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Apple Forges Way Into Enterprise Computing, Just The Beginning

Ask just about any member of the IT old guard, and they will tell you that Apple makes excellent toys. The sober-minded executive of yesteryear would cast a skeptical eye at Steve Job’s showman-style sales pitches and fun, flashy technology. Subsequently, the exec of old would carefully sidestep Apple's offerings before calmly continuing on to what they considered more serious-sounding tech firms. However, there is a more modern take on Apple at work, and they are serious about their business.

In an interview with The Verge, former Window’s chief Steven Sinofsky confessed that when Apple unveiled their iPad in 2009, Microsoft realized they might have underestimated their competition. "The iPad and iPhone were soundly existential threats to Microsoft's core platform business," he explained.

The iPad was what Steve Jobs described as a third kind of device, falling somewhere between a cell phone and a laptop. Its robust operating system and long battery life make it appealing to both consumer and enterprise clients alike. Ten years later, most businesses now have Apple's technology working within their enterprise systems.

Sunil Patro, CEO and founder of India-based SignEasy, is one of Apple’s newly announced enterprise mobility partners. His application provides electronic signature capabilities for documents on iPhone and iPad devices. “We have a deep respect for how Apple works with partners to ensure users are always given the best experience on… [their] platforms. Their focus on beautiful product experiences trickles down to everything that they do,” he said.

Patro points to Apple’s commitment to user experience and integration across platforms as a selling point for both himself, as a service provider, and the enterprise customer. With a well-rounded partnership program in place, many app-developers like Patro can build robust solutions. Also, Apple has joined forces with industry leaders like Cisco, Accenture, Deloitte, and GE to provide products that drive business success. The result is a rich and varied ecosystem that helps companies solve problems, be productive, and collaborate effectively.

“Apple wants to increasingly deliver more value to enterprise users because of their belief that the user should benefit from the same experience and delight that he or she is used to on their iPhone and iPads at work,” Patro said. “Since they are one of the biggest consumer brands in the world, many of the enterprise users come across the iOS experience first in their personal lives.”

India is home to Apple's app accelerator – an onsite team based in Bangalore that assists app developers with building solutions for their platform. It's the first of its kind in the world, and Patro believes it’s an acknowledgment of India’s emerging role in the global tech industry. Currently, India is the most significant offshore location for IT services, and the demand for skilled workers is high. With more grassroots efforts to provide education and training opportunities afforded by companies like Apple, there will be inspiration for a whole new generation of India’s rising tech stars.