Apple landing enterprise deployments
For a company that's not all that focused on the enterprise, Apple is getting pretty good at name dropping with the Fortune 500.
Apple historically hasn't focused on the enterprise, but there is some anecdotal evidence that it is getting more serious. Almost every quarter, Apple has been talking about its enterprise mojo. And every quarter the customer list gets more impressive.
Some key snippets from Apple's earnings conference call. Related: Apple: We're sticking with our Japan suppliers Apple's second quarter blowout: iPhones, Macs carry the day; iPad, iPod units light
Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer said:
iPhone is continuing to see strong growth within the enterprise segment. Today, 88% of the Fortune 500 are testing or deploying iPhone. With strong employee demand and custom app development fueling adoption, we are seeing great scale of iPhone deployments in businesses worldwide. In fact, hundreds of private and public companies worldwide are supporting thousands of iPhones on their corporate networks. Some examples include Cisco, Prudential, Boston Scientific, General Motors, American Airlines, Deloitte, YUM! Brands, and Xerox.
And on the iPad enterprise front:
Employee demand for iPad in the corporate environment remains strong, and CIOs continue to embrace iPad in an unprecedented rate. In just over a year since its debut, 75% of the Fortune 500 are testing or deploying iPad within their enterprises. Some recent examples of enterprises that are deploying iPad include Fortune 500 companies such as Xerox, AutoNation, YUM! Brands, ADP, Boston Scientific, Estee Lauder, Disney, Stryker, Prudential Financial, Rite Aid, and USAA.
The enterprise chatter led to a question about whether these iPhone and iPad gains were leading to corporate Mac adoption. Tim Cook, Apple's chief operating officer, said:
It clearly seems to be creating a halo effect for the Mac, and I think that's one reason we see the growth that we are seeing on the Mac. It's amazing when you see the 28% year over year versus the worldwide market on -- in PCs contracting by three points.
Add it up and Apple appears to be happy to collect enterprise sales even as it plays the consumer role. If Apple decides to put its weight behind corporate sales it's going to be dangerous to established players.