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

The iPhone has always had fairly good VPN client support, but in OS 3 that's been slightly improved so you can now use on-demand certificate-based IPsec VPN connections. The device can also use pass-code based IPsec, L2TP, and good old-fashioned PPTP (point-to-point tunnelling protocol). It's nice to have PPTP included since many enterprises still employ it in their legacy systems, but client support is getting thin on the ground nowadays.

For configuring live devices, there are basically two methods available on the iPhone. For Exchange Server-connected devices you can push policies wirelessly to the device, which means you can enforce those policies fairly strictly. The alternative is to use the iPhone Configuration Utility on a desktop PC or Mac to build a configuration profile (basically, an XML file), which you then distribute either via email or a web page. Obviously, employing XML profiles requires a degree of co-operation from your users, as if they know a particular update will restrict their ability to visit www.winkspider.com (I think that was the name) they might not be too keen to help you deploy it...

Encrypted profiles

A useful feature introduced in OS 3 is that such configuration profiles can be signed and encrypted, so once installed they can't be removed without an administrator password, and can only be overwritten by another profile with the same identifier, which has been signed by the same copy of the Configuration Utility. Don't get me wrong, in terms of management and policy granularity the iPhone is still light years behind, say, BlackBerry's BES system, but these changes in OS 3 are a good start at providing a platform that's probably secure and manageable enough for a great many companies.

I still long for an iPhone with a physical keyboard

Other OS 3 improvements include a landscape-orientated onscreen keyboard, available within email, notes, SMS and the Safari web browser. I expected this would increase my typing accuracy but, to be honest, I can't say it's had much effect and I still long for an iPhone with a physical keyboard. You'll also find that internet tethering is now available, allowing you to use your iPhone as an HSDPA data modem for your laptop, although at £15 a month for up to 3GB, or £30 a month for 10GB, you might decide it's both easier and cheaper to carry a USB data dongle.

I said above that the iPhone has so far been a great entertainment phone but not really suitable for enterprise deployment - has OS 3 changed my opinion? Yes it has, and I'm now happy to give iPhone the thumbs-up as a business device, if rather tentatively. There are still significant holes in the feature set offered (like that lack of "Out Of Office" control), and Apple needs to keep an eye on the user interface since some of these new features compromise the company's position as usability champion. But despite such shortcomings, the version 3 iPhone now warrants serious consideration by anyone specifying or designing a corporate mobility system.

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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.