HSBC could order 200,000 iPhones
Summary
Topics
Global banking giant HSBC is considering ditching the BlackBerry and adopting Apple's iPhone as its standard staff mobile device, a move that could result in an order for some 200,000 iPhones.
"We are actually reviewing iPhones from a HSBC Group perspective ... and when I say that, I mean globally," HSBC's Australia and New Zealand chief information officer Brenton Hush told ZDNet.com.au yesterday.
HSBC A/NZ CIO Brenton Hush
HSBC has some 300,000 staff internationally. A decision to standardise on the iPhone on its corporate networks would likely lead to one of the world's largest iPhone orders.
"A decision on a piece of hardware like that would potentially be deployed, conservatively, to 200,000 people," said Hush. "You know, it's a big decision, especially when you have an existing fleet out there."
"But it's definitely something we are considering from a HSBC Group perspective," he said. "We always explore the potential application of new technologies and this is no different."
Should HSBC select the iPhone as its official corporate mobile device, the decision would be a major blow to Research in Motion, maker of the BlackBerry, which is HSBC's current standard staff mobile.
Most corporations passed on the iPhone when it was first released, due to limited availability and the device's lack of support for Microsoft's Exchange email platform. However, Apple has rectified both issues, and has additionally built a number of tools into the new iPhone 3G specifically targeted at corporate use.
Hush was recently elevated from an internal position to the rank of chief information officer of the local arm of HSBC.
HSBC's Australian presence is small compared to major Australian banks, but its global operations have a US$6 billion annual technology budget and a technology team of 30,000 supporting 300,000 employees.
Hush said he did not own an iPhone, however added, "I have obviously had hands on experience with them."
Heads of technology of other large organisations were cautious about the idea of standardising the iPhone for corporate network access at the time of its launch.
While one of Australia's big four banks, CommBank, today flagged its iPhone trading application as part of its $523 million growth strategy for the year, chief information officer Michael Harte recently expressed caution about the phone's introduction into its own networks.
Steven Bandrowczak, global CIO of Nortel, which has 30,000 staff, said he doubted whether his staff would choose the iPhone over its current device, the BlackBerry due to the latter device's superior email functionality.
However, Hush's opinion differed on this matter. ZDNet.com.au asked Hush whether he thought the BlackBerry had any advantage over the iPhone.
"No, I don't. I think [the iPhone] would change some underlying infrastructure considerations from an enterprise perspective. But [Apple] have been pretty smart with the design."
No time frame has been given for a decision on the iPhone move, with Hush adding that for his position located in Australia, the iPhone was a low-ranking priority at this stage.
The CIO, whose office is located at HSBC's Sydney headquarters on George Street, Sydney is just 500 metres away from Apple's new Sydney store, but he said he had not entered due to persistent queues.
"I'm blown away every time I walk past that Apple store, and there's always people queued up outside to get in," he said. "I haven't been in there. It's always too busy."
Talkback Most Recent of 23 Talkback(s)
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I see HSBC
receiving the really fantastic price they are looking for on the Blackberry
GuidingLight13th Aug 2008 -
My thoughts exactly
He will save the company millions.
TRIMTI13th Aug 2008 -
Yup...
...this is just fishing.
I'm going to wager now that HSBC will not shift to the iPhone as a preferred corporate platform.
Sleeper Service13th Aug 2008 -
Barbershop
Nice chorus guys. Do you do barbershop?
Harry Bardal13th Aug 2008 -
Nope...
...just reality.Sleeper Service14th Aug 2008 -
Can't say one way or the other it's possible I guess
What is clear too me is that this is great for Apple and the
iPhone. It means that it's popularity means that it can be
used as a club against competitors. Again assuming that is
what is happening and if not then it is even better news:)
Pagan jim
James Quinn13th Aug 2008 -
They already do in the UK
they get a better price for their Blackberry than another bank i know. It helps to know the Voda rep. The corporate price for a Blackberry in the UK is about ?40.00 which is very cheap.
deaf_e_kate14th Aug 2008 -
HSBC Could Order 200,000 HTC Touch Diamonds
Really, the title is simply not supported by the story.
