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Gartner issues caveats over enterprise iPhone use

Published: 12 Aug 2008 10:46 BST

…"accept the lowered overall security footprint that adoption will dictate or block the device from use", said Gartner.

The report also considers the implications of running iTunes in an enterprise setting — as it must be running on the desktop of every iPhone user — a situation that is not ideal for businesses.

Apple uses iTunes to automatically send out firmware updates to end users, "which could be an issue if the IT organisation hasn't verified what Apple has delivered", the analyst warned.

Gartner added: "We strongly suggest that enterprises use existing management tools to modify the iTunes registry entries to disable firmware updates, file transfers and other activities that could inject unwanted content into the enterprise, as well as to lock down the registry."

In the longer term, Gartner is keen to see Apple offer the option to "eliminate iTunes [as a desktop application] as a necessary component to access business applications and manage the device, as Microsoft and RIM have done".

Other iPhone "inconveniences" enterprises should be aware of include limited battery life, which on default settings — and only using the device for email and some limited browsing (not for any phone calls) — "seldom" yielded a full day of use for Gartner's testers.

The report adds: "Although we cannot confirm what is causing the battery life to be so short, we believe it to be Apple's implementation of Exchange ActiveSync and/or Wi-Fi."

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Testers also reported issues with attachment handling, as files must be downloaded before they are read, which Gartner warned "may take time". This stands in contrast to the BlackBerry, which gives users the choice of a "quick rendering from the server". Moreover, Apple does not support attachment editing.

The ongoing lack of cut and paste is also troublesome for business users and the analyst also claimed to have stumbled on some glitches with Outlook calendar and email integration. The lack of options to create sophisticated user profiles, such as 'meeting', 'car' and so on, was another gripe.

However, it's not all bad: the browser is lauded as "excellent" and the app store is also praised in the report.

The report concludes: "Apple has delivered an iPhone that is acceptable for business use at the appliance level. Most prospective iPhone users will judge the device based on consumer appeal. The App Store applications and the iPhone's excellent browser are supplemented with an email client, which provides acceptable business capability, with excellence in some areas."

The report adds: "Those who previously used a BlackBerry, Windows Mobile or Nokia smartphone device should note that the iPhone will require an assessment of trade-offs in hardware design and onboard functionality. However, each enterprise will view iPhone through its own lens, which will be heavily tinted by the organisation's security and management needs. Enterprises should approach expanded use of the iPhone slowly and with close examination."