Is the iPhone 3GS ready for enterprise? The answer is a qualified no, according to Gartner analyst Robin Simpson.
“It has Exchange ActiveSync, which enables remote kill, and enforces password protection,” Simpson said. “Apple has also enabled encryption, but as far as we can tell it’s not centrally controllable by an IT department.”
The iPhone 3GS was launched in Australia today. Existing Apple iPhone customers can access many of its features by downloading the 3.0 software via iTunes.
“It’s basically not enterprise ready,” he said.
The issue that many IT departments will have is that executives will bring iPhones into the business and expect that IT will support it. “The pressure is coming from senior executives and professionals,” said Simpson.
He said that because smart devices are so configurable, many people will simply do an end-run around IT departments and install and use the devices themselves without official sanction.
“You really need to give people the choice, rather than trying to hold back the tide,” Simpson said. “And the reality is that if all people want to do is email and calendar, then the risk is not very high to the business.”