to buy Apple. I don't think Steve Jobs would have liked to hear that his products are less reliable than Windows. Or that his Iphones are 4 years behind Android technology. Let's hope the issues are resolved because I want to keep using OS X. I love it. But I understand why some companies are not ready to switch.
Click to expand...

On the other hand, maybe Apple thinks that internet is outdated the way they did with floppy discs, CDs, DVDs, Firewire, Video editing programs and photo organising/editing programs. But it's sad to see so much creative genius and innovation be so inconsistent about their software.
 
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