iPhone 3: fit for business?

Posted on 28 Aug 2009 at 17:30

Paul Ockenden checks out what the latest iPhone update offers for business users

What's good about this email search, though, is that, as well as searching the messages stored on your phone, it will also (optionally) extend a search across the messages stored on the server. Once again, something that other platforms have had for a while, but it's great to see it appear on the iPhone.

The enterprise email facilities have been beefed up a bit, but the best parts are still heavily tied-in to Microsoft's Exchange Server, so that if you use any alternative enterprise mail platform you'll miss out on goodies such as invitations and many of the device management functions.

Amazingly, though, despite this tight integration with Exchange it still isn't possible to set your "Out of Office" message from the iPhone, which is almost (but not quite) a deal-breaker for me. I'm always forgetting to set my away message while in the office, and only remember when I'm sitting on a train or in an airport lounge and a whole host of work-related emails arrive in my inbox. Fortunately, for anyone who's running Exchange Server 2007, there's a neat little 59p app available from the App Store called Oofy, which gives you full and easy control over your "Out of Office" message - I can't recommend it highly enough.

I'm constantly amazed at the proportion of people working in the professional mobile field who don't realise that centralised management of iPhones is even possible

Other things missing from the Exchange integration include flagging messages for follow-up and task synchronisation. I use message follow-up flags quite a lot, so I really miss them on the iPhone, but I'd guess that only a minority of Outlook/Exchange users use them and I can understand their being low priority for Apple.

The iPhone centralised management tools have also been beefed up. They still lag behind RIM's Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES) or Microsoft's Mobile Device Manager, but there's a lot you can now do to control a fleet of iPhones (I'm constantly amazed at the proportion of people working in the professional mobile field who don't realise that centralised management of iPhones is even possible). New control policies available under OS 3 include stuff like disabling the camera, vital for people working in high-security areas, and the ability to set a maximum time for which the device can be left unlocked.

iHate iTunes

I can't help feeling that the one thing holding back the iPhone in the enterprise arena is iTunes. It's horribly clunky software - especially when running on Windows - which really doesn't belong anywhere near a business PC, and yet iTunes is an essential component of the iPhone setup. You can't officially activate one without it, and it's needed, too, for subsequent device updates - even for installing enterprise applications. What's desperately needed is a proper desktop manager for the iPhone, and I don't just mean iTunes without the music and with a pinstripe skin. It needs to be re-written from scratch with just those features business users need and none of the CPU-sapping rubbish.

iTunes needs to be re-written from scratch with just those features business users need and none of the CPU-sapping rubbish

On top of the device-management features provided via Exchange, OS 3 also supports WPA/WPA2 Enterprise wireless networks. Unlike the WPA-personal security you might use on your Wi-Fi router at home, the iPhone's WPA Enterprise security uses 802.1X authentication, which enables the device to work in RADIUS server controlled environments. You can also use certificate-based authentication for added security.

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User comments

Who in their right mind would consider iPhone over Blackberry in corporate environment. Tht company would be a laughing stock.

By dodge1963 on 28 Aug 2009

iPhone 3GS or Blackberry Bold?

Great article! I'm still wondering which device is more effective for business use, multiple email accounts and messaging - the iPhone 3GS or the BlackBerry Bold. I currently have both but I can't decide which one to keep. Any thoughts?

By bartenderonduty on 29 Aug 2009

3GS or Blackberry Bold

Bartender, it will all come down to two simple things, 1: Are the multiple email accounts in exchange? 2: Is the blackberry on BES on Internet Service

From experience of a very awkward client, I would look to go with the blackberry on the internet service for multiple accounts, however if you are connecting to an exchange server, this starts to become a nasty thing to sort out.

Any probs, give us a shout, more then happy to help.

Dave

By onedarkmoment on 29 Aug 2009

bartenderonduty "I currently have both but I can't decide which one to keep. Any thoughts?"

Get a life, you don't "need" either.

By dodge1963 on 29 Aug 2009

Down Boy

dodge1963, you may be right, I know you are but, Naughty Boy, down dodge, back in your basket, no more doggy treats for you !

PS. What's a "life" ? Is it 32 or 64 bit and does it support "Crossfire" ?

By Bikey2 on 10 Sep 2009

Who?

"Who in their right mind would consider iPhone over Blackberry in corporate environment."
Us... Our users don't get on with Blackberry at all. Our director still uses his old Palm Titanium and just uses the BB for making calls. He is thrilled at being able to use the iPhone now.

Paul:
iTunes - you only need it to activate and load updates to the iPhone software. We have a central machine for activating the iPhones and loading profiles (a nice tool), the users don't get iTunes on their work PC.

But they get a set of guidelines on usage (the big ones being apps and music bought on the phone are theirs and if the iPhone is taken back, the investment in apps is their problem - although they can get petty cash for essential business apps) and permission to sync the machine with iTunes at home - which has the added advantage of being able to sync their own personal contacts and calendars on the iPhone.

I use MobileMe and Exchange push services on my iPhone. I sync apps, music and podcasts on my home iMac...

I've used Blackberry and Windows Mobile devices on our server, as well as the iPhone and the iPhone is the most comfortable to use, IMHO.

I was using a WM phone, but ended up with an iPod Touch, syncing it with MobileMe, which synced with my Windows PC and copied all the changes over to my WM phone, because it was quicker and easier to enter it into the iPod.

The iPhone means I only have one device with me now.

A year ago, I went with the htc Touch Pro over an iPhone, it did the "professional" bits better and I didn't need the iPod side of things... What a difference a year makes. I got the iPod Touch when 3.0 was released and immediately stopped using my htc as my PIM tool (as stated above)...

By big_D on 17 Sep 2009

@bartenderonduty

At the end of the day, it is a personal thing.

Our users seem to prefer the iPhone and use it as more than just a mobilephone - a majority of our users never used the email, calendar etc. side of the BB as it was "too complicated"...

A few prefer the BB and will probably stay with it.

Whichever one you find you prefer using, that is the right one to stick with.

Do you prefer the keyboard or the touch screen? Do you find the BB interface easier to use or the iPhone's? Which one fulfills your main requirements better?

My iPhone is running MobileMe push, Exchange pusch and 4 other email accounts on POP or IMAP... It copes just fine.

By big_D on 17 Sep 2009

IMHO - Best Business Mobility tool ever

(But then I am a Small Biz Specialist).
Costs to implement - virtually nil.
No faffing with certificates, accepts self signed certs with two Accepts...
Remote wipe isn't there yet - but you can implement 10 wrong PINs and wiped (be aware people with small children).
Full mailbox / calendar / contacts tied in with an SBS server - Awesome.
As many POP / IMAP etc accounts as you can eat...

Let alone the millions of apps for it. (Some of which have business use, others, less so!!).

I recommend iPhones always unless they are O2 allergic...

Blackberries? Tsh... See ya...
Windows Mobile - At least they have touch screen (but still woeful).

'Nuf said.

Jules

By gingerinc on 28 Sep 2009

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Paul Ockenden

Paul is a contributing editor to PC Pro specialising in smartphones, mobile broadband and all things wireless. He's technical director of a combined IT and marketing company, which works on websites and intranets for several blue-chip clients.