Some time ago IBM, and Apple announced their partnership – an alliance meant to rule the world some think; and now IBM is offering Macs to their employees.
In a strategy to broaden their public, their partnership will bring top-notch quality services to business enterprises that use iOS, and Apple’s new AppleCare for Enterprise. Several IBM employees have gone to Twitter to express their gratitude – it’s for the first time in the company’s history when Macs are offered to employees!
Many of us dread the idea of working on an unstable Windows PC – blue screen of death is mine nemesis!
Macs aren’t just available to a select few developers, they are offered throughout the whole company. Any employee that needs a workstation, or a refreshed one, can pick from a MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or a PC – those who pick a PC will be shunned, and will have to eat alone at lunch.
Their new devices will come already packed with Wi-Fi, and VPN out of the box, and of course a new software for security. This means that if you work for IBM, you just need to plug your new toy to the internet, and start working – or procrastinate all day on the internet watching cute cat videos; your call!
The IBM memo states that the company has about 15,000 Macs ready to be deployed to their troops through their BYOD program, and they are planning to add up to 50,000 Macs until the end of the year. According to the memo, it will make IBM the biggest Mac shop on the planet – and probably in the universe also; I don’t think there is anyone using Macs on Mars, or even Pluto.
Only time will tell if making IBM the center of Mac Universe will pay off. Last summer, when their partnership was announced, everyone was shocked by the news – mainly because nobody was expecting this, and secondly because it’s really really hard to make such an alliance between two of the industry’s giants. The products that IBM branded as IBM MobileFirst for iOS Solutions are being sold to enterprise customers, along with new services.
“ iPhone and iPad are the best mobile devices in the world and have transformed the way people work with over 98 percent of the Fortune 500 and over 92 percent of the Global 500 using iOS devices in their business today. For the first time ever we’re putting IBM’s renowned big data analytics at iOS users’ fingertips, which opens up a large market opportunity for Apple. This is a radical step for enterprise and something that only Apple and IBM can deliver.” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.
IBM and Apple will be working together in order to create exclusive apps for iPhone and iPad – retail, healthcare, banking, travel and transportation, telecommunications and insurance, and others yet unannounced. These services will be available in Fall of this year, and rumours are that they aren’t the only ones to come out of this unlikely partnership.
” Enhanced mobile management includes a private app catalog, data and transaction security services, and productivity suite for all IBM MobileFirst for iOS solutions. In addition to on-premise software solutions, all these services will be available on Bluemix—IBM’s development platform on the IBM Cloud Marketplace.” Tim Cook also states.
Apple is building towards world-domination, one might assume, and honestly, I’m not terrified one little bit – top-quality stuff from our new overlords? Sign me up any time!
MacBook Pro and MacBook Air available for IBM employees!
But what really bother me is if they manage to take a hold of the marketplace, will we continue to see innovation coming out of the company that is known for revolutionizing the industry? Or is Apple digging their grave one partnership at a time?
Apple is pairing with companies left and right, and when it doesn’t, it just buys them completely. That’s business, one might say, and mergers have been present since man first realized that by paring his club with UngaBoga’s club from the next village will increase both of their chances of successfully hunting their desired pray. But the thing is, we’re the prey here. Should we root for them? Or try to put a dent in their expansion?
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