In a deal very similar to that with IBM last year, Apple has forged a new hardware partnership with Cisco that will create a fast lane for iOS devices and apps into the enterprise space.
The deal will see Cisco networks optimised for iOS devices and apps and the integration of the iPhone into Cisco enterprise environments.
Apple and Cisco will also engage in what they describe as a “unique collaboration” around the iPhone and iPad.
‘iOS is the world’s best mobile platform, and nearly every Fortune 500 and Global 500 company today has put iOS at the centre of their mobile strategy’
– TIM COOK
Apple’s enterprise ambitions have been simmering for quite some time, propelled no doubt by the fact that executives are opting to use the iPhone and iPad as a matter of choice.
In July last year, Apple forged a similar global partnership with IBM that signalled Apple’s first serious foray into the enterprise space and which will see IBM sell iPhones and iPads optimised for enterprise mobility.
In December, IBM and Apple revealed the first fruits of their alliance, a series of IBM MobileFirst iOS solutions tailored for customers in retail, banking, insurance, financial services, telecommunications and for governments and airlines.
Apple’s ‘unique’ collaboration with Cisco
“iOS is the world’s best mobile platform, and nearly every Fortune 500 and Global 500 company today has put iOS at the centre of their mobile strategy,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.
“iPhone and iPad have become essential tools for the modern workforce and are changing the way work gets done. Together with Cisco, we believe we can give businesses the tools to maximise the potential of iOS and help employees become even more productive using the devices they already love.”
Apple and Cisco will work together to create seamless collaborative experiences around iPhone and iPad devices.
‘Together, we’re going to help teams achieve higher levels of productivity and effectiveness’
– JOHN CHAMBERS, CISCO
Specifically, Cisco will create experiences optimised for iOS across cloud and its collaboration tools like Cisco Spark, Cisco Telepresence and Cisco WebEx.
“Ninety-five percent of companies in the Fortune 500 count on Cisco Collaboration and Cisco networks to help their teams be more productive,” said Cisco executive chairman John Chambers.
“Through this engineering and go-to-market partnership, we’re offering our joint customers the ability to seamlessly extend that awesome Cisco environment to their favourite iOS devices. Together, we’re going to help teams achieve higher levels of productivity and effectiveness.”
iPhone image via Shutterstock