We always explore the potential application of new technologies and this is no different.
...
Hush said he did not own an iPhone
...
No time frame has been given for a decision on the iPhone move, with Hush adding that for his position located in Australia, the iPhone was a low-ranking priority at this stage.
Hardly a ringing endorsement of the iPhone.
NonZealot13th Aug 2008 -
Well, off you go...
Why don't you try to sell them on your gadget de jour. Or, what would be more fun if you actually convinced them to buy all those iPhones they're contemplating. Think how much fun that would be!
zkiwi13th Aug 2008 -
Well after all your "issues" with the iPhone
I have to say that such a large outfit considering the iPhone
at all is a compliment to said. I mean I'm certain you've
stated time and again how the iPhone simply does not fit into
the enterprise and here was have one giving it the once
over..:P I would almost seem like people don't fully agree
with you on this.
Pagan jimJames Quinn14th Aug 2008 -
Go back to Jobs June Keynote
He talked about sectors of the corporate
world that did testing on the iPhone 3G
before it's release and Banking was in that
group. There is also a video near the start
of the Keynote where various testers made
comments about their testing. Some
businesses will be taking a serious look at
the iPhone. Might not buy it, but a
serious look is sufficient for the
competition to start pushing their R&D a
lot harder.
Ken_z13th Aug 2008 -
Methinks...
...she doth protest too much? Is'nt that the Shakespeare?
One has to wonder exactly why this "can't be happening".
Why it's so important that we know it "can't be happening".
All when everything points to "it's happening".
The agenda has been set. The agenda is the iPhone. The
hot topic has been chosen over the dull one. The headline,
to be used for bait, has been written. The line has formed
to contribute to the forum and validate the agenda.
All opinion that follows, both for and against, validates the
agenda, and contributes to iPhone buzz. The negative
opinions, and in particular, the vociferous ones, stand out
as being (somewhat) incongruent with popular opinion.
Most who purchase the phone, actually keep it. Go figure.
As a result, these negative opinions appear reactionary,
which in turn, further promotes the iPhone. Are we not all
elevated by the quality and number of our enemies?
The device has proven that it has a commercial products
most desirable quality... the inability to be ignored.
Apple (no doubt) thanks both supporter and detractors.
Keep up the good work.
Apple users, who've been on the losing end of a market
share argument for years, are now loath to adopt that tact
themselves. No, the PC economy is most threatened by this
Apple trojan horse. These champions of market share over
merit are fully capable of beating themselves into a coma
with their own blunt instrument.Harry Bardal13th Aug 2008 -
Very close on that
Methinks she doth protest too much
actually the line is "The lady doth protest too much, methinks".
As for the statement that One has to wonder exactly why this "can't be happening".
Why it's so important that we know it "can't be happening". All when everything points to "it's happening You dismiss their
reasoning too quickly, methinks.
What motive would he have to make such a statement at this point in time? Why would he need to, why not just run out and get them when they are ready?
Yet, in any purchase in which a price can be negotiated instead of a "set in stone take it or leave it" price, many people can and do use the manufacturer's competion agaist them in a bargining scenerio.
"I like the Chevy, but ya know, Ford has something a little better then this for the same price"
Then why aren't they in the Ford dealership today?
Look at the Price drop of Vista when some companies said "Linux is looking pretty good".
The price dropped and they bought Vista.
Why is it so inconceivable that the same thing could be happening here to get the Blackberry at a better price.
The timing, and the statement, itself points more in that direction.
AllKnowingAllSeeing13th Aug 2008 -
Still says a lot for the iPhone.....
If it's good enough to be used as a tool reduce the price of
another wares that is a compliment Not as good as choosing
it over the other but still it's not insult.
Pagan jimJames Quinn14th Aug 2008 -
He's been fooled by the advertising
here's a good youtube comparison of advertising vs real world
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaN1Nz1Dyls&eurl=http://goodexperience.com/2008/08/iphone-advertising-vs.phpdeaf_e_kate14th Aug 2008
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