Apple continues its push into the enterprise with a new Cisco partnership
For the second time in two years, Apple has announced another major partnership to help push iOS products into the enterprise. This time, a new deal with networking giant Cisco will create a “fast lane” for iOS devices.
“iOS is the world’s best mobile platform, and nearly every Fortune 500 and Global 500 company today has put iOS at the center 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 maximize the potential of iOS and help employees become even more productive using the devices they already love.”
“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 favorite iOS devices. Together, we’re going to help teams achieve higher levels of productivity and effectiveness.”
In the partnership, the companies will work together to improve the performance of iPhones and iPads using the business networks. Cisco is also planning to produce iOS-specific versions of its business tools like Cisco Spark, Cisco Telepresence, and Cisco WebEx.
Last summer, Apple also announced a ground-breaking partnership with IBM to help accelerate the business use of iOS devices and Macs. With a number of additions in July, there are now more than 30 apps in the IBM MobileFirst group which includes the healthcare, insurance, and retail industries!
